Tongue was initially included in the squad due to injury concerns surrounding James Anderson and Ollie Robinson, who have now been given rest ahead of the Ashes series against Australia next month.
Despite the presence of the seasoned Chris Woakes, who was recalled to the Test squad for the first time since March 2022, Tongue was chosen to lead the bowling attack alongside Stuart Broad.
The 25-year-old has an impressive record of 162 wickets in 47 matches in first-class cricket, with 11 of those coming in this season’s County Championship.
“It’s an amazing feeling. (I’m) speechless really, even from when I got the first call-up to be in the squad. Now being in the actual team, it’s just a dream come true,” Tongue said.
“I’ve never played at Lord’s before for Worcester, so it’s my first time being here and experiencing the ground. I’ve come to watch Test matches with my family here, but this is my first time playing here.”
Fit-again Jonny Bairstow will make his first Test appearance since August, having returned from a freak golf injury that kept him out of the T20 World Cup in Australia last year.
The four-day Test against Ireland begins on Thursday, with the Ashes series under way at Edgbaston from June 16.
England team to face Ireland:
Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Matthew Potts, Josh Tongue, Jack Leach.
(With inputs from Reuters)
