Ian Foster has named six new players in his 38-man squad to face Ireland in a three match series next month.

Now, prop Aidan Ross, loose forward Pita Gus Sowakula, halfback Folau Fakatava, first-five Stephen Perofeta, midfielder Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and outside back Leicester Fainga’anuku are the contenders to become All Black No 1200 in the July series against Ireland.

Here’s all you need to know about the new players.

We profile the six who will vie for their first All Blacks jersey next month:

Leicester Fainga’anuku

Born: October 11, 1999 in Nuku’alofa, Tonga. Age: 22

Physical: 1.88m, 109kg

Province: Tasman. Super Rugby team: Crusaders

Folau Fakatava

Born: December 16, 1999 in Nuku’alofa, Tonga. Age: 22

Physical: 1.77m, 80kg

Province: Hawke’s Bay. Super Rugby team: Highlanders

Stephen Perofeta

Born: March 12, 1997 in Whanganui. Age: 25

Physical: 1.81m, 85kg

Province: Taranaki. Super Rugby team: Blues

Aidan Ross

Born: October 25, 1995 in Sydney, Australia. Age: 26

Physical: 1.89m, 111kg

Province: Bay of Plenty. Super Rugby team: Chiefs

Born across the Tasman, Ross also qualifies to represent Scotland through his grandfather.

Pita Gus Sowakula

Born: October 26, 1994 in Lautoka, Fiji. Age: 27

Physical: 1.95m, 110kg

Province: Taranaki. Super Rugby team: Chiefs

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

Born: June 5, 1993 in Apia, Samoa. Age: 29

Physical: 1.82m, 96kg

Province: Auckland. Super Rugby team: Blues

Ross has been selected for the upcoming 2022 Steinlager Series at the All Black’s recent squad naming on Monday, June 13.

The three match 2022 Steinlager Series kicks off on Saturday, July 2, where the team will play against Ireland at Eden Park in Auckland.

Following matches will be played on Saturday, July 9, at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, and Saturday July 16 at Sky Stadium in Wellington.

AB v Irish Rugby tour will begin at Eden Park in Auckland on July 2.

“It was pretty amazing to be selected. You write goals down at the start of each year and to be able to tick them off is real pleasing, and a proud moment for me and my family,” says Ross.

“My family was very stoked. They were all parked up in Tauranga watching the livestream, I wasn’t able to be with them but they were very happy.

The 26-year-old prop says it has been a goal to make the All Blacks team for a long time.

“I think it’s the goal of every young rugby player to be an All Black one day. It’s great to be able to make the squad.

“The next thing now is to try and strive for a test jersey.”

Aidan says him and the newly announced All Blacks squad is “pumped as” about gearing up to ‘test the luck of the Irish’ in the three test Steinlager Series against Ireland, a team that has became an increasing threat since the All Blacks had their first defeat against them in the 2016 Autumn International in Soldier Field, Chicago.

Since then, Ireland has been alternating wins and losses against New Zealand, so the upcoming three test matches will feature some very competitive games.

Ross says the All Black preparation for the series involves a gym and field session each day, as current Blues and Crusaders squads are preparing for their upcoming Super Rugby Pacific final this weekend.

“We come in during the morning and hit the gym and have a field session each day, and once next week hits all the other players will be joining.

“It’s only day one so far, so I’m sure there’s a bit more training to do in the coming weeks.

“We’re real excited. It’s going to be a huge series, we’ve got three games against Ireland in our home country. We get to all play in front of our family and friends. It’s going to be wicked.

“I’m sure the Irish players are pretty keen to get over here as well, so it’s going to be some real quality games.”