Paul O'Connell Names 32-Man Ireland Squad For 2025 Summer Tour
Paul O'Connell Names 32-Man Ireland Squad For 2025 Summer Tour
Craig Casey was named Ireland captain, as Paul O’Connell selects his 32-man squad for summer tests vs. Georgia and Portugal, featuring 11 uncapped players.
Interim head coach Paul O’Connell has named a 32-man Ireland squad for this summer’s two-test tour against Georgia and Portugal, with Munster scrum-half Craig Casey appointed captain for the first time.
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Casey, who has 18 international caps, will become the 112th player to captain the Irish men’s team since 1875.
The 25-year-old is set to lead a youthful side on its trip to Tbilisi on July 5 and Lisbon on July 12, marking the first time Ireland will face Portugal at the senior men’s level.
The squad features a blend of experience and emerging talent, with 11 uncapped players named and three additional Ulster players included as training panelists.
O’Connell emphasized the importance of the tour in building squad depth and offering valuable test experience to younger players.
“This tour offers a fantastic chance to see how some of our exciting young players step up to the demands of international rugby,” O’Connell said. “Craig is a real leader with a strong personality. It’s a huge honor for him, and I know he’ll thrive in the role.”
Forwards Tom Ahern, Michael Milne and Tommy O’Brien are among those pushing for a debut after previous involvement in the national setup.
Meanwhile, Alex Kendellen, Darragh Murray, Paddy McCarthy, Stephen Smyth and Hugh Gavin have earned their first senior call-ups after standout provincial and Emerging Ireland performances.
The tour also provides a testing ground for Ireland ahead of the new season.
Georgia, under former England coach Richard Cockerill, has become one of the leading Tier 2 nations, while Portugal turned heads at the 2023 Rugby World Cup with a fast-paced, attacking style.
“Georgia have developed significantly in recent years,” O’Connell said. “They’re a physically tough team with an improved backline. Portugal are similarly dangerous. Their World Cup campaign showed their flair and organisation under Simon Mannix.”
Notably absent from the squad are experienced duo Iain Henderson and Rob Herring, who are continuing rehabilitation following long-term injuries. Robbie Henshaw also is unavailable due to injury.
The squad will convene for a training camp at the IRFU High Performance Centre on June 23, before departing for Tbilisi on July 2. The matchday squad for the opening test will be announced July 3.
Ireland has faced Georgia five times previously, winning each encounter, but has never played Portugal at the senior level.
Both fixtures are expected to be broadcast, with details to be confirmed by the host unions.
Ireland Summer Tour Fixtures
Saturday, July 5: Georgia vs. Ireland – Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, Tbilisi (9 p.m. local/6 p.m. Irish time)
Saturday, July 12: Portugal vs. Ireland – Estádio Nacional do Jamor, Lisbon (7 p.m. local/Irish time)
Forwards (18) *- Denotes Uncapped Player
Tom Ahern (Munster)*
Ryan Baird (Leinster)(27)
Finlay Bealham (Connacht)(51)
Jack Boyle (Leinster)(2)
Thomas Clarkson (Leinster)(6)
Gavin Coombes (Munster)(2)
Max Deegan (Leinster)(2)
Cormac Izuchukwu (Ulster)(1)
Alex Kendellen (Munster)*
Gus McCarthy (Leinster)(4)
Paddy McCarthy (Leinster)*
Michael Milne (Munster)*
Darragh Murray (Connacht)*
Tom O’Toole (Ulster)(16)
Cian Prendergast (Connacht)(4)
Stephen Smyth (Leinster)*
Tom Stewart (Ulster)(2)
Nick Timoney (Ulster)(3)
Backs (14)
Shayne Bolton (Connacht)*
Craig Casey (Munster)(captain)(18)
Jack Crowley (Munster)(24)
Nathan Doak (Ulster)*
Ciaran Frawley (Leinster)(8)
Hugh Gavin (Connacht)*
Stuart McCloskey (Ulster)(19)
Ben Murphy (Connacht)*
Calvin Nash (Munster)(10)
Jimmy O’Brien (Leinster)(8)
Tommy O’Brien (Leinster)*
Jamie Osborne (Leinster)(7)
Sam Prendergast (Leinster)(8)
Jacob Stockdale (Ulster)(38)
Training Panelists
James McNabney (Ulster)*
Jude Postlethwaite (Ulster)*
Zac Ward (Ulster)*
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