Growing up on a farm near Ballymena, James McNabney did not follow rugby closely during his school years before taking part in matches at an early age.
His primary focus while growing up was horse riding rather than sport other than what he played on the pitch.
Following an impressive campaign with Ulster last season, McNabney was initially named as a training panellist for the 2025 Six Nations tournament by Warren Farrell.
He was scheduled to join the squad again for summer fixtures against Japan and Georgia when many front-line players were away with the British and Irish Lions.
An ACL injury prevented him from meeting the Ireland group before that period, leaving him on the sidelines for a full year.
McNabney returned to competitive action for Ulster only in pre-season this summer after spending twelve months out of the game.
Farrell has now included McNabney in the Ireland panel at his first request, demonstrating high regard from the coaching staff.
His journey into the set-up differs significantly from the traditional route most players take to reach the national team.
The selection comes despite the fact that he had not been part of the squad during the summer window when many others were away with Lions training.
McNabney's family life and his father's reaction to the call up are topics he is prepared to discuss publicly.
He remains committed to balancing his agricultural background with his professional rugby career moving forward.