Andy Farrell picks two uncapped players in Ireland squad led by Dan Sheehan

Uncapped Ulster duo, fly-half Jamie Benson and back-rower James McNabney, have been included in Andy Farrell’s Ireland squad for the Northern Hemisphere phase of the Nations Championship.

Meanwhile, established internationals such as wing Mack Hansen and loose-head Andrew Porter have been welcomed back into the fold for the Tests against Argentina, Fiji and South Africa in November.

Jamison Gibson-Park also returns despite not featuring for leinster yet this season due to a groin strain.

Having missed the July games with Australia, Japan and New Zealand, captain Caelan Doris is still unavailable as he recovers from knee and foot issues, and Ireland will once again be led in the Autumn by hooker Dan Sheehan.

Ireland’s back-row will also be shorn of the services of No.8 Jack Conan, who injured his shoulder while scoring a crucial second-half try during Leinster’s impressive 48-23 Investec Champions Cup Round 1 victory over Clermont ASM at Stade Marcel-Michelin.

While Conan and Doris’ absence has opened the door for newbie McNabney, Benson replaces the injured Harry Byrne as an option at 10. It vindicates his decision to leave Harlequins in the summer in the hope of furthering his Test ambitions.

Jack Boyle, Jack Crowley, Iain Henderson, Paddy McCarthy, Calvin Nash and Bryn Ward were some of the others not considered due to injury.

Ireland Squad – Nations Championship Northern Hemisphere Series: (Club/Province/Caps)

Forwards (19):

Ryan Baird (Dublin University/Leinster)(33)
Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Munster)(73)
Billy Bohan (Corinthians/Connacht)(1)
Thomas Clarkson (Blackrock College/Leinster)(16)
Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster)(88)
Sam Illo (Buccaneers/Connacht)(1)
Sean Jansen (Connacht)(2)
Rónan Kelleher (Lansdowne/Leinster)(51)
Joe McCarthy (Dublin University/Leinster)(26)
James McNabney (City of Armagh/Ulster)*
Darragh Murray (Buccaneers/Connacht)(3)
Tom O’Toole (Ballynahinch/Ulster)(24)
Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster)(79)
Cian Prendergast (UCD/Connacht)(11)
James Ryan (UCD/Leinster)(83)
Dan Sheehan (Lansdowne/Leinster)(41)(captain)
Tom Stewart (Ballynahinch/Ulster)(6)
Nick Timoney (Queen’s University/Ulster)(14)
Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster)(81)

Backs (17):

Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht)(72)
Rob Baloucoune (Enniskillen/Ulster)(9)
Jamie Benson (Ulster)*
Craig Casey (Shannon/Munster)(30)
Nathan Doak (Banbridge/Ulster)(2)
Ciaran Frawley (UCD/Connacht)(15)
Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster)(53)
Mack Hansen (Connacht)(30)
Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Leinster)(85)
Hugo Keenan (UCD/Leinster)(48)
Stuart McCloskey (Bangor/Ulster)(31)
Jimmy O’Brien (Naas/Leinster)(14)
Tommy O’Brien (Blackrock College/Leinster)(9)
Jamie Osborne (Naas/Leinster)(17)
Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne/Leinster)(17)
Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster)(76)
Jacob Stockdale (Lurgan/Ulster)(43).

*denotes uncapped