Tullamore’s Cormac named in Ireland squad for November series

Cormac Izuchukwu from Tullamore has been selected on the Ireland senior rugby squad for the upcoming Autumn Nations Series.

Izuchukwu is one of two uncapped players, along with Sam Prendergast, in the squad for November’s four-match series against New Zealand, Argentina, Fiji and Australia.

Izuchukwu and Prendergast both featured for Emerging Ireland in Bloemfontein last month, with the Tullamore man among the try scorers in the win over the Airlink Pumas from South Africa.

The duo were also part of the summer tour to South Africa and they will now be hoping to earn their debut caps next month.

Born in London, Izuchukwu (24) moved to Offaly when he was seven years old and began playing rugby with Tullamore RFC. Now playing with Ulster, he also showed considerable talent as an athlete with Tullamore Harriers.

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell named a 35-player squad on Wednesday, with Caelan Doris chosen as captain, having led the team to victory over world champions South Africa in July.

In addition to Izuchukwu and Prendergast, Farrell has included other five uncapped players – Thomas Clarkson, Alex Kendellen, Shayne Bolton, Jack Boyle and Gus McCarthy – in the squad as training panellists.

The squad will travel to Portugal for a warm-weather training camp in preparation for the opening game of the Autumn Nations Series against New Zealand on Friday, November 8 (kick-off 8.10pm).

Farrell’s side will then host Argentina on Friday, November 15 (8.10pm) and Fiji on Saturday, November 23 (3.10pm), before concluding the campaign against Australia on Saturday, November 30 (3.10pm). All games will take place at the Aviva Stadium.