Rarely has a provincial coach and his tactics - all four are regular starters for the southern province - been given such a slap by Ireland and Ireland A selections.

Munster's back-rows Gavin Coombes, John Hodnett, Alex Kendellen and Jack O'Donoghue have ALL been omitted from the Ireland XV Squad for Fiji ‘A’.

There are 60 first team places available each week across the four provinces while there are 38 players in the Ireland senior squad and 28 in this Ireland XV selection.

Rarely has a provincial coach and his tactics - all four are regular starters for the southern province - been given such a slap by Ireland and Ireland A selections.

Coombes, 28 years-of age, Hodnett who is 27, Kendellen at 25 and Jack O'Donoghue who is 32 are, tactically, considered the most important tactical unit at Munster.

And that's been specifically the case since the loss of out-half Jack Crowley to injury.

O'Donoghue, Coombes and Kendellen started last weekend against Leinster with Coombes and Kendellen among the five players nominated for Man of the Match award. The game finished 24-18 to Leinster at The Aviva.

Sean Edogbo, Hodnett and Brian Gleeson started the week before against Racing with Coombes and O'Donoghue coming on after 57 minutes for Edogbo and Gleeson.

The absence of thhe Munster quartet who have almost 600 appearances between them - no mean feat given Peter O'Mahony's presence up until recently - is sure to set social media alight.

However, the squad does not lack Munster back-rows as Brian Gleason and Sean Edogbo gain inclusion.

Elsewhere Leinster who have 17 players in the national squad despite Caelan Doris and Jack Conan being injured have another six in the Ireland XV.

But there is no room for 32-times capped Jordan Larmour who, working his way back from long-term injury, starts against Connacht this weekend.

There is an odd situation surrounding the props in that there are only three in this squad, all of them at Munster, but this will likely be added to nearer the day.

The squad will be captained by seven-times Ireland-capped Leinster hooker Gus McCarthy.

Coached by Mark Sexton, this Ireland XV squad will play the first of three 2026/27 match against Fiji ‘A’ to Cork on Friday, 20 November (Kick-off 7.45pm).

Ulster-based Sexton - who is hotly tipped to be added to the Ireland ticket after the 2027 Rugby World Cup - said:

“I am proud and excited to work with the Ireland XV squad for the forthcoming match against Fiji 'A' in Cork.

“This will be a great opportunity to provide an ambitious playing group from across the four provinces with a meaningful fixture against what is a talented Fiji side.

“I know from my personal experience of coaching sides in Cork with the Ireland U20s how influential a vocal Cork and Munster supporter base can be and hopefully we can count on another big crowd.

“I'm looking forward to working with the coaching team and players over the coming weeks.

“This is a hugely important fixture for players to put their hands up and try to break into the senior Men's squad and everyone will be motivated to be switched on and ready to take the chance to deliver in an Irish jersey.”

The Ireland squad will assemble in Cork on Monday, 16 November.

Threequarters (8) - Cathal Forde (Connacht), James Hume (Ulster), Dan Kelly (Munster), Shay McCarthy (Munster), Ethan McIlroy (Ulster), Daniel Ryan (Connacht), Finn Treacy (Connacht), Harry West (Connacht)

Half-Backs (4) - Joey Carbery (Leinster), Matthew Devine (Ulster), Fintan Gunne (Leinster), Jack Murphy (Ulster)

Hookers (2) Eoin de Buitléar (Connacht), Gus McCarthy (Leinster)(captain)

Props (3) - Jack Aungier (Munster), Kieran Brookes (Munster), Michael Milne (Munster)

Back-Five (11) - Tom Ahern (Munster), Paul Boyle (Connacht), Will Connors (Connacht), Edwin Edogbo (Munster), Sean Edogbo (Munster), Brian Gleeson (Munster), Cormac Izuchukwu (Ulster), David McCann (Ulster), Conor O’Tighearnaigh (Leinster), Scott Penny (Leinster), Alex Usanov (Leinster).

* The game forms part of a double-header at Virgin Media Park alongside Ireland U20s vs Scotland U20s at 5pm, Broadcast details for both matches TBC.

** Tickets for the Virgin Media Park double-header are on sale now via Ticketmaster.ie.