LONG READ The best uncapped Irish prospects pushing for summer tour places

During Ireland’s training camp in Portugal, back in January, Andy Farrell stressed 2026 was the time for players that were into their second and third years to put their stamp on the squad. With all the players assembled for one meeting, Farrell asked all the players with 10 caps or less to stand up. Jamie Osborne rising from his chair even caught the head coach by surprise.

“You think he’s an experienced bloke but he’s not, at this level,” Farrell remarked. “He’s playing in a (fullback) position that he’s played for us before, but only once or twice. He’s played every game there and shone like a light.”

Andy Farrell name-checked half his Ireland squad after the Triple Crown-clinching win over Scotland, back in March, and shook his head in wonder when it came to Osborne. Before this year’s Six Nations, he had only eight Test starts for Ireland. However, there were so many changes elsewhere, the 24-year-old took on the veteran role in Ireland’s new-look back three. All this despite being much younger than Tommy O’Brien and Rob Baloucoune.

Ireland’s Six Nations fate was all but sealed when they got flayed by France, on the opening night. Mack Hansen wildly overreacted when he claimed the Irish media was ‘talking about getting rid of Faz’, but there was some harsh criticism of the team. Ultimately, they recovered to win four on the bounce, seal a Triple Crown, debut three players and give 11 others their first taste of Six Nations action. All that and just a missed Thomas Ramos penalty away from finishing top of the pile.

Farrell praised Michael Milne, Tom O’Toole and Darragh Murray in that press conference, but only the Connacht lock would qualify as a ‘prospect’, and he turns 25 in July. The aforementioned O’Brien and Baloucoune are 27 and 28.

This piece is focusing on uncapped Ireland players under 25 that are making strong selection cases for Farrell’s squad, ahead of summer Tests against Australia, Japan and New Zealand. That rules out Zac Ward (27) and Sean Jansen (26), who are enjoying fine seasons and will be hoping to get a call from Farrell, too.

Josh Kenny (Leinster)

O’Brien and Baloucoune demonstrated to Farrell that potential sometimes needs faith, training camp reps, seasoning and, importantly, injury luck. Few would have predicted an Irish back three of O’Brien-Baloucoune-Osborne, back in January, but they did a fantastic job. It eases the pressure on the likes of James Lowe, Hansen and Hugo Keenan, who have all had injury issues in the past two years.

Kenny may still have been touring the globe with the Irish Sevens team, but the IRFU spiked that programme in 2025. Leinster wisely called him in for a closer look. The 22-year-old snatched his opportunity, scored 11 tries in 13 matches and earned himself a full, provincial contract. He really caught the eye with a two-try salvo against La Rochelle, in the Champions Cup. Boasts impressive pace, eye for the tryline and a decent work-rate. The opposition will have more tape on him, for next season, but he should only improve in the Leinster set-up.

David McCann (Ulster)

There is a lot to like from the 25-year-old, who made his Ulster debut in 2020. The former Ireland U20 captain is nearing 100 caps for his province and has proven capable of covering all three back row positions. Played with the likes of Craig Casey, Jack Crowley, Tom Clarkson, Ryan Baird and Joe McCarthy, across two Ireland U20 campaigns.

McCann has really come on over the past two seasons, and is flourishing under Ulster head coach, Richie Murphy. He is rediscovering the rampaging carries, slick passing and offloads that caught the eye when he first pinged radars with the U20s. His best performance of the season was in a home annihilation of Racing, in the Challenge Cup. Was called up to the Ireland ‘A’ squad for last November’s win over Spain, replacing Alex Soroka at blindside in the second half.

Billy Bohan (Connacht)

Already got a taste of senior Ireland camp when he was summoned to the squad, amid a loosehead injury crisis, during the Six Nations. The Kildare-born prop is the grandson of former Ireland coach and player Mick Doyle, who led his team to Triple Crown glory in 1985.

“The temperament is there,” Farrell observed, after drafting the 20-year-old. “He’s come from good stock, with his grandfather. He’s a student of the game as well. Maybe he’s come a little bit earlier than he would have thought. But that could stand to us all down the line as well.”

Such is the confidence Connacht have in him, veteran loosehead Denis Buckley is being allowed to leave in the summer. He will face competition from Leinster prop Jerry Cahir, next season.

Bohan has fared well in inter-pros against Leinster and Ulster, was given starts in four Challenge Cup games and enjoyed his finest hour, to date, in Connacht’s Cape Town win over Stormers. With Paddy McCarthy and Jack Boyle set to miss the summer tour, he is well placed to travel.

Jude Postlethwaite (Ulster)

It really feels like a matter of ‘when’ not ‘if’, in terms of kicking off a successful Test career. Has already been in with the senior Ireland squad. Farrell opting to reward his namesake, Tom, for his good form, over recent seasons, blocked him from involvement in the Six Nations win over Wales.

Having previously worked with Richie Murphy, his boss at Ulster, when Ireland U20s swept to a Six Nations Grand Slam, in 2022, the 24-year-old can cover inside and outside centre. Many fans at the northern province ultimately view him as a replacement for Stuart McCloskey, further down the line, while interestingly, his two Ireland ‘A’ appearances have both been in the 13 jersey.

Postlethwaite, another young player with Ireland Sevens experience, was in electric form in Ulster’s Challenge Cup semi-final win over Exeter Chiefs. He was outside McCloskey for the game and lit it up with some superb carries and double-take offloads.

Jack Murphy (Ulster)

The final two picks are influenced by recent form, selection dilemmas for Farrell and a sprinkling of wishful thinking.

After one campaign with Ireland U20s, in 2024, the 19-year-old was snapped up by Ulster and went North with his father, Richie. In the two seasons that have followed, Murphy has played 32 times for the province and established himself as the main outhalf. Often sharing kicking duties in a burgeoning 9/10 partnership with Nathan Doak, he has scored three tries and contributed another 83 points from the tee.

When Murphy penned a new, two-year deal in January of this year, Ulster’s general manager Rory Best declared, “Jack has shown an impressive maturity for his age and has already shown that he can lead our attack from number 10. His kicking game is a real point of difference for our style of play and the way we want to put pressure on the opposition. The exciting thing about Jack is the potential that he has, and we must continue trying to make the most from his talent over the seasons ahead.” High praise from the former Ireland captain, and an Ulster legend.

The current queue at Test level appears to be Crowley, Ciarán Frawley, Sam Prendergast, then Harry Byrne. I would be of a mind to give Prendergast the summer off to work on other areas of his game, away from the spotlight. Murphy could yet get a call if any of that other trio pick up knocks, or if Farrell would like him in camp for a closer look.

Bryn Ward (Ulster)

Another Ulster young gun, and someone that has also been brought in by Farrell for a closer look. Ireland took the unusual approach of putting Ward up for  media interviews, just days after the Six Nations loss to France. The idea, I’m told, is to give younger players that media exposure so that match-week is less daunting, when they finally get selected.

Ward is the son of former Ulster and Ireland back-row, Andy, and younger brother (and teammate) of Zac. This is the 21-year-old’s first full season with Ulster and it is going so well that he has been locked into a senior contract. He has 17 caps, so far, with Ulster and was the stand-out performer when Ireland ‘A’ were defeated by England, at Thomond Park, earlier this year. Still rough around the edges, but that is part of his charm. Has been playing a lot in the No 8 jersey but has lots of potential as an openside, where he played for Ireland U20s in 2024.

Alex Soroka (Leinster)

Much has been expected of Soroka since he made his senior Leinster debut, a week after turning 20, against Glasgow, in 2021. Struggled with injuries and, as a result, form in his first two full seasons with Leinster. Had a slightly better run of it for the second half of last season, and was rewarded with an Ireland ‘A’ appearance against England.

This season has been Soroka’s best yet, primarily selected as blindside for Leinster and getting more Ireland ‘A’ experience in that win over Spain. A solid lineout option, the 25-year-old also has nine lineout steals in the URC. Had his first taste of Champions Cup action in the semi-final win over Toulon. Given the uncertainty around Ryan Baird’s full return, Jack Conan being in the wars and Soroka – like Cian Prendergast – being able to cover the second row, he could be a handy squad option.