Ireland Rugby: Nations Championship Squad Announced by Andy Farrell

Andy Farrell named his Ireland rugby squad 2026 for the Nations Championship home leg today. Ireland host Argentina, Fiji and South Africa at the Aviva Stadium next month, before the finals weekend at Twickenham.

Confirmed Ireland Rugby Squad

Forwards: Ryan Baird, Tadhg Beirne, Billy Bohan, Thomas Clarkson, Tadhg Furlong, Sam Illo, Sean Jansen, Ronan Kelleher, Joe McCarthy, James McNabney, Darragh Murray, Tom O’Toole, Andrew Porter, Cian Prendergast, James Ryan, Dan Sheehan (captain), Tom Stewart, Nick Timoney, Josh van der Flier.

Backs: Bundee Aki, Rob Baloucoune, Jamie Benson, Craig Casey, Nathan Doak, Ciaran Frawley, Jamison Gibson-Park, Mack Hansen, Robbie Henshaw, Hugo Keenan, Stuart McCloskey, Jimmy O’Brien, Tommy O’Brien, Jamie Osborne, Sam Prendergast, Garry Ringrose, Jacob Stockdale.

With less than a year to go until the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, I think this is the most debated squad Farrell has picked in a while. After November, the Six Nations is the only extended stretch of competitive rugby he gets with his players before they fly out, as BBC Sport outlined. Ireland Autumn Internationals 2026: Fixtures and Squad Time

Ireland come into the window having beaten Australia and Japan in July before a 40-21 loss to New Zealand in Auckland. Here is what is ahead (times GMT):

Date	Fixture	Venue	Kick-off
6 November	Ireland v Argentina	Aviva Stadium	20:10
14 November	Ireland v Fiji	Aviva Stadium	20:10
21 November	Ireland v South Africa	Aviva Stadium	16:40
27-29 November	Nations Championship finals weekend (opponent to be decided)	Allianz Stadium, Twickenham	Not confirmed yet

For daily listings once the Tests get closer, our rugby on TV today page is the place to check.

Who Is Injured and Who Is Back for Farrell’s Squad?

Farrell will be without some key men. Captain Caelan Doris missed the July Tests and is still out with knee and foot problems. Fly-half Jack Crowley is unavailable with a vascular injury, and props Jack Boyle and Paddy McCarthy are also missing.

Then there is Jack Conan, who left Stade Marcel-Michelin with his arm in a sling after the Champions Cup win over Clermont on Saturday. We have more in our Jack Conan injury report. If both Doris and Conan are out, Sean Jansen has a clear opening. He scored a try on his Test debut against Japan and came off the bench against the All Blacks.

There is good news too. First-choice loose-head Andrew Porter, 30, is available for the first time since last year’s defeat by the Springboks in Dublin, having missed the 2026 Six Nations and the July games with calf problems. His Leinster team-mate Ryan Baird, 27, is back after a fractured tibia, and winger Mack Hansen returns after a season that brought two Test appearances and one run-out for Connacht.

Jamison Gibson-Park is expected to be included, but the 34-year-old scrum-half has not yet played for Leinster this season because of a groin strain. For me, that is one to watch.

Farrell Ireland Team Selection: Who Starts at Fly-Half?

With Crowley out, it comes down to Sam Prendergast and Ciaran Frawley. Both have been hard to ignore.

Prendergast, 23, has 17 caps but has had a bumpy start to Test life. His defence has been targeted, and Farrell dropped him after a poor start to this year’s Six Nations. Since then he has won back-to-back man of the match awards for Leinster, against Cardiff in the URC and Clermont in the Champions Cup, showing a sharper running game.

Frawley, 28, left Leinster for Connacht to get regular game time at 10 and has scored four tries. He starred in last week’s 45-36 Champions Cup win over Saracens, and his first Test start at fly-half came against Japan in July. I would not be surprised to see him get another.

Beyond those two, 20-year-old Charlie O’Shea has impressed for Munster, though it may be too soon for a Test call. Joey Carbery could earn a recall despite making only one brief appearance off the bench since rejoining Leinster.

Elsewhere, uncapped Munster number eight Brian Gleeson is in contention after impressing against Racing 92. He had to withdraw from the squad with an elbow injury 12 months ago. Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, Stuart McCloskey and Bundee Aki look the likely centres, with Jamie Osborne pushing at 12. In the front row, 36-year-old Kieran Brookes, who won 16 caps for England, has impressed in the scrum since joining Munster.

Ireland Rugby World Cup 2027: Can They Beat South Africa?

Beating the back-to-back world champions on 21 November would be a real statement, given the loss to the All Blacks in July. Ireland have won four of their last six meetings with the Springboks, but last year’s 24-13 defeat in Dublin was bruising. Ireland picked up five cards, finished the first half with 12 men and could not match the South African scrum.

Losses by 22 points to France and 19 to New Zealand earlier this year add to the pressure. South Africa have played six Tests since Ireland last met New Zealand. They beat Argentina and won a 3-1 series against the All Blacks, though they lost 42-38 to Australia in Perth on 27 September. For more on that rivalry, see our look at the Springboks v All Blacks series decider.

All four Irish provinces won their opening European games last weekend, which should please Farrell as he makes his calls.

Your questions answered

When is the Ireland squad announced?

Andy Farrell names the squad at 15:00 BST on Wednesday. It is for the Nations Championship home leg in November, which includes games against Argentina, Fiji and South Africa at the Aviva Stadium, followed by the finals weekend at Twickenham.

When do Ireland play in November?

Ireland v Argentina is on 6 November and Ireland v Fiji on 14 November, both kicking off at 20:10 GMT. Ireland v South Africa is on 21 November at 16:40 GMT, all at the Aviva Stadium. The finals weekend at Twickenham is 27-29 November, with Ireland’s opponent not confirmed yet.

Is Caelan Doris fit for Ireland?

No. Captain Caelan Doris missed the July Tests with Australia, Japan and New Zealand, and is still unavailable as he recovers from knee and foot issues. Jack Conan is also a concern after leaving the Clermont game with his arm in a sling, which could open the door for Sean Jansen.

Who will start at fly-half for Ireland?

It is not decided yet. Jack Crowley is out with a vascular injury, so Sam Prendergast and Ciaran Frawley are competing for the shirt. Prendergast has 17 caps and two straight man of the match awards for Leinster. Frawley started at 10 against Japan in July and has scored four tries for Connacht.