ACL blow rules McNabney out of Ireland Tour and URC start

Ulster back-rower James McNabney has suffered a serious ACL injury during Ireland training, ruling him out of the summer tour and likely a significant portion of the upcoming United Rugby Championship season.

The 22-year-old, a promising forward who was recently brought into Ireland’s training squad as a development player, sustained the injury in camp and now faces a long spell on the sidelines.

His setback comes as Ireland prepares for July Test matches against Georgia and Portugal on the 5th and 12th respectively.

McNabney's injury is a major blow to both Ulster and Ireland, as the dynamic back-rower was tipped as one of the rising stars in the national system.

His physicality and ball-carrying ability had put him on the radar of head coach Andy Farrell, with the summer series seen as a potential breakthrough platform.

In response, Ireland have called up Brian Gleeson, the uncapped Munster flanker, to join Paul O’Connell’s training squad. Gleeson has been turning heads in the URC with his aggressive breakdown work and defensive intensity.

Additionally, two more Munster players have been drafted into the national setup. Diarmuid Kilgallen and Evan O’Connell—both uncapped—have been named as training panellists. Kilgallen’s inclusion comes as Calvin Nash manages an ankle issue, leaving Ireland short on wing cover.

This reshuffle underlines the continued focus on youth and depth-building within the Irish setup, even as injuries disrupt the original training plans.

For McNabney, the path to recovery begins now, with both province and country hoping to see him back fully fit in time for the latter stages of the URC season.

Ireland squad:

Forwards: Tom Ahern (Munster), Ryan Baird (Leinster), Finlay Bealham (Connacht), Jack Boyle (Leinster), Thomas Clarkson (Leinster), Gavin Coombes (Munster), Max Deegan (Leinster), Cormac Izuchukwu (Ulster), Alex Kendellen (Munster), Gus McCarthy (Leinster), Paddy McCarthy (Leinster), Michael Milne (Munster), Darragh Murray (Connacht), Tom O'Toole (Ulster), Cian Prendergast (Connacht), Stephen Smyth (Leinster), Tom Stewart (Ulster), Nick Timoney (Ulster).

Backs: Shayne Bolton (Connacht), Craig Casey (Munster), Jack Crowley (Munster), Nathan Doak (Ulster), Ciaran Frawley (Leinster), Hugh Gavin (Connacht), Stuart McCloskey (Ulster), Ben Murphy (Connacht), Calvin Nash (Munster), Jimmy O'Brien (Leinster), Tommy O'Brien (Leinster), Jamie Osborne (Leinster), Sam Prendergast (Leinster), Jacob Stockdale (Ulster).