Captain Max Deegan is one of six senior capped players starting on the Irish XV side to face England A on Friday night at Thomond Park (kick-off 7.15pm, live on Premier Sports). Ulster’s Zac Ward, starting on the left wing, and Leinster’s Joshua Kenny on the right are two who have impressed. Bryn Ward, who also travelled to Portugal, joins his brother Zac on the team and starts at openside flanker, bringing to five the number of starting Ulster players. IRELAND XV: Shane Daly (Munster); Joshua Kenny (Leinster), James Hume (Ulster), Dan Kelly (Munster), Zac Ward (Ulster); Ciarán Frawley (Leinster), Fintan Gunne (Leinster); Billy Bohan (Connacht), Gus McCarthy (Leinster), Scott Wilson (Ulster); Charlie Irvine (Ulster), Fineen Wycherley (Munster); Max Deegan (Leinster) (capt), Bryn Ward (Ulster), Brian Gleeson (Munster). Replacements: Diarmuid Barron (Munster), Sam Crean (Ulster), Jack Aungier (Connacht), Harry Sheridan (Ulster), Paul Boyle (Connacht), Matthew Devine (Connacht), Cathal Forde (Connacht), Sean Jansen (Connacht).

Source: The Irish Times February 04, 2026 18:15 UTC