Andy Farrell has named a 36-man Ireland squad for the Northern Hemisphere legs of the Nations Championship, with Dan Sheehan named as captain. Ireland face Argentina, Fiji and South Africa in Dublin, and the squad includes two new faces while the Munster contingent shrinks.
Winners
Jamie Benson: This is a hugely exciting opportunity for the uncapped Ulster man. With Jack Crowley injured and Sam Prendergast yet to establish himself at the highest level, Benson has a chance to build on his skills and make a name for himself on the international circuit. His rise is remarkable, given that he was playing for Cambridge in the RFU Championship just three seasons ago.
James McNabney: Another potential debutant, the former grand slam-winning under-20s player has been a mainstay of the Ulster team for a couple of seasons. He can play across the entire back row, and at 6ft 5in he is an impressive physical presence who could be a real handful for international defences.
Mack Hansen: Hansen is back. After an elongated foot and ankle injury ruled him out for much of 2025 and 2026, the Australian-born winger returns to the Ireland squad for the first time in almost a year. With a few Connacht games under his belt this season, Farrell has recalled the charismatic Hansen to add go-forward to the Ireland attack.
Ireland’s midfield: There is a lack of youth in the midfield, apart from Jamie Osbourne, whose versatility often sees him play full-back for Ireland. However, the remaining four midfielders, Bundee Aki, Robbie Henshaw, Stuart McCloskey and Garry Ringrose, boast 262 caps between them. They are all getting older, but having that level of quality available at the same time is a dream for any coach.
Back row replacements: Nick Timoney, Sean Jansen, Ryan Baird and Cian Prendergast are all new to their Ireland journeys. With Jack Conan and Caelan Doris both injured, the quartet will likely get plenty of chances to earn a matchday spot ahead of next year’s World Cup.
Losers
Jack Aungier: The 27-year-old prop has made an impressive start at Munster since joining from Connacht in the summer. He has packed down well at tighthead in both the URC and the Champions Cup, but he will not feature in the Nations Championship. He played for Ireland A earlier this year, so he is within touching distance of the senior squad, but time is running out if he wants to push for a place at the 2027 World Cup.
Zac Ward: His brother Bryn is injured, so Zac will have to wait a little longer for his first cap. The Olympic Sevens star was called up for the 2026 Nations Championship Southern Hemisphere Series after Tommy O’Brien was ruled out through injury, but he did not make an appearance. He has played for the Ireland A side on more than one occasion, but the Munster man is clearly not at the top of Farrell’s thoughts at present.
Jack Murphy: In an era when Ireland have one of the oldest squads in the world game, an injection of youth would be welcome. The 22-year-old fly-half will be disappointed not to get a look in, particularly with Crowley ruled out. However, he has been in excellent form for Ulster, and it surely won’t be long before he is in the senior squad.
Brian Gleeson: The former under-20s captain was called up to the senior side in autumn 2025 for a tour to the United States, but he had to pull out after breaking his elbow. Now fit, the 22-year-old Munster back rower will be gutted to miss out with less than a year to go until the World Cup.
Injuries: Several players were not considered due to injury, including Jack Boyle, Harry Byrne, Jack Conan, Jack Crowley, Caelan Doris, Iain Henderson, Paddy McCarthy, Calvin Nash and Bryn Ward. Byrne will be disappointed to miss out, particularly with his rival Crowley also injured, while Ireland will miss Conan and Doris badly in the back row.
Munster: Two Munster players, Tadhg Beirne and Craig Casey, have been selected. By comparison, Connacht have eight players in the squad and Ulster have nine. Leinster lead the way with 17.
Ireland open their November campaign against Argentina on Friday, 6 November (kick-off 8.10pm), before welcoming Fiji to the Home of Irish Rugby on Saturday, 14 November (kick-off 8.10pm). Farrell’s side then face South Africa at a sold-out Aviva Stadium on Saturday, 21 November (kick-off 4.40pm). The Nations Championship Finals Weekend takes place a week later at the Allianz Stadium in London.