Overview
- Coach Andy Farrell announced the 36-player squad on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, and named hooker Dan Sheehan captain in the absence of injured skipper Caelan Doris.
- Two uncapped Ulster players, Jamie Benson and James McNabney, received their first senior call-ups as the squad mixes new faces with experienced internationals.
- Key internationals are missing through injury, notably Caelan Doris, fly-half Jack Crowley and No.8 Jack Conan, leaving short-term gaps in leadership and in several positions.
- Mack Hansen, Andrew Porter and Ryan Baird are among the players recalled after injury, while Jamison Gibson-Park was included despite not yet featuring this season.
- Ireland will host Argentina (6 November), Fiji (14 November) and South Africa (21 November) at the Aviva Stadium before the Nations Championship finals weekend in London, a window that will test the squad’s depth and shape selection ahead of the 2027 cycle.