Kieran Brookes joins the Ireland XV squad to face Fiji A in Cork after qualifying through his grandparents.
Former England prop Kieran Brookes has received a surprise call-up for an Ireland XV fixture against Fiji A scheduled for next month. The upcoming match for Ireland's second string will take place in Cork on Friday, 20 November, just one day before Andy Farrell takes his senior squad to Dublin to play South Africa.
The 36-year-old tight-head prop earned 16 caps for England during his career, but his last Test appearance came back in 2016. Because of the long absence, he is fully free to switch his international allegiance under World Rugby laws, which require only a 36-month stand-down period for dual-qualified players.
Brookes is eligible to represent Ireland thanks to grandparents who were born in Belfast and Dublin, according to information published by BBC. His impressive form since joining Munster during the summer ultimately caught the attention of selectors ahead of the autumn fixtures.
Eligibility rules and international career
Brookes originally made his England debut against New Zealand under head coach Stuart Lancaster in 2014, later appearing three times at the Rugby World Cup the following year. All of his international appearances came while he played domestically for either Newcastle or Northampton Saints.
However, his subsequent switch from Wasps to French club Toulon in 2021 rendered him unavailable for further England selection under strict RFU policy. The IRFU maintains a similar selection stance regarding home-based players, meaning a reunion was unlikely until Brookes secured a move to an Irish provincial side.
Squad selections and coaching setup
The 28-man panel features another former England international in Munster team-mate Dan Kelly, who earned a single cap for England in 2021. The development squad will be led by Ulster attack coach Mark Sexton for the upcoming encounter in Cork.
Meanwhile, Leinster fly-half Joey Carbery is set to wear a green jersey for the first time in four years. The 30-year-old playmaker re-joined Leinster from Bordeaux-Begles this summer, having previously won 37 caps and a 2018 Six Nations Grand Slam during his first spell in Irish rugby.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Kieran Brookes eligible to play for Ireland?
Kieran Brookes qualifies to play for Ireland because he has grandparents who were born in Belfast and Dublin, and he satisfied the World Rugby stand-down period since his last England cap in 2016.
When is the Ireland XV match against Fiji A?
The Ireland XV fixture against Fiji A will be played in Cork on Friday, 20 November, one day before the senior Ireland team faces South Africa in Dublin.
Who else is included in the Ireland XV squad alongside Brookes?
The 28-man squad includes Munster team-mate Dan Kelly, another former England international, and Leinster fly-half Joey Carbery, who returns to the setup under the guidance of Ulster attack coach Mark Sexton.
