By Jim Stokes BBC SPORT

David Humphreys poised to lead Ireland to Japan

Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan was non-committal but many would see the Ulster fly-half as the ideal conduit between old and new faces on the tour.

"It will be an exciting tour," O'Sullivan told BBC Sport. "There'll be a young group of players going with a lot of experience sprinkled through it.

"Ulster players will be to the fore and it'll up to them to lay down a marker."

However, O'Sullivan will give a measure of thought to Leinster skipper Reggie Corrigan or former Munster leader Anthony Foley as the experienced leader.

Humphreys, though remains the favourite. If given the captaincy, he would see it as a great honour and make up for the disappointment of not being included in the 44-man Lions party to New Zealand.

Humphreys has already led Ireland twice before - in the 45-16 defeat on the 2003 summer tour and the 32-17 Six Nations success over Italy in 2002.

If the 67-times capped Humphreys is named as captain for the two Tests against Japan he will undoubtedly have plenty of familiar faces along with him.

"Looking at the demographics of the full squad, and taking the 11 Lions players out, Ulster players will feature strongly. They have been involved one way or another with us for a while."

Ulster will be looking for at least eight and maybe as many as 10 booking their ticket.

Kieran Campbell, Tommy Bowe, Kevin Maggs, Bryn Cunningham, Roger Wilson, Matt McCullough, Simon Best, Paul Shields and Ronan McCormack will all be in the frame when the tour squad is named after the Celtic Cup final.

With O'Sullivan on Lions duty, Ulster coach Mark McCall will be travelling as Niall O'Donavan's assistant with Joe Miles as team manager.

Ireland summer tour itinerary
12 June
Japan v Ireland, Nagai Stadium, 0600 BST
19 June
Japan v Ireland, Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium, 0600 BST