David Humphreys will lead Ireland in the tour to Japan

The experienced fly-half is joined by nine uncapped players in the 26-man panel for the tour, which will include two Test matches.

Munster second row Trevor Hogan, Leinster's Kieran Lewis and Conor McPhilips from Connacht are new faces to the Irish squad.

The Lions tour to New Zealand rules out 11 Ireland players for the Japan trip.

Ulster quartet Roger Wilson, Matt McCullough, Kieran Campbell and Paddy Wallace, along with David Quinlan (Leinster) and Bernard Jackman (Connacht), have all been involved with Irish squads in the past but still await a first cap.

"With such a high representation on the British & Irish Lions, the squad for Japan gives us a chance to look at players in certain areas," said coach Niall O'Donovan.

"These include the back row and second row, where there is a glut of talent coming through, allowing us to look at options as cover for players such as Anthony Foley and also at scrum half.

"With two tough full international games against Japan, the key to the squad was getting the balance right and given that there are also six players with less then ten caps, the need for experience in key areas of the pack and in the backs was essential."

Ireland play the first of their two Tests in Osaka on Sunday, 12 June with the the second Test in Tokyo the following Sunday, 19 June.

Ireland squad - forwards: Simon Best (Ulster), Reggie Corrigan (Leinster), Leo Cullen (Leinster), Simon Easterby (Llanelli), Trevor Hogan (Munster), Marcus Horan (Munster), Bernard Jackman (Connacht), Denis Leamy (Munster), Matt McCullough (Ulster), Eric Miller (Leinster), Johnny O'Connor (Wasps), Frankie Sheahan (Munster), Roger Wilson (Ulster).

Backs: Tommy Bowe (Ulster), Kieran Campbell (Ulster), Girvan Dempsey (Leinster), Gavin Duffy (NEC Harlequins), Anthony Horgan (Munster), David Humphreys (captain, Ulster), Kieran Lewis (Leinster), Kevin Maggs (Ulster), Conor McPhilips (Connacht), David Quinlan (Leinster), Peter Stringer (Munster), Paddy Wallace (Ulster).

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