"Will you ever be home to the farm again?"

That was the light-hearted response from James McNabney's father after he was called into the Ireland squad for the first time.

When the news came, the 23-year-old back row was in South Africa with Ulster and, without an eSIM in his phone, was trying to connect to WiFi when out for coffee.

When finally online, he saw the email that said he had earned an Ireland call-up from Andy Farrell.

"I was delighted. It was a big moment for the family as well," McNabney said.

"My mum was very proud and I don't think my dad knew what way to take it at the start.

"But no, they're both delighted for me and I appreciate the support they've given me."

McNabney's route into the Ireland set-up is not the traditional path taken by most players.

Growing up on a farm in Ballymena, he did not watch a lot of rugby growing up and only started playing in school. At the time, horses were his focus.

Long before he had even dreamt of becoming a professional rugby player, he had represented Northern Ireland and Great Britain's equestrian teams.

"I rode horses from when I was about six until I was 16," he said.

"Horses was sort of a main hobby, then it became a sport for me."

At 16 he was given an ultimatum over his sporting future.

"Michael Black [a provincial talent coach] from Ulster was like, 'you need to make the decision whether you're going to put on a bit of timber and play rugby or stay lean and ride a horse'.

"I decided to play rugby. I was enjoying it, I stuck at it and here I am."

As for equestrian, there's no more horsing around for the big back row.

"We've still got one at home. If I'm taken to the field then I'll maybe jump on it.

"Other than that, I only do it for the craic. I haven't been on a horse in, I'd say, six months."

Given his other interests, McNabney says he did not have a lot of rugby heroes growing up and instead simply "enjoyed playing it".

"I didn't really watch it that much. That probably went against me because I was quite green, and didn't know much about it.

"But it wasn't until I was getting to Ireland Under-20s that I really thought this is what I'm going to do for a job."

An Under-20 Six Nations Grand Slam winner in 2022 and 2023, McNabney's senior Ireland chance came more than a year later than he initially hoped.

After an impressive season with Ulster, he had been included by Farrell as a training panellist for the 2025 Six Nations.

He was set to be included again for the summer fixtures against Japan and Georgia when the bulk of the front-liners were away with the British and Irish Lions, but he did not get to meet up with the squad after he sustained an ACL injury.

He only returned to action for Ulster in pre-season this summer after a year on the sidelines, and the fact Farrell has included him in the Ireland panel again at the first time of asking shows how highly he is rated by the coaching group.

At 6ft 5in and almost 19 stone, it's easy to see why Farrell described him as "some specimen of a man".

McNabney said it was the worst injury you can get as a player, but that "you just have to be patient".

"I tried to set a goalpost of where I wanted to be to get back. And then different things happened. I learned to just take it a day at a time.

"Each player is different and their bodies react differently to everything. So I just had to learn that there are going to be setbacks.

"We've got it here now and I'm delighted that I pushed through."

Now in a position to impress Farrell and his coaching team, McNabney could make his Ireland debut in November's Nations Championship matches against Argentina, Fiji, South Africa or during the finals weekend in London at the end of the month.

He says he is "delighted" he has got a chance, but even if he doesn't get any minutes on the pitch he is more than happy to play a role this autumn.

When asked what his goal was for the camp, he said to "learn as much as possible and hopefully earn my first cap".

"I don't have the expectation that I'm going to get capped. I'm here to work hard, show what I'm about.

"Just because I'm picked in the squad doesn't mean I'm necessarily going to play.

"Hopefully I train hard, get picked, and hopefully Faz [Farrell] sees what I see in myself and backs me.

"I'll just work hard and prepare the team as best as I can for the games coming up."

Given his laid-back demeanour, it's no surprise to hear that McNabney "hasn't been too fixed" on whether he will or will not make his Ireland bow in the next five weeks.

"Every young player wants to play for Ireland someday. It's hard to get into the team, that doesn't just happen," he added.

"Someday I might wear the green, but I still haven't worn it yet."