The five next-gen players who should make their Ireland debut this year

Potential superstars.

Those below have proven, without doubt, that they have the capability to play international rugby and be world-class options in the coming seasons.

A couple of them could see game time in the Six Nations, and Andy Farrell should make it a priority to cap them all before the year is out.

Jude Postlethwaite (Ulster) - Centre

Bundee Aki, 37, Stuart McCloskey, 35, Robbie Henshaw, 34, Tom Farrell, 34, Garry Ringrose, 32.

These are the ages that the centres used by Ireland in November will be by the time of the 2027 World Cup.

Age does not mean that these men will automatically be worse than younger options, but having five men who are 32 or above greatly increases the chances that one or more will not be at the level required.

Furthermore, we have already seen a decline in the performances of Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw in recent months, while concurrently, the likes of Postlethwaite and Dan Kelly have been on the rise.

Unfortunately Jamie Osborne is injured and cannot be tried at 12/13 for the Six Nations, but the time is now to blood the Ulsterman.

Edwin Edogbo (Munster) - Second row

The feel-good story of Irish rugby, in recent times, has been the injury-free run of games enjoyed by both Tommy O'Brien and Edogbo.

The Leinster winger has become the player his talent had always promised, culminating in his ascension to the Ireland team.

It is now the turn of the Munster lock, and it could realistically come in one of the first two games of the Six Nations, given the injury to Ryan Baird which might push Tadhg Beirne into the backrow.

Andy Farrell is clearly a fan, having chosen the 23-year-old to train with Ireland during their preparation for the New Zealand game in Chicago (Edogbo was unable to take him up on the offer after suffering an injury against Leinster).

His stand-out showing away to Toulon on Sunday, in the daunting Stade Mayol, has only increased his odds of a debut in the near future.

Brian Gleeson (Munster) - Number eight

The 21-year-old was also invited to train for that aforementioned All Blacks game, and like his teammate, could not avail of it after injuring himself in the same derby.

Thankfully, his return to play has been swift and he can further his case for inclusion against Castres this weekend.

Again, like Edogbo, he offers athleticism that is rarely seen on these shores, and should be viewed as a player who needs to be first-choice by the time of the World Cup.

Nathan Doak (Ulster) - Scrum-half

The goal-kicking No 9 is now living up to the reputation he rightfully garnered after a stunning U20s career and rapid start to his Ulster career in 2021.

Consistent starts since the departure of John Cooney have been the main factor in his rise this year, and he seems to be ahead in the battle for Ireland's third-choice scrum-half, as long as Andy Farrell selects on form.

If given opportunities in green, he will soon be pushing Craig Casey for a bench spot.

Zac Ward (Ulster) - Wing

If the Ireland team for France on February 5 was being picked on form, then Ward would have to start at the Stade de France.

Against Munster two weeks ago, he beat 13 defenders - the most across the weekend in the URC, Prem, and Top 14, and the second most in a URC game since the 2009/2010 season - and made 132 metres.

He has now done the business for Ulster in multiple provincial derbies, the Champions Cup, and has shown out for both Emerging Ireland and Ireland XV.