"Sexton Included" - Andy Farrell Names Ireland Squad for 2023 Summer Series

England, Italy and Samoa will all make the trip to Dublin, as they go up against Andy Farrell's men in the Aviva Stadium.

The 2023 Six Nations Grand Slam winners are the number one ranked side in the world, and Andy Farrell has selected a squad who looked primed and ready to win Ireland's first ever Rugby World Cup.

There are three uncapped players in the squad of 42, as Ulster hooker Tom Stewart joins Leinster outside-back duo Ciaran Frawley and Jamie Osborne as the training camps' fresh faces. Despite suffering a season ending groin injury, Jonny Sexton has been included in the Ireland squad for the Summer Series. However it is unclear as to whether the fly half will lead the side as Andy Farrell is yet to name his captain.

There are nine Munster players in the squad, who have been included fresh off their United Rugby Championship title triumph over the Stormers. Leinster players make up half the squad of 42, with the 21 stars hoping to bounce back after URC semi-final, and Heineken Champions Cup Final defeats.

Ryan Baird (Leinster), Finlay Bealham (Connacht), Tadhg Beirne (Munster), Jack Conan (Leinster), Gavin Coombes (Munster), Caelan Doris (Leinster), Tadhg Furlong (Leinster), Cian Healy (Leinster), Iain Henderson (Ulster), Rob Herring (Ulster), Ronan Kelleher (Leinster), Dave Kilcoyne (Munster), Joe McCarthy (Leinster), Peter O’Mahony (Munster), Tom O’Toole (Ulster), Andrew Porter (Leinster), Cian Prendergast (Connacht), James Ryan (Leinster) Dan Sheehan (Leinster), Tom Stewart (Ulster) Kieran Treadwell (Ulster), Josh van der Flier (Leinster)

Bundee Aki (Connacht), Caolin Blade (Connacht), Ross Byrne (Leinster), Craig Casey (Munster), Jack Crowley (Munster), Keith Earls (Munster), Ciaran Frawley (Leinster), Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster), Mack Hansen (Connacht), Robbie Henshaw (Leinster), Hugo Keenan (Leinster), James Lowe (Leinster), Stuart McCloskey (Ulster), Conor Murray (Munster), Calvin Nash (Munster), Jimmy O’Brien (Leinster), Jamie Osborne (Leinster), Garry Ringrose (Leinster), Jonathan Sexton (Leinster), Jacob Stockdale (Ulster).

Dan Biggar, the sole Welshman on this prestigious list, previously earned approximately £600,000 while playing for Northampton Saints in the Gallagher Premiership after his stint with the Ospreys. However, he recently made a move to French giants Toulon, where sources indicate he is now earning around £800,000.

Maro Itoje, the talented lock, was rumored to have expressed interest in joining Racing 92 two years ago. Club president Jacky Lorenzetti inadvertently revealed that Itoje requested a 1-million-euro deal. While the exact figures of Itoje's current salary at Saracens vary, it is widely reported that he is bringing home approximately £800,000.

Cheslin Kolbe, the celebrated Springbok star, had already established himself as one of rugby's hottest commodities during his time at Toulouse. When he made the switch from one French powerhouse to another by joining Toulon, reports emerged that he began earning around 1 million euros per year. Toulouse received a substantial £2.23 million transfer fee for his services.

Finn Russell, the mercurial fly-half for Scotland, had been earning £850,000 annually at Racing 92. However, his move to Premiership club Bath is believed to be even more lucrative. Some sources estimate his new deal to be around £950,000, while others suggest a staggering £1 million per year for the duration of his three-year contract at the Rec.

For quite some time, Charles Piutau, the Kiwi sensation, has been widely reported to earn £1 million at Bristol Bears, making him the first player in British rugby to achieve such a feat. However, his tenure at Ashton Gate is expected to come to an end soon, potentially clearing the path for Finn Russell to become the outright highest earner in the game.

Note: The salaries mentioned in this article are approximate figures and subject to change as contract negotiations and market dynamics evolve.