A look at the five uncapped players in the Ireland squad
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Ireland boss Andy Farrell has named his squad to tour New Zealand next month and has included five uncapped names among his troops, representing three of the four provinces.
The Leinster trio of Joe McCarthy, Jimmy O'Brien and Ciarán Frawley have been included, as well as Munster loosehead Jeremy Loughman and Connacht flanker Cian Prendergast.
Joe McCarthy:
DOB: 26/03/2001
Height: 2.02m
Weight: 119kg
Position: Lock
Promising second-row McCarthy has enjoyed a meteoric rise this season after breaking into the Leinster squad during the 2021-22 URC campaign and now finds himself mixing it up with Ireland’s top names with just a handful of Leinster caps under the belt.
Jimmy O’Brien:
DOB: 27/11/1996
Height: 1.83m
Weight: 90kg
Position: Centre/fullback
A flyhalf during his school days, O’Brien shifted to the midfield after joining the Leinster Academy and is equally adept in the number 15 jersey. He has represented Ireland at sevens and U20 level and was a member of the 2022 Six Nations squad but remains uncapped.
Ciarán Frawley:
DOB: 04/12/1997
Height: 1.91m
Weight: 91kg
Position: Utility back
Frawley has been a member of the Leinster set-up since 2018 and has amassed over 50 caps for the province. He has also represented Ireland U20 for whom he has been capped 10 times. He was called up to the national side by Farrell to 2021 Autumn Internationals.
Jeremy Loughman:
DOB: 22/07/1995
Height: 1.85m
Weight: 118kg
Position: Prop
Loughman began his professional career with a short stint at Leinster before moving to Munster for whom he has racked up 72 appearances to date. He also represented Ireland U20 in 2015.
Cian Prendergast:
DOB: 23/02/2000
Height: 1.96m
Weight: 112kg
Position: Lock/flank
The 22 year-old Prendergast is at home on the side of the scrum or in the engine room. He made his debut for Connacht in 2020 and has since represented them on 31 occasions. He was included in the 2022 Ireland Six Nations squad.
