Ulster’s James McNabney’s form has been rewarded with a maiden Ireland call-up ahead of their upcoming Nations Championship campaign.
The 6’5″ flanker has been impactful for his province and Ireland boss Andy Farrell has backed the youngster to excel in the green jersey, labelling him a “specimen of a man”.
James McNabney as well… We had him into (an alignment) camp on August 31… and that just goes to show we’ve been interested in him for a while,” Farrell said of the forward.
“He’s some specimen of a man. And he certainly runs his weight.”
Just 23-years-old, McNabney will be training with Ireland’s elite in and around their November meetings with Argentina, Fiji and South Africa.
He is one of two uncapped players called-up, alongside provincial teammate Jamie Benson.
McNabney’s farmer Dad has typical reaction to call-up
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McNabney, who grew up on a family farm in Clough, outside Ballymena, rode horses during his youth before focusing fully on his rugby credentials.
The back-row spoke to reporters on Tuesday about how he learned of his Ireland selection, revealing he was in Pretoria at the time.
I was in Pretoria, over with Ulster to play the Bulls,
“I was sitting in a coffee shop and opened my phone… because I hadn’t got an eSIM, so I was trying to connect to the hotel Wi-Fi.
“But yeah I got the email and I was delighted.”
Naturally his family were delighted, but his Dad’s reaction was certainly typical of an Irish farmer.
‘Mum was very proud… my Dad… he didn’t know what way to take it at the start. He said: “Will you ever be home to farm again?”
“But they’re both delighted for me and I appreciate the support they have given me.”
“Mum was very proud. Dad, he didn’t know how to take it, at the start. He said, ‘Will you ever be home to the farm again?'” 🚜😅
@UlsterRugby forward James McNabney on learning of his @IrishRugby call-up and his parents’ reaction 💚 https://t.co/gdJPLUPABd
— Pat McCarry (@patmccarry) October 27, 2026
Brilliant stuff.