Uncapped Connacht trio Billy Bohan, Sam Illo and Sean Jansen have been named in Ireland’s squad for next month’s Nations Championship fixtures, but injured fly-half Jack Crowley has been ruled out.
Crowley, who re-established himself as head coach Andy Farrell’s first-choice out-half during the Six Nations, has not been included after Munster boss Clayton McMillan revealed he had been diagnosed with a blood vessel issue.
The 26-year-old’s absence means Sam Prendergast, Harry Byrne and Ciaran Frawley will compete for the starting fly-half spot.
Leinster props Andrew Porter, Jack Boyle and Paddy McCarthy are ruled out, while there is no place for James Lowe after he announced his departure from Irish rugby last week by rejecting a new deal with the club.
Ireland will face Australia in Sydney on 4 July, Japan in Newcastle on 11 July and New Zealand in Auckland on 18 July.
Caelan Doris will captain the 36-man squad which travels to Sydney on Monday.
With Leinster preparing for Friday’s United Rugby Championship final against the Bulls, Ireland squad members from Ulster, Munster and Connacht completed a three-day training block in Dublin this week.
Farrell, who earlier this month signed a contract extension until 2031, said he wants his side to “build on our positive performances” from the Six Nations campaign that yielded a fourth Triple Crown in five years.
“We have three tough Tests against Australia, Japan and New Zealand and it’s important that we hit the ground running in this new tournament,” said Farrell.
“The experience of playing down under will be priceless for us and even though we’ll be playing in front of largely partisan home crowds, we are also excited about playing in front of a huge Irish support.”
