Big guns back for Ireland as Andy Farrell names Autumn Series squad

A big November ahead.

Farrell is back in charge after taking a sabbatical to focus on the Lions, following last year's November games, with Simon Easterby stepping up for the Six Nations and Paul O'Connell doing likewise in the summer.

Captain Caelan Doris makes it in after his end-of-season injury which kept him out of the Lions Tour this summer, while most of Ireland's big guns who went on that trip are back as well.

Loosehead Paddy McCarthy is the one uncapped player in what is a fairly conservative squad, but his brother Joe has not made it back from injury despite reports that he would be fit.

Hugo Keenan had been previously ruled out, while Calvin Nash and Cormac Izuchukwu have not been considered either due to injury.

Brian Gleeson, Shayne Bolton, and Edwin Edogbo will travel to Chicago as cover.

The breakdown per province is as follows: 21 Leinster, 5 Connacht, 4 Munster, 4 Ulster.

Ireland Squad – November 2025: 

Forwards (19):

Backs (15):

2025 Autumn Nations Series Fixtures:

• Saturday, 1 November: Ireland v New Zealand, Soldier Field, Chicago, 8.10pm Irish time
• Saturday, 8 November: Ireland v Japan, Aviva Stadium, 12.40pm
• Saturday, 15 November: Ireland v Australia, Aviva Stadium, 8.10pm
• Saturday, 22 November: Ireland v South Africa, Aviva Stadium, 5.40pm.