We picked the best Ireland XV of non-Leinster players

A serious rugby team

It is a serious side and further highlights the depth in Irish rugby.

The breakdown of the squad is as follows: 11 Ulster, 8 Munster, 4 Connacht.

Front row

Leinster utterly own this area, with Ireland's top-three looseheads, two Lions at hooker, and two of the top-four tight heads.

Nonetheless, there are some great options, with Kieran Brookes monstering scrums in his first few games since joining Munster this summer and Ulster hookers Tom Stewart and Rob Herring already proven internationals.

Lock

Serious depth here, with Ireland great Tadhg Beirne partnering his Munster teammate Edwin Edogbo.

On the bench, the ever-impressive Darragh Murray sneaks ahead Tom Ahern.

Backrow

After the best season of his career in 2025/2026, Nick Timoney wards off serious competition from Cian Prendergast, Dave McCann, John Hodnett and Alex Kendellen.

At blindside we've gone for Cormac Izuchukwu, with James McNabney sneaking ahead of Sean Jansen on the bench.

Half back

Another area of strength, with two Munster stars to start and two of Ulster's finest off the bench.

Centre

Stuart McCloskey had won the Ireland 12 jersey off Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw before his injury.

The form of Tom Farrell has also forced the hand of Andy Farrell, and he has finally made long-awaited Ireland debut.

Back three

Mack Hansen's hat-trick performance at fullback against Australia allows us to pick a rejuvenated Robert Baloucoune on the right wing.

It was a very tough decision to decide between Zac Ward, Jacob Stockdale, Shayne Bolton and Ethan McIlroy.

Non-Leinster Ireland 23:

1. Michael Milne
2. Tom Stewart
3. Kieran Brookes
4. Edwin Edogbo
5. Tadhg Beirne
6. Cormac Izuchukwu
7. Nick Timoney
8. Gavin Coombes
9. Craig Casey
10. Jack Crowley
11. Zac Ward
12. Stuart McCloskey
13. Tom Farrell
14. Robert Baloucoune
15. Mack Hansen

Replacements: Billy Bohan, Rob Herring, Tom O'Toole, Darragh Murray, James McNabney, Matthew Devine, Jack Murphy, Bundee Aki.