Craig Casey to lead Ireland’s youthful squad for July Tests

Ireland have announced a 32-man squad for their upcoming summer tour of Georgia and Portugal, with Munster scrum-half Craig Casey named captain.

The squad, selected by interim head coach Paul O’Connell, features a mix of established internationals and 11 uncapped players, highlighting the strategic focus on building depth and preparing the next generation of talent for future campaigns.

The two-Test tour will see Ireland travel to Tbilisi to take on Georgia on July 5, followed by a fixture against Portugal in Lisbon on July 12.

Both matches are seen as crucial opportunities to assess emerging players in Test conditions, especially with several senior internationals being rested following the World Cup cycle and Six Nations.

Casey, 25, takes on the captaincy role for the first time, underlining his growth as a leader and the high regard in which he is held within the national setup.

Known for his energy, speed of delivery, and tenacity, Casey has been a consistent performer for Munster and has earned increasing trust at the international level.

“It’s a huge honour to captain Ireland. To lead such a talented group is something I take great pride in. We’re all really excited to test ourselves on this tour, and I’m confident we’ll see some young players step up and thrive in this environment,” said Casey.

The squad includes returning names such as Jack Crowley, Ciaran Frawley, Stuart McCloskey, and Jacob Stockdale, who will provide leadership and stability alongside younger prospects.

In the forwards, the likes of Tom Stewart, Cian Prendergast, and Max Deegan add athleticism and dynamism, while new names like Michael Milne, Stephen Smyth, and Paddy McCarthy will be eager to seize their opportunities.

The backs feature exciting young talents like Sam Prendergast, Shayne Bolton, and Hugh Gavin — all of whom have been standouts at provincial level.

Their inclusion reflects Ireland’s long-term strategic planning as it looks to build squad depth heading toward the next Rugby World Cup cycle.

Head coach Paul O’Connell, who steps in on an interim basis, expressed excitement about working with the group.

“This tour is a brilliant opportunity to expose younger players to the standards of international rugby. It’s also a chance for the coaching staff to build relationships with players who could play significant roles over the next few years.

"There’s real energy in this squad, and we’re excited about what we can achieve in these two Tests,” O’Connell said.

The IRFU has also confirmed that the matches will form part of a wider development initiative, with a training panel including additional promising players such as James McNabney, Jude Postlethwaite, and Zac Ward traveling with the squad for the experience.

Ireland squad:

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

Backs: Shayne Bolton, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley, Nathan Doak, Ciaran Frawley, Hugh Gavin, Stuart McCloskey, Ben Murphy, Calvin Nash, Jimmy O’Brien, Tommy O’Brien, Jamie Osborne, Sam Prendergast, Jacob Stockdale