Ireland's uncapped 13 - Hugh Gavin

With 16 players on British and Irish Lions duty this summer, interim Ireland head coach Paul O'Connell's 33-man squad for this summer's matches against Georgia and Portugal features 13 uncapped players. BBC Sport NI takes a closer look at those hoping to feature in green for the first time.

Hugh Gavin has ticked off most checkpoints on his way to a first Ireland call-up.

The centre, who can also play on the wing, the 21-year-old Galway-born back was virtually ever-present in the past two Six Nations Under-20 and World Rugby Under-20 Championship campaigns.

Having been promoted to the Connacht senior side ahead of the 2024-25 season, he made 10 appearances in the United Rugby Championship and Challenge Cup (including seven starts).

He also started Ireland A's defeat by England in February, scoring a late try in the 25-12 loss at Ashton Gate.

Gavin has a world-class centre in Bundee Aki to learn from at Connacht, but he missed much of the 2024-25 season because of an ankle injury.

However, with six starts under his belt - including two alongside Aki in the Challenge Cup knockout stages - since the start of March, he looks primed to stake his claim for a regular berth in the Irish backline.