Well, it doesn’t actually kick off for a couple of weeks yet, but you get my drift. Simon Easterby has officially taken charge of the Irish men’s senior team with Andy Farrell having jumped ship – temporarily at least – to scout for talent for the British And Irish Lions team he will take on tour in midsummer.
However, in the first squad actually picked by the man with the regal horse racing pedigree, the only surprises have been the lack thereof.
Leinster’s Jack Boyle is the only uncapped player included, though there are a quartet of others – Hugh Cooney (Leinster), James McNabney (Ulster) and the Connacht duo of Cathal Forde and Ben Murphy have been bracketed as ‘Development Players’ – which presumably means standby but they will be involved in all the prep for the experience.
Caelen Dorris will again skipper the side while the Mayo man is expected to be joined by his Leinster teammates Dan Sheehan and James Lowe on Sunday week as that duo return from injury.
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