Connacht's battering-ram centre Bundee Aki has won his first Ireland call-up for the November internationals after completing his residency qualification.
The New Zealand-born midfielder with Samoan parents has impressed consistently since joining Connacht in 2014, helping the Galway province lift the 2016 Guinness PRO12 title.
The 27-year-old's timely qualification will offset a clutch of midfield injuries for head coach Joe Schmidt, who has named four uncapped players in a 38-man squad for the Test clashes with South Africa, Fiji and Argentina.
4 uncapped players in Ireland's #GuinnessSeries Squad. Congrats Darren Sweetnam, Bundee Aki, Chris Farrell & Adam Byrnes pic.twitter.com/UF2JBsR2QG
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) October 26, 2017
Schmidt has named the uncapped quartet of Aki, Leinster's Adam Byrne and Munster duo Chris Farrell and Darren Sweetnam for next month's Tests, with fit-again Rory Best retaining the captaincy.
"In what we anticipate will be an incredibly physical Guinness Series plenty will be demanded of the squad," said Ireland boss Schmidt.
"We have retained a core of experienced players but have also included a number of promising players that we hope will acquit themselves well."
Congratulations to the Connacht contingent named in the @IrishRugby squad for the November internationals! #StrongerInGreen pic.twitter.com/cZhBuC3CYj
— Connacht Rugby (@connachtrugby) October 26, 2017
Aki's inclusion will help Schmidt cope with the injury absence of star Leinster centre Garry Ringrose, and also aid in the continued absence of Ulster duo Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding due to off-field reasons.
Ulster's Stuart McCloskey and Jacob Stockdale step into the squad to bolster the midfield options as well.
Ireland Squad
Forwards: Rory Best (Ulster) (Captain) 104 caps, Jack Conan (Leinster) 4 caps, Ultan Dillane (Connacht) 10 caps, Tadhg Furlong (Leinster) 16 caps, Cian Healy (Leinster) 70 caps, Iain Henderson (Ulster) 32 caps, Rob Herring (Ulster) 1 cap, Dave Kilcoyne (Munster) 20 caps, Dan Leavy (Leinster) 4 caps, Jack McGrath (Leinster) 41 caps, Sean O'Brien (Leinster) 49 caps, Tommy O'Donnell (Munster) 12 caps, Peter O'Mahony (Munster) 40 caps, Andrew Porter (Leinster) 2 caps, Rhys Ruddock (Leinster) 16 caps, James Ryan (Leinster) 2 caps, John Ryan (Munster) 9 caps, CJ Stander (Munster) 15 caps, Devin Toner (Leinster) 50 caps, James Tracy (Leinster) 4 caps, Kieran Treadwell (Ulster) 2 caps
Backs: Bundee Aki (Connacht) uncapped, Adam Byrne (Leinster) uncapped, Joey Carbery (Leinster) 4 caps, Andrew Conway (Munster) 3 caps, Keith Earls (Munster) 62 caps, Chris Farrell (Munster) uncapped, Robbie Henshaw (Leinster) 29 caps, Dave Kearney (Leinster) 16 caps, Rob Kearney (Leinster) 76 caps, Ian Keatley (Munster) 5 caps, Kieran Marmion (Connacht) 16 caps, Stuart McCloskey (Ulster) 1 cap, Luke McGrath (Leinster) 4 caps, Conor Murray (Munster) 57 caps, Johnny Sexton (Leinster) 66 caps, Jacob Stockdale (Ulster) 2 caps, Darren Sweetnam (Munster) uncapped