Benson and McNabney earn first Ireland call-ups for November Nations Championship

Uncapped Ulster duo join squad as Farrell names 36-man panel without injured captain Caelan Doris

By LineZotpaper

Published21 October 2026

Read Time3 min

Sources2 outlets

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has named uncapped Ulster pair Jamie Benson and James McNabney in his 36-man squad for November's Nations Championship matches. Benson, a former England Under-20 international who qualifies through his Belfast-born mother, joined Ulster from Harlequins in the summer, while McNabney has been rewarded for his return from an ACL injury. Leinster hooker Dan Sheehan will captain the side in the absence of regular skipper Caelan Doris, who is among a lengthy list of injured players.

Farrell's squad includes nine Ulster representatives and 17 Leinster players, with just two Munster men (Tadhg Beirne and Craig Casey) and eight from Connacht. Andrew Porter, Ryan Baird, Mack Hansen and Tommy O'Brien all return after missing Ireland's summer matches against Australia, Japan and New Zealand.

Scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park has been named despite not featuring for Leinster this season, while fly-half Jack Crowley, Jack Conan (shoulder), Harry Byrne, Iain Henderson, Paddy McCarthy, Calvin Nash and Bryn Ward are among those ruled out through injury.

Farrell said of the new call-ups: "It's always great to give people a chance for the first time. Jamie Benson came into camp with us in the summer before we went away, so it was great to get to know him and see what he's all about. But he started the season really well in a few different positions for Ulster, so that shows his versatility."

Of McNabney, who had previously been involved as a training panellist, Farrell added: "And James McNabney as well. We had him into camp on the 31st of August where we had an alignment camp, and that just goes to show that we've been interested in him for a while. He's some specimen of a man and he certainly runs his weight."

Benson, 24, can play at fly-half, centre or full-back and has made four appearances for Richie Murphy's side this season. McNabney, 23, missed the entire 2025/26 campaign before returning from an ACL injury over the summer.

Ireland begin their November series against Argentina at the Aviva Stadium on Friday, 6 November (8.10pm), before hosting Fiji on Saturday, 14 November (8.10pm) and South Africa on Saturday, 21 November (4.40pm). The Nations Championship Finals Weekend will take place a week later at the Allianz Stadium in London.

Ulster duo Zac Ward and Cormac Izuchukwu have missed out on selection, as has Munster prop Jeremy Loughman. The IRFU has also confirmed that an Ireland XV side will play three games in the coming months, starting against a Fiji A selection in Cork on 20 November.

Analysis

Why This Matters

For Irish rugby, the inclusion of two uncapped players signals continued squad depth-building ahead of future international windows and tournaments.
The long injury list (including captain Doris, fly-half Crowley and back-row Conan) tests the squad's resilience but also opens doors for emerging talent.
McNabney's return from a serious knee injury and Benson's quick integration after switching from English rugby highlight the pathways available through the provincial system.

Background

Ireland began their Nations Championship campaign with victories over Australia and Japan, but lost to New Zealand in the third summer Test. Farrell now faces a congested November window with four matches, including a clash with world champions South Africa. The squad is heavily reliant on Leinster players, while Munster's representation has dropped to two after recent retirements and injuries. Both Benson and McNabney have impressed for Ulster early in the season, with Benson showing versatility across the backline and McNabney adding physicality in the back row.

Key Perspectives

Andy Farrell (Ireland head coach): Expressed excitement about the newcomers, emphasising Benson's versatility and McNabney's physical attributes. He also stressed the importance of continuing to develop players who have earned first caps over the past 18 months. Jamie Benson and James McNabney: The uncapped players now have a chance to stake a claim for regular international involvement. Benson, in particular, has made a rapid transition from the English system after being Irish-qualified. Critics/Supporters of provincial balance: The squad includes 17 Leinster players, nine Ulster, eight Connacht and just two Munster. This imbalance may raise questions about development pathways in other provinces, though Farrell has consistently selected on form.

What to Watch

How McNabney handles the step up on his return from an ACL injury, and whether Benson can secure game time in the backline given the depth of talent.
The progress of the Ireland XV development side, which will play three matches including a fixture against England A in February.
Whether the injury list clears before the Six Nations, particularly the fitness of captain Caelan Doris and fly-half Jack Crowley.

Sources

Ireland call-ups for uncapped pair McNabney and Benson · RTÉ News
Benson and McNabney handed first Ireland call-ups · BBC Northern Ireland

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12 claims in this story checked against 2 sources: 12 supported.

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SupportedJamie Benson and James McNabney have received their first Ireland call-ups.BBC Northern Ireland: “Ulster duo Jamie Benson and James McNabney have been handed their first Ireland call-ups for November's Nations Championship matches.”
SupportedFarrell named a 36-man squad without injured captain Caelan Doris.RTÉ News: “Dan Sheehan (above) will once again captain Ireland in the absence of Doris, one of 17 Leinster players in the 36-man squad”
SupportedDan Sheehan will captain Ireland in Doris's absence.RTÉ News: “Dan Sheehan (above) will once again captain Ireland in the absence of Doris”
SupportedThe squad has nine Ulster representatives, 17 from Leinster, eight from Connacht and two from Munster.RTÉ News: “one of 17 Leinster players in the 36-man squad, with nine Ulster representatives, eight from Connacht, and just two from Munster – Tadhg Beirne and Craig Casey.”
SupportedFarrell said it is great to give people a chance for the first time.RTÉ News: “"It's always great to give people a chance for the first time," head coach Andy Farrell said.”
SupportedFarrell said Benson started the season well in different positions for Ulster, showing his versatility.RTÉ News: “But he started the season really well in a few different positions for Ulster, so that shows his versatility.”
SupportedFarrell said McNabney had attended an alignment camp on 31 August and that Ireland had been interested in him for a while.RTÉ News: “We had him into camp on the 31st of August where we had an alignment camp, and that just goes to show that we've been interested in him for a while.”
SupportedFarrell described McNabney as “some specimen of a man” who “certainly runs his weight.”RTÉ News: “He's some specimen of a man and he certainly runs his weight.”
SupportedBenson is 24, is a former England Under-20 international and qualifies for Ireland through his Belfast-born mother.BBC Northern Ireland: “Former England Under-20 international Benson joined Ulster from Harlequins in the off-season and is Irish qualified through his Belfast-born mother. The 24-year-old”
SupportedMcNabney, 23, returned over the summer after missing the entire 2025/26 campaign with an ACL injury.BBC Northern Ireland: “Back row McNabney, 23, had been in Ireland training squads before and returned to action over the summer after a year on the sidelines with an ACL injury.”
SupportedAndrew Porter, Ryan Baird, Mack Hansen and Tommy O’Brien returned after missing Ireland’s summer matches.BBC Northern Ireland: “Prop Andrew Porter, forward Ryan Baird and wings Mack Hansen and Tommy O'Brien all return to the squad after missing the summer's matches.”
SupportedIreland’s first November match is against Argentina at the Aviva Stadium on Friday, 6 November at 8.10pm.RTÉ News: “Andy Farrell's side begin the second half of their Nations Championship campaign against Argentina on Friday, 6 November (8.10pm)”