Advertisement League of Ireland Horse Racing TV Listings GAA Fixtures The Video Review Sport meets news, current affairs, society & pop culture Rugby Weekly Extra Dive into all the news and analysis 3 times a week The Football Family Weekly insights from the week’s big talking points Advertisement More Stories Zac Ward, Shayne Bolton and Ben Murphy during Tuesday's training session.Ben Brady/INPHO back in camp 'We want everybody playing over the next few weeks' - Ireland gear up for summer tour Attack coach Mike Prendergast on Ireland’s plans for Georgia and Portugal. 6.31am, 25 Jun 2025 Share options NEXT WEEK AN Ireland squad captained by Munster’s Craig Casey will depart for a two-game tour of Georgia and Portugal (5 & 12 July). The hard work is already well underway, with the group training at the IRFU’s Abbotstown base. With so many of the regular Ireland coaching staff and players joining Andy Farrell on the Lions tour there is a new feel to this camp, being run by head coach Paul O’Connell, with a total of 12 uncapped players in the building. Munster’s Mike Prendergast is on board as attack coach, and says the plan is to expose as much of the touring party as possible to game time over the two upcoming Tests. “That would be the intention. We’ll see obviously game by game, without getting two clichéd. So ideally yeah, that’s why they’re in here. There’s a few lads in obviously in terms of training (panellists) with us as well. So our intention will be to get as many guys onto the pitch as we can over the next two weeks.” That selection will largely be led by the coaches on tour, but there will also be input from Farrell and Co in Australia. “There’s a bit of everything I suppose, a bit of mix and match,” Prendergast said. “Obviously, the senior coaches want to see certain players in certain positions. We fully respect that. Then we’ll be asked our opinions as well. It’s a bit of a shared job. As we come towards the weekend there’ll be dialogue over and back (to Australia). We’ll respect every decision that will be made. There’s been really good, open conversations amongst us.” Advertisement Ireland attack coach Mike Prendergast.Ben Brady / INPHO Ben Brady / INPHO / INPHO The early messaging has revolved around getting everybody up to speed so the group can hit the ground running against Georgia, a task that’s easier said than done when you have so many faces that are new to the environment. “The aspect we spoke about most was just been able to connect people together both on and off the pitch and the Irish players are generally good at that. “So yeah, it’s been very positive so far and from a coaching point of view as well, we obviously would know each other. Some of us haven’t worked with each other. I suppose we’re connecting as well and to be fair to the staff, we’ve been in good dialogue with them over the last couple of weeks through Paul etc, with Andrew Goodman, with Faz etc. So everything was laid on for us in terms of how we want to play and what we’re looking for. “We (Munster) wouldn’t play a million miles away from the way Ireland play,” he continued. “There’s a couple of little nuggets. Obviously, your terminology is a small bit different. Paul had our heads in the books, learning the terminology over the last couple of weeks. “We came in ready, nice and loaded. The players help you out there as well. They will know that in terms of the calling, the terminology. From that point of view, it’s been very, very good.” Paul O'Connell is head coach for the summer tour.Ben Brady / INPHO Ben Brady / INPHO / INPHO With the core group of the Ireland squad touring Australia, there’s an increased onus on this squad’s more senior players to step up in terms of leadership. “We’re fortunate, especially in around that half-back area, there’s good experience there. Stuart McCloskey has been in and around the squad a lot. Ryan Baird, so there’s a lot of guys that are that are well experienced. “These are the times when you get squads together, we always talk about leadership on the pitch, off the pitch, but when you get together with a new squad that’s something that you really look for, your leaders to step up and drive us and show the way. And to be fair to them, they’ve been excellent from what I’ve seen. “Some of it’s new to me as well and some of the lads are new to me, and just working with them over the last few days has been really pleasing. We’ve spoken about connecting with people, staff, players etc. That’s where we’re aiming to get and it’s been very very good so far, I’m very positive.” For those less familiar with the Ireland set-up the camp is an opportunity to put themselves forward and impress, with a view to staying involved when the November Tests roll around later this year. “There’s a really good unity there and the big thing I’ve noticed is just they’re willing to help each other. Some guys are more familiar with stuff than others and you can hear just the little micro-chats going on with each other and being really encouraging because we’ve come together as a squad and as a staff with a goal to go and win two games and that’s what we want to do. “So everyone realizes that we pull together as a squad there, it’s a squad effort. Ideally we’ll want everybody playing over the next few weeks.” Ciarán Kennedy Viewcomments Send Tip or Correction Embed this post To embed this post, copy the code below on your site Email “'We want everybody playing over the next few weeks' - Ireland gear up for summer tour”. Recipient's Email Feedback on “'We want everybody playing over the next few weeks' - Ireland gear up for summer tour”. Your Feedback Your Email (optional) Report a Comment Please select the reason for reporting this comment. Please give full details of the problem with the comment... This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy before taking part. Leave a Comment Submit a report Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines. Damaging the good reputation of someone, slander, or libel. Racism or Hate speech An attack on an individual or group based on religion, race, gender, or beliefs. Trolling or Off-topic An attempt to derail the discussion. Inappropriate language Profanity, obscenity, vulgarity, or slurs. Advertising, phishing, scamming, bots, or repetitive posts. Please provide additional information Thank you for the feedback Your feedback has been sent to our team for review. Leave a commentcancel Access to the comments facility has been disabled for this user View our policy ⚠️ Duplicate comment Post Comment have your say Or create a free account to join the discussion back in camp Mike Prendergast 'What a goal. That is one of the great goals we’ve seen in Croke Park. Magic, magic Mulligan!' Declan Bogue 31 mins ago Camino to Colorado: 'Full circle moment' as Nolan returns to Ireland duty 46 mins ago Benfica beat Bayern to top group, Lyon appeal relegation to Ligue 2 by financial regulator FreeSean Grehan Ireland U21 defender signs for newly-crowned League Two champions Doncaster Test matches Fickou to captain youthful France squad for tour of New Zealand Dan Sheehan goes from ‘despising’ Ellis Genge to loving ‘funny bloke’ Lions prop Revenge mission against Cork caused Limerick to peak on 18 May Ronan Early Full Barbarians squad confirmed to face Springboks Revenge mission against Cork caused Limerick to peak on 18 May Ronan Early '€25, you're having a laugh' - Season-low Cork City crowd takes aim at club owner Usher Joe Schmidt rejects Lions’ demands to release Australia stars for tour games more from us Investigates Daft.ie Property Magazine Allianz Home Magazine The 42 Sports Magazine TG4 Entertainment Magazine Money Diaries The Journal TV Journal Media Advertise With Us About FactCheck Our Network FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition more from us TV Listings GAA Fixtures The Video Review Journal Media Advertise With Us Our Network The Journal FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition © 2025 Journal Media Ltd Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition Switch to Desktop Switch to Mobile The 42 supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at https://www.presscouncil.ie, PH: (01) 6489130, Lo-Call 1800 208 080 or email: mailto:info@presscouncil.ie Report an error, omission or problem: Your Email (optional) Create Email Alert Create an email alert based on the current article Email Address One email every morning As soon as new articles come online Sign in or create a free account To continue reading create a free account Or sign into an existing account