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Andy Farrell has added Tom Farrell and Jimmy O'Brien to his Ireland squad for their clash with New Zealand in Chicago on Saturday week and for three Quilter Nations Series games that will follow next month. The uncapped Farrell was Munster's Player of the Year last season after a brilliant debut campaign for the Reds following his move from Connacht in the summer of 2024. The 32-year-old gave a reminder that he is the country's in-form centre in Munster's 31-14 victory over Leinster at Croke Park on Saturday evening . Farrell is included after it emerged that Bundee Aki has a hip issue and Robbie Henshaw a groin problem, but both will travel to Chicago with the squad on Tuesday, while Stuart McCloskey is also travelling despite limping off for Ulster in their URC round four win at the Sharks on Saturday. However Mack Hansen, who might have got the nod at full-back in the absence of Hugo Keenan for the four-game Test window, has been ruled out after aggravating the foot injury that kept him out of the three British and Irish Lions Test games with Australia in the summer. Hansen suffered the injury while scoring a last minute try for Connacht in their 28-27 defeat to the Bulls in Galway on Friday night and his absence is a blow to Farrell's plans, with Calvin Nash already ruled out with a shoulder injury, and so the versatile Jimmy O'Brien will provide back three cover. Incidentally, Test squad newcomer Farrell out-jumped O'Brien in the big interpro at GAA HQ last weekend to score a crucial first half-try for Munster. Munster pair Edwin Edogbo and Brian Gleeson were due to travel with the squad but both were forced to come off at Croker, with Edogbo suffering a concussion and Gleeson an elbow injury that means they will miss the trip. There are no further additions to the squad, with Jack Conan (twisted) and Tommy O'Brien (back) still included despite missing from Leinster's matchday squad last weekend. Uncapped Leinster prop Paddy McCarthy will follow the return to play protocols after failing to return from a head injury assessment but is also Chicago-bound. Forwards: Tom Ahern (Munster), Ryan Baird (Leinster), Finlay Bealham (Connacht), Tadhg Beirne (Munster), Jack Boyle (Leinster), Thomas Clarkson (Leinster), Jack Conan (Leinster), Caelan Doris (capt) (Leinster), Tadhg Furlong (Leinster), Iain Henderson (Ulster), Rónan Kelleher (Leinster), Gus McCarthy (Leinster), Paddy McCarthy (Leinster), Andrew Porter (Leinster), Cian Prendergast (Connacht), James Ryan (Leinster), Dan Sheehan (Leinster), Nick Timoney (Ulster), Josh van der Flier (Leinster). Backs: Bundee Aki (Connacht), Caolin Blade (Connacht), Craig Casey (Munster), Jack Crowley (Munster), Tom Farrell (Munster), Ciarán Frawley (Leinster), Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster), Robbie Henshaw (Leinster), James Lowe (Leinster), Stuart McCloskey (Ulster), Jimmy O'Brien (Leinster), Tommy O’Brien (Leinster), Jamie Osborne (Leinster), Sam Prendergast (Leinster), Garry Ringrose (Leinster), Jacob Stockdale (Ulster). Squad cover: Shayne Bolton (Connacht) The Gallagher Cup and Quilter Nations Series Fixtures: The Gallagher Cup Saturday, 1 November: Ireland v New Zealand, Soldier Field, Chicago (3.10pm local time/8.10pm Irish time) - Live on Virgin Media/TNT/IrishRugby+ Quilter Nations Series: Saturday, 8 November: Ireland v Japan, Aviva Stadium, Dublin (12.40pm Irish time) Saturday, 15 November: Ireland v Australia, Aviva Stadium, Dublin (8.10pm Irish time) Saturday, 22 November: Ireland v South Africa, Aviva Stadium, Dublin (5.40pm Irish time).
