It is time for some new blood.
A handful of debuts are expected to be handed out, and the wider Ireland squad will be put to use this summer. The team face games against Portugal, Georgia, and Romania on the horizon (the latter two are yet to be announced), and a chunk of the squad off with the Lions.
Despite what was a disappointing Six Nations, there is no need for a wholesale changeover of Ireland players, but certain talents who have world-class potential and have shone for their provinces need to be brought into the fold.
We have chosen four who, given the opportunity, could push for a place in their first-choice 23 over the next year.
Hugh Gavin
The Connacht centre falls under the category of a player who, despite strong depth in the position, is too good not to get involved as soon as possible.
He was one of the lesser talked about players to feature in the 2023 Ireland U20s Grand Slam-winning squad, but a move to centre in 2024 proved revelatory as he produced one of the strongest campaigns we have seen at that level in both the Six Nations and World Championship.
In the latter competition he was borderline unplayable at times with his pace combined with a frame of over 6ft and nearly 16st, with sharp handling to boot.
Among more experienced pros, he shone for the Emerging Ireland team last October and impressed for Ireland A against England A last month.
With at least two Ireland centres expected to make the Lions squad, his chances of touring with Ireland this summer are strong.
James McNabney
The Ulsterman made up one third of a generational Ireland U20s backrow in 2023. But the blindside/number eight was least heralded alongside the side’s best forward Brian Gleeson, and his much-lauded Munster teammate Ruadhán Quinn.
However, it is McNabney who has shown the most at a senior level, culminating in a player-of-the-match performance in Ulster recent URC victory over the Scarlets.
During the game he beat the joint most defenders by a forward in the URC this season with nine, and the most by an Irish forward since Jack Conan in 2016.
This followed a dominant performance in Ulster’s defeat of Connacht in December.
Ireland are in need of firepower among their backrow options, and McNabney is looking like a Stephen Ferris regen thus far.
Ben Murphy
If any pro in Ireland needed inspiration to back themselves and take on the risk of moving team, then they should be worshipping at the alter of Ben Murphy.
The scrum-half was looking like the fifth-choice No 9 at Leinster if he had of stayed at the end of last season, but a move out west provided him with increased opportunity which he instantly made the most of, starring in their opening game of the season against Munster.
He scored two tries in Thomond that day, and has since scored three more in the league and a Challenge Cup hat-trick against Lyon.
His rise, alongside that of the younger Matthew Devine, sees Connacht with the best scrum-half depth in the country.
With Conor Murray retired from Ireland duty, there is a gap in the market and Murphy is in pole position to fill it.
Edwin Edogbo
Despite his tender age of 22, the Munster lock first starred for his province back in 2022.
Such was his early rise, it is far from outlandish to suggest that he would have had a senior Ireland cap by now were not for severe injuries issues.
He has not featured for Munster since 2023 and remains sidelined with an Achilles issue, so a place on Ireland’s summer tour is perhaps speculative.
Nonetheless, if there was a type of player that Ireland are in desperate need of it, Edogbo is it. A man of massive size who knows how to use it.
