Republic of Ireland have named an opening Nations League squad shaped more by absences than availability. Nathan Collins and Séamus Coleman are both out, while Liam Kitching has earned his maiden call-up and several other gaps have forced a reset around the window.

Collins and Coleman's absences

Collins limped off in the first half of Brentford's 1-1 draw at Sunderland on 5 September, then played only 17 minutes before the calf issue was confirmed by Keith Andrews. Andrews said the centre-back was expected to return to club action after the international break.

The injury leaves Ireland without a defender who has made just 3 appearances and logged 200 minutes in the 2026-26 season? No, avoid. Collins has made just 3 appearances in the 2025-26 season and has logged 200 minutes this season, so the national side lose one of their main defenders at a point when he has barely settled into his club campaign.

Coleman, meanwhile, is currently without a club. Robbie Brady is in the same position, and that club status has helped push the squad away from familiar senior options and towards players who can still offer a full window of football.

The openings created by the window

Kitching's maiden call-up is the clearest selection gain. RTE Sport also said Joel Bagan and O. Elding are in contention for debut caps during the four-game window.

Sheffield Utd signed Kitching on a season-long loan on 1 September, so the move has already given him a fresh platform before the international break. Bagan had been included in the May squad for the friendly against Grenada, but he had to withdraw through injury, which makes this return to contention a neat second chance rather than a sudden surprise.

Austria visit the Aviva Stadium on Thursday, 1 October, and Ireland's home clash against Israel will be played behind closed doors at Backa Topola in Serbia on Sunday, 4 October. With Collins out and Coleman absent, the opening squad already feels thinner than one Dublin would normally expect.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →