James Ryan to captain Ireland in summer Tests

Andy Farrell and the Ireland coaching team have named a 37-man squad for the summer series which features two Tests in July against Japan and the USA at the Aviva Stadium.

The match against Japan takes place on Saturday, July 3 and the fixture against the USA on Saturday, July 10.

Limited supporters to be in attendance

Both fixtures are part of the Irish government’s outdoor pilot sport event programme which will see limited supporters back in the Aviva Stadium.

James Ryan will captain the squad during the summer series and there are 11 uncapped players named – Robert Baloucoune, Tom O’Toole and Nick Timoney of Ulster, Connacht’s Caolin Blade, Tom Daly and Paul Boyle, Harry Byrne, Peter Dooley and Ross Molony of Leinster as well as Munster’s Gavin Coombes and Fineen Wycherley.

Farrell said: “We now have two games at home to focus on which will be a good challenge for the group. Japan played the Sunwolves at the weekend and will play the Lions the week before we play at the Aviva Stadium and we know the quality of their squad from the World Cup.

“We will assemble as a squad on the 22nd of June and begin our preparations for the two games.

“I know the players will come in eager to make the most of this opportunity to pull on the green jersey and play in front of supporters at the Aviva Stadium for the first time in 18 months.

“Johnny (Sexton), Cian (Healy) and Keith (Earls) will not be involved in this window as we grow the experience of other players. It will be a great opportunity to see can this group perform at this level.”

Ireland squad for 2021 summer series

Forwards: Ryan Baird (Leinster), Finlay Bealham (Connacht), Paul Boyle (Connacht), Ed Byrne (Leinster), Gavin Coombes (Munster), Ultan Dillane (Connacht), Peter Dooley (Leinster), Caelan Doris (Leinster), Dave Heffernan (Connacht), Rob Herring (Ulster), Ronan Kelleher (Leinster), Dave Kilcoyne (Munster), Ross Molony (Leinster), Peter O’Mahony (Munster), Tom O’Toole (Ulster), James Ryan (Leinster, captain), John Ryan (Munster), Nick Timoney (Ulster), Josh van der Flier (Leinster), Fineen Wycherley (Munster)

Backs: Will Addison (Ulster), Robert Baloucoune (Ulster), Caolin Blade (Connacht), Billy Burns (Ulster), Harry Byrne (Leinster), Joey Carbery (Munster), Craig Casey (Munster), Andrew Conway (Munster), Shane Daly (Munster), Tom Daly (Connacht), Chris Farrell (Munster), Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster), Hugo Keenan (Leinster), Jordan Larmour (Leinster), Stuart McCloskey (Ulster), Garry Ringrose (Leinster), Jacob Stockdale (Ulster)

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