Johnny Sexton left out of Ireland squad
SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: James Ryan will captain Ireland this July against Japan and the USA, as Johnny Sexton misses out on Andy Farrell’s 37-man squad.
In addition to the eight players who will be with the British and Irish Lions (including Andrew Porter), experienced squad members Sexton, Cian Healy and Keith Earls have also been rested, as Farrell seeks to develop new players.
The 24-year-old Ryan, who was a surprise omission from the Lions, will lead a squad with eleven uncapped players to face Japan on July 3 and the USA on July 10. The eleven are Robert Baloucoune, Tom O’Toole, Nick Timoney (Ulster), Caolin Blade, Tom Daly, Paul Boyle (Connacht), Harry Byrne, Peter Dooley, Ross Molony (Leinster), Gavin Coombes, Fineen Wycherley (Munster)
Farrell said: ‘We now have two games at home to focus on which will be a good challenge for the group. Japan played the Sunwolves at the weekend and will play the Lions the week before we play at the Aviva Stadium and we know the quality of their squad from the World Cup. We will assemble as a squad on the 22nd June and begin our preparations for the two games.
“I know the players will come in eager to make the most of this opportunity to pull on the green jersey and play in front of supporters for at the Aviva Stadium for the first time in 18 months.
“Johnny (Sexton), Cian (Healy) and Keith (Earls) will not be involved in this window as we grow the experience of other players. It will be a great opportunity to see can this group perform at this level.”
Ireland squad:
Backs: Will Addison (Ulster/Enniskillen), Robert Baloucoune (Ulster/Enniskillen), Caolin Blade Connacht/Galwegians), Billy Burns (Ulster), Harry Byrne (Leinster/Lansdowne), Joey Carbery (Munster/Clontarf), Craig Casey (Munster/Shannon), Andrew Conway (Munster/Garryowen), Shane Daly (Munster/Cork Constitution), Tom Daly (Connacht/Lansdowne), Chris Farrell (Munster/Young Munster), Jamison Gibson Park (Leinster), Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD), Jordan Larmour (Leinster/St Mary’s College), Stuart McCloskey (Ulster/Bangor), Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD), Jacob Stockdale (Ulster/Lurgan),
Forwards: Ryan Baird (Leinster/Dublin University), Finlay Bealham (Connacht/Buccaneers), Paul Boyle (Connacht/Lansdowne), Ed Byrne (Leinster/UCD), Gavin Coombes (Munster/Young Munster), Ultan Dillane (Connacht/Corinthians), Peter Dooley (Leinster/Lansdowne), Caelan Doris (Leinster/UCD), Dave Heffernan (Connacht/Buccaneers), Rob Herring (Ulster/Ballynahinch), Ronan Kelleher (Leinster/Lansdowne), Dave Kilcoyne (Munster/UL Bohemians), Ross Molony (Leinster/UCD), Peter O’Mahony (Munster/Cork Constitution), Tom O’Toole (Ulster/Ballynahinch), James Ryan (Leinster/UCD), John Ryan (Munster/Cork Constitution), Nick Timoney (Ulster/Banbridge), Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD), Fineen Wycherley (Munster/Young Munster).
