Andy Farrell unveiled a 36‑man roster for the inaugural Nations Championship, covering tests against Australia, Japan and New Zealand in July. The squad includes three uncapped Connacht forwards who will join the group departing for Sydney on Monday. Their selection reflects strong provincial form and compensates for injured Leinster props, adding depth to the front row and back row.

Twenty‑year‑old Billy Bohan earned his first senior call after a debut season as a loose‑head prop for Connacht, logging eleven URC appearances and featuring in the European Challenge Cup. Twenty‑five‑year‑old Sam Illo, a former Leinster academy product, amassed 49 games across URC and Champions Cup contests. Back‑rower Sean Jansen, New Zealand‑born, topped the URC try list with ten scores and recorded 219 tackles.

The trio’s inclusion rewards Connacht’s surge to eighth place in the United Rugby Championship and a playoff berth that secures Champions Cup qualification. With Leinster’s Andrew Porter, Jack Boyle and Paddy McCarthy sidelined, Farrell now has viable alternatives in the front row and a dynamic ball‑carrier at number eight. Their performances in Sydney will directly shape Ireland’s competitiveness in the July series.