An unprecedented three-in-a-row is on the cards.
Ireland begin their Six Nations defence this Saturday against England at the Aviva Stadium (kick-off, 16:45).
The team will be named on Thursday, with a nearly-full squad available to stand-in head coach Simon Easterby, as Tadhg Furlong and Craig Casey are both unavailable.
Much of the team picks itself, but there are big calls to be made in the back five of the pack, at centre, out-half, and on the bench.
Ireland 23 vs England:
Loosehead prop – Andrew Porter
Ireland’s most indispensable player, given the drop off to a 37-year-old Cian Healy.
His scrummaging has improved drastically over the last few months, and if he can keep up his current form he will be in player of the tournament conversations come March.
Hooker – Dan Sheehan
Just a month ago it looked that, at best, Sheehan would be back mid-way through the competition, and eased back in from the bench behind his club mate Rónan Kelleher.
But a miraculously quick return from his ACL injury and a two-try come performance in his comeback game against the Stormers on Saturday make him favourite to start.
As Ronan O’Gara recently said, “he kills teams on his own”.
Tighthead prop – Finlay Bealham
With Tadhg Furlong’s unfortunate injury, it is a no-brainer to include the experienced Connacht man.
Massive opportunity for Tom Clarkson off the bench.
Lock – Joe McCarthy
Ireland’s enforcer could also be an option off the bench, but Ireland would then run the risk of finishing the match with only Tadhg Beirne as a line out specialist.
McCarthy’s carrying has looked good for Leinster over the past number of games, and his penalty count has noticeably dropped.
Lock – Tadhg Beirne
Another vital operator in the team, more so because of his sheer quality than a depth issue.
The question is whether to start him at blindside flanker or lock.
To get our best players on the pitch he should start at No 6, but he is better utilised at second row.
Blindside flanker – Peter O’Mahony
Ireland’s best line out operator and a man who has shown once again this season that he is more than capable of rising to the biggest occasions.
England at the Aviva Stadium. You would be a fool not to back POM to deliver.
Openside flanker – Josh van der Flier
In similar form to what we saw in 2022, when he was crowned World Rugby Player of the Year.
Number eight – Caelan Doris
One of the game’s best who can do it all.
If Ireland can retain the title, he will be our most likely shout for player of the tournament.
Scrum-half – Jamison Gibson-Park
He has struggled to find the form of 2023 and the start of the 2024, which saw him consistently acknowledged as one of the world’s best players.
However, his and Leinster’s form have been steadily improving over the last month.
Out-half – Sam Prendergast
Whether it’s Prendergast or Jack Crowley, you are getting a quality, in-form operator, with the other ready to be sprung from the bench, offering up a different picture to the defence.
Prendergast’s superior kicking out of hand swings it by a hair. This could be invaluable, especially if Ireland are under the cosh.
Left wing – James Lowe
Made his comeback alongside Dan Sheehan last weekend, and looked sharp in his 80-minute showing.
Another man hoping to improve on an average November for Ireland.
Inside centre – Bundee Aki
Has emerged as the leading member of Ireland’s ‘big three’ centres.
Knows he has to be near his best to keep his place in the side, with Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, and now Jamie Osborne all looking for minutes.
Outside centre – Garry Ringrose
A controversial call given Henshaw’s outstanding form for both Ireland and Leinster this season.
However, Henshaw’s passing can let him down at times, giving his Leinster partner the upper hand.
Right wing – Calvin Nash
Mack Hansen was given ample time in November to rediscover his form of 2023, but failed to hit those heights.
Nash – who didn’t see a minute of game time in the last international window – has been superb for Munster and is the best option at this moment.
Fullback – Hugo Keenan
Few, if any, cover the backfield and the air to his standards.
Tempting to put the more powerful Osborne in at 15, but Keenan is close to undroppable.
Replacement:
Rónan Kelleher
Cian Healy
Tom Clarkson
James Ryan
Jack Conan
Conor Murray
Jack Crowley
Jamie Osborne
