Down under.

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt and his coaching team named their Ireland squad for this summer’s tour of Australia yesterday with two uncapped players earning their first call-ups to the national side.

Scarlets forward Tadhg Beirne, who will be a Munster player next season, has been rewarded for his fine form as has Leinster playmaker Ross Byrne. Other than that – it’s pretty much all systems go, with all of Ireland’s top names set to travel.

Schmidt however, named just a 32-man squad, meaning a number of players who might have expected a call-up miss out. Anyway, let’s take a look at the winners and losers from the squad announcement.

The winners.

Tadhg Beirne.
What an incredible couple of seasons this man has had. From leaving Leinster and contemplating early retirement to becoming one of the best forwards in European rugby right now. Thoroughly deserves his call-up, and if he can replicate his club form at international level – the Aussies won’t know what hit them.

John Cooney.
Another man who began at Leinster and took the tough road to success. After a disappointing spell at Connacht, he joined Ulster last season and was named their player of the season. A superb talent, who also offers an excellent kicking game. Expect him to get his chance to shine in Australia.

Ross Byrne.
The youngster has been so consistent for Leinster the last couple of seasons, this call-up had to come. Leo Cullen usually gives him the nod at ten ahead of Joey Carbery with Leinster, so it will be interesting to see if he can convince Joe Schmidt to do the same. Super player who will only get better.

Quinn Roux.
The Connacht lock was once again a bit of a surprise inclusion, but clearly Schmidt sees something in him. Has an incredible task on his hands to get in the team ahead of James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne and Iain Henderson. But the vote of confidence from Schmidt will do him the world of good.

Rob Herring.
The Ulster hooker was impressive during the November internationals, and perhaps unlucky to miss out on Six Nations selection. He’s now been given a second chance though, ahead of the likes of James Tracy and Niall Scannell.

The losers.

Sam Arnold.
A lot of people were pretty certain Arnold was gonna get the call after an excellent season, especially considering he trained with Ireland throughout the Six Nations. But to be fair – he’s still on 21 and Schmidt knows what he’s doing. Arnold will get his chance, just not this summer.

Luke McGrath.
A strange one leaving out the Leinster scrumhalf, who’s been in excellent form this season. But he’s had a lot of issues with injury in recent weeks so perhaps Schmidt and Leinster felt the summer off would do him the world of good.

Rhys Ruddock.
Another man who’s had a torrid time with injury. Once again he’s probably been given the summer off because of that. He badly tore his hamstring back in December and only recently returned. No need to haul him to Australia so soon.

Rory Scannell.
The Munster centre has once again been one of their standout performers this season, but the competition in the centres is incredible. When you’re up against the likes of Aki, Ringrose and Henshaw, it’s never going to be easy. That being said though – strange Schmidt only brought three out and out centres, especially considering Aki and Henshaw are currently carrying knocks.

James Tracy.
The Leinster hooker probably thought he would have got the nod over Rob Herring, but it wasn’t to be. There’s also a case for Niall Scannell, but he’s another guy who’s had a stop-start season with injury and could probably do with the rest to get his body right for the new season.