Irish Rugby

Nigel Ringland
BBC Sport Senior Journalist in Brisbane

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Eight Ireland internationals will start for the British and Irish Lions in the first Test against Australia in Brisbane on Saturday.

Full-back Hugo Keenan, wing James Lowe and scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park are named among the backs while Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Joe McCarthy, Jack Conan and Tadhg Beirne will pack down together up front.

And there could be more appearances from the Irish contingent with prop Andrew Porter, hooker Ronan Kelleher and centre Bundee Aki all named amongst the replacements.

It equals the record of most Ireland players to start a Lions Test that dates back to the third Test in South Africa in 1938.

Five of the eight were from Ulster, including captain Sammy Walker.

Blair Mayne, George Cromey, Harry Mckibbin and Robert Alexander were the others and were joined by Robert Graves, Charles Boyles and George Morgan.

That game was also the last that the Lions wore blue shirts in a Test match.

None of the starters are a surprise with Keenan as the only recognised full-back in the squad at the moment with Blair Kinghorn out injured.

With Gary Ringrose out with concussion, an all-Scottish midfield combination of Huw Jones and Simone Tuipulotu is preferred with Aki starting on the bench.

Perhaps the most debated selection is that of Beirne over England’s Ollie Chessum in the back row alongside Conan and Tom Curry with Josh Van der Flier missing out.

At times Beirne has not looked like his normal commanding self, but he has captained the side to a pair of wins.

“Yeah, I suppose that's the hotly contested one, part of the side that's been talked about for quite some time and rightly so because of the quality that we've got there,” admitted Farrell.

”Obviously we feel that that's the right balance for the first test, the combination of Taghg, being the type of player that he is, as far as his quality in the set piece but yet his all-round ability, either on the floor or a ball-playing six.

“I think that complements Jack in a similar regard and Tom being the engine that we all know that you need in regards to Test match football.”

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Ireland forward Aoife Wafer is a doubt for the Rugby World Cup after undergoing surgery on a knee injury.

Wafer, who was named 2025 Six Nations Player of the Championship, is set to miss Ireland's two warm-up games against Scotland and Canada next month.

The 22-year-old faces a race against time to be fit for Ireland's World Cup Pool C opener against Japan in Northampton on 24 August.

Scott Bemand's side face Spain on 31 August and holders New Zealand on 7 September in their remaining pool games.

Wafer, who will join Harlequins from Leinster after the tournament in England, scored four tries for Ireland in the Six Nations but missed the last game of the championship after damaging knee ligaments against Wales.

Her fitness has become increasingly significant for Ireland following injuries to back rowers Dorothy Wall and Erin King, who will both miss the World Cup.

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The fixture details for this year's Investec Champions Cup and Challenge Cup matches involving the four Irish provinces have been revealed.

Ulster will begin their Challenge Cup campaign with a home game against Racing 92 at the newly-named Affidea Stadium in Belfast on Friday 5 December (20:00 GMT).

Richie Murphy's side will then travel to face Cardiff away on Saturday 13 December (20:00), before taking on the Cheetahs at a European venue still to be confirmed on Sunday 11 January (15:15) and concluding with a home match against Stade Francais on Saturday 17 January (13:00).

In the Champions Cup, Leinster host Harlequins on 6 December (17:30), with the venue to be confirmed, with Munster away to Bath on the same day (20:00)

On Friday 12 December, Leinster are on the road to take on Leicester Tigers at Welford Road (20:00), with Munster hosting Gloucester at 17:30 on 13 December.

Leinster entertain La Rochelle on Saturday 10 January (17:30), then Munster are away to Toulon on 11 January (13:00).

In the final round of pool games, Leinster face Bayonne away on Saturday 17 January (15:15) and Munster play Castres at Thomond Park at 17:30 on the same day.

Connacht's Challenge Cup campaign commences with a trip to Ospreys on Sunday 7 December (15:15), followed by games at home to Black Lion (Saturday 13 December, 20:00), away to Montpellier (Sunday 11 January, 13:00) and home to US Montauban (Saturday 17 January, 20:00).

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Versatile back Jimmy O'Brien says he is keen to make the most of his chance with Ireland while the bulk of the squad are on British and Irish Lions duty.

O'Brien made his Test debut against South Africa in 2022, but has been in and out of the squad since, with injuries playing their part.

The 28-year-old, who can operate at full-back, centre and on either wing, has been retained for Saturday's Test against Portugal, having played 80 minutes of last weekend's 34-5 win over Georgia in the 15 jersey.

"It's about taking the opportunity," said O'Brien, who was a key part of Leinster's 2024-25 United Rugby Championship win.

"Obviously some of the lads are away with Lions and there's a lot of lads, myself included, who have been waiting for an opportunity to play over the last couple of years.

"[We're] trying to get back in the green shirt so we're trying to take the opportunity when we get it."

O'Brien says the Ireland squad are expecting "polar opposite" conditions in Lisbon after the heavy rain they experienced in Tbilisi.

"Portugal are probably a bit more used to this than us," added Kildare native.

"They'll probably try and keep the ball in play and run us around but we back our fitness and hopefully we can perform."

Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI senior journalist

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Summer test: Portugal v Ireland

Venue: Estadio Nacional do Jamor, Lisbon Date: Saturday, 12 June Kick-off: 19:00 BST

Coverage: Live text updates, report and reaction on BBC Sport website & app

Ireland interim head coach Paul O'Connell says Jack Crowley has the opportunity to "follow up" on Sam Prendergast's "excellent" performance in the win over Georgia in Saturday's Test against Portugal.

With Crowley having started Ireland's final Six Nations game, Prendergast shone on his return to the line-up in Tbilisi, converting all six of his kicks off the tee in a 34-5 Irish win in tough conditions.

The 22-year-old, who also had what would have been his first international try ruled out, is not included in the matchday squad for this weekend's contest at Estadio Nacional do Jamor in Lisbon with Crowley returning to the 10 jersey.

"It's a very important position, out-half, I think more and more important in the game than it's ever been," said O'Connell, who has led Ireland's summer tour while head coach Andy Farrell is away with the British and Irish Lions.

"They probably don't touch the ball as much as the nines, but they probably make more decisions than anyone else on the field and they really decide how we play the game. Having two guys that are confident, that we believe in, that get to get in and play our way and make mistakes and learn and get it right and learn from that as well is really important.

"It's just an opportunity for Jack to own the week and run it and get after it. It's great for us, the two of them are quite supportive of each other, they learn a lot from each other, so it's just a brilliant opportunity for us to give more experience to Jack."

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O'Connell praised Leinster out-half Prendergast's performance and kicking accuracy in the win over Georgia.

"When you get a lead of more than two scores in those conditions, it's very tough to come from behind we were able to keep them at arm's length with our kicking game and his kicking made a big contribution to it.

"He also added a layer of unpredictability to our attack in tough conditions and led the group really well. The feedback from [forwards coach] Colm Tucker and the guys that were bringing the water on was he was leading the group really well. We're delighted with him and it's an opportunity to Jack to follow up."

O'Connell has handed debuts to Shayne Bolton, Alex Kendellen and Hugh Gavin in a team showing six changes as Ireland prepare for their last game until they face the All Blacks in Chicago on 1 November.

Portugal are ranked 18th in the world, seven places below Georgia, but they scored three tries in a 64-21 loss to world champions South Africa last year and that has not escaped O'Connell's notice.

"They take a lot of quick taps, a lot of quick lie-outs, they want to play quickly, they've very good backs, nippy backs," said O'Connell.

"I was on to [South Africa defence coach] Jerry Flannery there, they conceded three tries when they played against South Africa.

"Their backs are quite a threat, so the ball will get more air from both sides. We want to play with the ball more than we did with Georgia, but we're happy enough not to play with it if it's conditions like last week."

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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.

Alex Kendellen deservedly secured his first Ireland call-up at the end of a busy season that saw him make 22 appearances for Munster, scoring four tries including one in the Champions Cup.

Capable of playing across the back row, the Cork-born 24-year-old has made steady progression since his debut for the province in 2021, impressing for the Ireland under-20s in their Six Nations campaign that year before featuring in all 25 of Munster's games in the 2023-24 season.

Having been ruled out of the 2022 Emerging Ireland tour through concussion, Kendellen captained the young squad in their South African trip last autumn.

With 89 games already under his belt for Munster, Kendellen hopes to muscle his way into Ireland's long-term back-row options - and he has been given the chance to impress from the start against Portugal.

Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI senior journalist

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Ireland interim head coach Paul O'Connell has included three new caps in a team showing six changes for Saturday's Test against Portugal in Lisbon (19:00 BST).

Connacht wing Shayne Bolton and Munster back row Kendellen were originally named in O'Connell's line-up, while Connacht centre Hugh Gavin was promoted to the starting team after Jamie Osborne's call-up to the British and Irish Lions squad.

Munster wing Calvin Nash takes Gavin's place on the Ireland bench.

Bolton replaces Ulster wing Jacob Stockdale, who injured his shoulder in the 34-5 win over Georgia in Tbilisi last week, while Kendellen comes in at open-side flanker for Nick Timoney, who drops out of the squad.

Six players made their Ireland debuts against Georgia: Tommy O'Brien and Darragh Murray started, while Michael Milne, Jack Aungier, Tom Ahern, and Ben Murphy came off the bench.

Jack Crowley will start at fly-half with Sam Prendergast, who scored 14 points against Georgia, not named in O'Connell's 23-man matchday squad.

O'Connell opts for the same front row of Jack Boyle, Gus McCarthy and Tom Clarkson, while Munster's Tom Ahern comes in for his first start in the second row alongside Darragh Murray, as Cormac Izuchukwu drops to the bench.

Connacht's Cian Prendergast, who was forced to withdraw from last week's game because of illness, starts at number eight.

"I have been really pleased with the attitude of the players over the last number of weeks," said O'Connell.

"The dedication and diligence of the squad in testing conditions over in Tbilisi demonstrated the players' willingness to embrace challenges and hopefully that bodes well again this weekend."

Ireland: J O'Brien; T O'Brien, H Gavin, S McCloskey, S Bolton; J Crowley, C Casey (capt); J Boyle, G McCarthy, T Clarkson; T Ahern, D Murray; R Baird, A Kendellen, C Prendergast.

Replacements: T Stewart, M Milne, T O'Toole, C Izuchukwu, M Deegan, B Murphy, C Frawley, C Nash.

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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.

Having once dreamed of representing the Springboks, Shayne Bolton hopes this summer marks the start of a successful Ireland career, four years on from leaving his native South Africa to join Connacht.

The imposing 24-year-old wing caught the eye for the western province during the 2024-25 season, scoring six tries in 13 games and five in his last seven.

Injury robbed him of the chance to impress on the Emerging Ireland's tour of South Africa last autumn, but he was called up as injury cover during the Six Nations and scored a try in Ireland A's defeat by England in February.

Standing 6ft 2ins tall and with pace to burn on the right wing, Bolton provides an intriguing alternative to the more established widemen in O'Connell's squad.

Bolton will have his first chance to impress in an Ireland shirt after being named to start against Portugal on Saturday.

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Ireland hooker Gus McCarthy believes competition for places at Leinster is helping him develop as a player.

The 21-year-old won his fifth Test cap in his side's 34-5 win over Georgia in Tbilisi last week having made his debut against Fiji in November.

With British and Irish Lions Dan Sheehan and Ronan Kelleher ahead of him in the pecking order at Leinster, McCarthy played just three times for his province between the end of the Six Nations and conclusion of the domestic season in June.

"I haven't played a huge amount. I didn't really get involved in the URC knock-out matches or the latter end of the Champions Cup," said McCarthy.

"I did get quite a bit of game-time in the middle of the season. It's great to learn from the best, some seriously good talent.

"The competition is endless, it's constant competition which keeps you on your toes. It's very positive."

Ireland will conclude their two-Test summer tour against Portugal in Lisbon on Saturday (19:00 BST).

The trip is being lead by usual forwards coach Paul O'Connell and an interim ticket of assistants with Andy Farrell and 16 members of his playing panel on tour in Australia with the Lions.

"Portugal are a very, very attacking and dangerous side. We've watched a lot of them. They aren't to be taken lightly," McCarthy added.

"We're going to put a lot of prep in and make sure we're all guns loaded for Saturday. We're really, really looking forward to the challenge."

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Ireland interim forwards coach Cullie Tucker says their Test against Portugal on Saturday is one that will provide a "significant" challenge.

With usual head coach Andy Farrell and 16 players on British and Irish Lions duty in Australia, Paul O'Connell leads the inexperienced side into the game in Lisbon after a comfortable 34-5 win against Georgia last weekend.

And while pleased with their performance in the victory in Tbilisi, Tucker believes Portugal - under former Racing 92 and Munster assistant Simon Mannix - will provide another stern test.

"They're a very good rugby team and it is a game that needs to be taken very seriously," he said.

"We're here to win two games and they're going to provide a different challenge to Georgia and a significant one with the heat on top of that.

"They're coached by Simon Mannix, who is a serious operator, so it is going to be a very tough game, and we are going to prepare for it to be tough."

Tucker took interim charge of Connacht last season after the departure of Pete Wilkins but will return to his role as scrum and contact coach at the province after Ireland's summer tour to work under new boss Stuart Lancaster.

He said the experience away as a coach with Ireland under O'Connell has been hugely beneficial.

"It's been a brilliant experience, it is always good to get in with new coaches, but the calibre of coaching has been outstanding," he added.

"It is great to work with them and everyone is across each other, so it is great to have that environment. We're being really accurate with the messages we have been delivering, and Paul has been driving that."

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Jacob Stockdale has been ruled out of Ireland's match with Portugal after suffering a shoulder injury in Saturday's win in Georgia.

The Ulster wing was forced off late in the first half of the 34-5 win with his left arm in a makeshift sling using his shirt.

In a squad update issued on Monday, Ireland confirmed that the 29-year-old will be absent for the final game of the summer tour in Portugal on Saturday (19:00 BST) and will see a specialist in Ireland next week.

It is the latest blow for Stockdale in an Ireland jersey, who was forced off with a hamstring injury in his previous international appearance against Fiji in November.

With 16 Ireland players on British and Irish Lions duty, Stockdale was the most experienced international in interim head coach Paul O'Connell's squad.

Cian Prendergast has recovered from illness and will be available for selection after missing the win against Georgia.

Stockdale's Ulster team-mate Scott Wilson has also returned home after the prop was called up as injury cover.

O'Connell has no further injury concerns and will name his team for the game against Portugal on Thursday.

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Ireland interim head coach Paul O'Connell said he "loved" the "intent and hunger" his players showed in the 34-5 win over Georgia in Tbilisi.

An inexperienced Ireland squad which featured six debutants proved too strong for their hosts thanks to Tommy O'Brien's early double and second-half tries from first-time captain Craig Casey and Nick Timoney.

O'Connell, who will also lead Ireland in next week's match with Portugal in Lisbon while head coach Andy Farrell leads the British and Irish Lions, was buoyed by how his side adapted to the wet conditions.

The former Ireland captain said: "We prepared for certain conditions.

"Unfortunately, it ended up with different conditions and that's what's most most pleasing: our half-backs and the leadership in the team were able to flick a switch and change the plan and deliver a really accurate plan given the conditions we had.

"I loved the intent the players played with, I loved the hunger they played with, I loved how tough they were and how accurate they were."

O'Brien was one of two Ireland debutants in the starting line-up, with Michael Milne, Tom Ahern, Jack Aungier and Ben Murphy earning their first caps off the bench.

"In terms of our new caps, it's exciting because we actually haven't had a massive amount of injuries in the past few years," added O'Connell.

"Sometimes you need someone to have an injury to get a chance, so for the team to have done so well to allow so many players to go on the Lions tour and give these players an opportunity is brilliant for us.

"They all have a story to tell. Tommy O'Brien played against Georgia in 2018 as an Under-20 player, he's been through a lot of stuff with injuries. Other guys have had to move province to try and get game time. They've been through a lot to get their opportunity."

Casey, whose early second-half try dented Georgia's hopes of launching a fightback, said captaining his country is "certainly up there" with the best moments of his career.

"Very nice feeling feeling in that dressing room afterwards," said the Munster scrum-half, 26.

"Building all week, winning is the most important especially as the captain and it's certainly a nice feeling, so it ranks highly."

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Jacob Stockdale is set to miss Ireland's match with Portugal after suffering a shoulder injury in Saturday's win in Georgia.

The Ulster wing, 29, was forced off late in the first half of the 34-5 win with his left arm in a makeshift sling using his shirt.

He will have a scan to determine the extent of his injury and miss the final game of Ireland's summer tour in Portugal on Saturday.

It is the latest blow for Stockdale in an Ireland jersey, who was forced off with a hamstring injury in his previous international appearance against Fiji in November.

After impressing in the 2017 autumn internationals, Stockdale shone in the 2018 Six Nations when he was the tournament's top try scorer.

However, injuries and a loss of form meant his appearances were limited under head coach Andy Farrell and he missed out on selection for the 2023 World Cup.

After largely being a fringe player under Farrell, Stockdale was handed the opportunity to start in Tbilisi under interim coach Paul O'Connell.

The chance came about with 16 players away on the Farrell-led British and Irish Lions tour in Australia, but Stockdale's 40th Ireland appearance was cut short and he is now set for a spell on the sidelines.

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British and Irish Lions captain Tadhg Beirne said the side were again limited by "too many errors and turnovers" in their stuttering 21-10 win over the New South Wales Waratahs in Sydney.

The tourists claimed their third-successive win on Australian soil but, two weeks out from the first Test against the Wallabies, the performance contained a host of errors in promising attacking positions.

"It was quite frustrating out there that we couldn't get a hold of things in the game the way we would have liked to," said Beirne, who led the side in the absence of tour skipper Maro Itoje.

"I'd a few dropped balls myself and individual errors cost us a bit of continuity in terms of our attack.

"That's something we're definitely going to have to look at and figure out how to improve so it doesn't happen again."

Beirne noted that Andy Farrell's side "kept at it" and, with a more clinical streak, could have racked up the type of 50-point tally they had against the Reds and Western Force.

While those victories also contained similar passages lacking in rhythm, Beirne thought their latest win displayed the strides being made elsewhere.

"We've had a lot of improvements," added the 33-year-old Munster forward.

"Our scrum improved a lot, our line-out was really good. We'll take some really good positives as well."

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Max Deegan will replace Cian Prendergast on the Ireland bench for Saturday's Test match against Georgia in Tbilisi (18:00 BST).

In a squad update on Saturday afternoon, the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) said Connacht back row Prendergast withdrew from the game because of illness.

Leinster's Deegan, 28, made his Ireland debut in February 2020 and earned his second cap against Fiji in November 2022.

With Caelan Doris injured and Jack Conan on British and Irish Lions duty, Munster's Gavin Coombes starts at number eight against Georgia.

Ireland: J O'Brien; T O'Brien; J Osborne, S McCloskey; J Stockdale; S Prendergast, C Casey (capt); J Boyle, G McCarthy, T Clarkson; C Izuchukwu, D Murray; R Baird, N Timoney, G Coombes.

Replacements: T Stewart, M Milne, J Aungier, T Ahern, M Deegan, B Murphy, J Crowley, C Nash