Ireland XV have stepped up preparations ahead of Friday night’s meeting with England ‘A’ at Thomond Park, as the squad assembled in Limerick earlier this week. The match, which kicks off at 7.15pm at the home of Munster Rugby, forms a key part of Ireland’s wider programme, giving players of national interest the chance to impress in a senior representative environment.
Leinster back-rower Max Deegan will captain the side, while head coach Cullie Tucker is joined by a strong coaching group for the week, including forwards coach John Muldoon, defence coach Sean O’Brien and attack coach Mark Sexton.
Several changes have been made to the squad as preparations intensify. Jack Aungier, Fiachna Barrett, Harry Sheridan, Fineen Wycherley and Ethan Coughlan have all linked up with the group, while Ciaran Frawley, Billy Bohan and Bryn Ward joined the group in Limerick after spending last week with the Ireland squad in Portugal.
There are also a number of absentees, with Sam Illo, Oli Jager, Diarmuid Mangan and Ben Murphy ruled out. Jude Postlethwaite and Darragh Murray remain with the senior Ireland squad in Paris ahead of Thursday night’s 2026 Guinness Men’s Six Nations opener against France.
Ireland XV Squad to prepare for England A Match:
(Club/Province/Test Caps)
Forwards (16):
Jack Aungier (Clontarf/Connacht)(1)
Fiachna Barrett (Corinthians/Connacht)
Diarmuid Barron (Garryowen/Munster)
Billy Bohan (Corinthians/Connacht)
Paul Boyle (Buccaneers/Connacht)(1)
Sam Crean (Ulster)
Max Deegan (Lansdowne/Leinster)(4)(captain)
Brian Gleeson (Garryowen/Munster)
Charlie Irvine (Queen’s University/Ulster)
Sean Jansen (Connacht)
Gus McCarthy (UCD/Leinster)(7)
Harry Sheridan (Dublin University/Ulster)
Stephen Smyth (Old Wesley/Leinster)
Bryn Ward (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
Scott Wilson (Queen’s University Belfast/Ulster)
Fineen Wycherley (Young Munster/Munster)(1)
Backs (11):
Ethan Coughlan (Shannon/Munster)
Shane Daly (Cork Constitution/Munster)(2)
Matthew Devine (Corinthians/Connacht)
Cathal Forde (Corinthians/Connacht)
Ciaran Frawley (UCD/Leinster)(9)
Fintan Gunne (Terenure College/Leinster)
James Hume (Banbridge/Ulster)(3)
Dan Kelly (Munster)
Joshua Kenny (Wicklow/Leinster)
Jack Murphy (Queen’s University/Ulster)
Zac Ward (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
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