The excitement among Ireland supporters ahead of the first Nations Championship grew further on Wednesday as head coach Andy Farrell selected his 36-man squad for the three matches his team will contest in July.

Farrell's choices for the encounters with Australia, Japan and New Zealand include three players yet to earn their initial caps, all of them Connacht forwards.

Props Billy Bohan and Sam Illo, together with back row Sean Jansen, form part of the group heading to Sydney on Monday to start preparations for the three southern hemisphere Tests.

The selections highlight the strong form displayed by Connacht in the second half of the campaign, as Stuart Lancaster's side secured eighth place in the United Rugby Championship and earned a play-off spot along with qualification for next season's Champions Cup.

Six Connacht players in total feature, with Darragh Murray, Cian Prendergast and Bundee Aki also included.

The selection of front-rowers Illo and Bohan stems largely from injuries to Leinster props Andrew Porter, Jack Boyle and Paddy McCarthy, yet both newcomers aim to seize their chance.

With the first match against the Wallabies in Sydney on 4 July fast approaching, BBC Sport NI examines the profiles of the three uncapped squad members.

Kildare-born Bohan featured in Ireland's Six Nations squad earlier this year without appearing in any games.

Faced with limited loose-head prop options, Farrell has decided to review the 20-year-old again after he displayed notable composure during his debut senior season.

Bohan has become a regular starter for Connacht under Lancaster since his December debut, though Farrell also has the more seasoned Jeremy Loughman and Tom O'Toole available at loose-head.

After strong showings at underage level, Bohan moved from the Academy into the senior professional squad for this season.

He made his first senior competitive appearance for the province in the 2025-26 campaign against Georgian side Black Lion in the European Challenge Cup and went on to play 11 URC matches.

In 2025, Bohan represented the Ireland Under-20 side in the U20 Six Nations and also played at the 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship.

In January 2026, Bohan received a call-up to the Irish Wolfhounds before linking up with the senior squad.