Certainties, maybes and bolters for Ireland’s Rugby World Cup squad

Just a year to go!

Ahead of this year's November Series, we have had a look at the contenders to make the plane, as well as picking our own 33-man squad.

We will be updating as the season progresses.

Loosehead prop:

Ireland's strength in this area will rely a lot on the development and fitness of Paddy McCarthy and Jack Boyle, as well as the continued improvement of Tom O'Toole after his switch to loosehead.

It is currently a relatively weak area at set-piece, but they have time to flip the script.

Certainties -

Andrew Porter, Paddy McCarthy

Strong contenders -

Tom O'Toole, Jack Boyle

In with a shot -

Jeremy Loughman, Billy Bohan, Michael Milne

Bolter -

Alex Usanov

Hooker:

The major concern at hooker has been Rónan Kelleher's lineout work off the bench.

It provides an opportunity for one of Tom Stewart or Gus McCarthy to make a play for the role of Dan Sheehan's deputy, with Stewart leading the race.

Certainties -

Dan Sheehan, Rónan Kelleher

Strong contenders -

Tom Stewart, Gus McCarthy

Tighthead prop:

Tadhg Furlong remains the only 'sure thing', although Tom Clarkson had a big 2025/2026 season and is not far off cementing his place on the plane to Australia.

Sam Illo and Scott Wilson are talented but quite inexperienced. Nevertheless, they have been excellent provincially, and have been capped by Ireland and Ireland XV, respectively.

Niall Smyth is one of the country's most hotly-tipped prospects, and could make a play for Ireland involvement after togging out for Leinster in their pre-season games and getting picked for their South Africa tour squad.

There is also the slim chance that Andrew Porter will make the switch back to tighthead, given the superior strength in depth at No 1.

Certainties -

Tadhg Furlong

Strong contenders -

Tom Clarkson, Finlay Bealham

In with a shot -

Sam Illo, Scott Wilson

Bolters -

Niall Smyth, Fiachna Barrett

Second row:

Along with the three main men, a fit Edwin Edogbo will be too good to leave at home.

That should leave one space for a lock/blindside hybrid, such as Cormac Izuchukwu or Tom Ahern.

Certainties -

Tadhg Beirne, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan

Strong contenders -

Edwin Edogbo, Darragh Murray, Cormac Izuchukwu, Iain Henderson

In with a shot -

Tom Ahern

Backrow:

The men in the 'strong contenders' bracket have proven to be reliable stand-ins, but the emergence of one of Brian Gleeson, Byrn Ward or James McNabney as a world-class option, could be a difference maker.

Certainties -

Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris, Jack Conan

Strong contenders -

Nick Timoney, Cian Prendergast, Sean Jansen

Bolters -

Brian Gleeson, Bryan Ward, James McNabney

Scrum-half:

Craig Casey may lose his place as back-up to JGP, but it his highly unlikely he won't travel to Australia.

Nathan Doak made big ground last season, earning his Ireland debut, although his Ulster teammate, Matthew Devine, is seen by many as the most talented option.

Certainties -

Jamison Gibson-Park, Craig Casey

Strong contenders -

Nathan Doak

In with a shot -

Caolin Blade, Fintan Gunne, Ben Murphy, Matthew Devine

Out-half:

Ciarán Frawley is in the driving seat to go as third choice, given his versatility, and his move to Connacht, where he will be the first-choice 10.

Casper Gabriel has a genuine chance at usurping Harry Byrne as Leinster's back-up, while Ulster's new signing, Jamie Benson, has already been at an Ireland training camp - showing clear intent from management.

Joey Carbery's return will be fascinating, but he may be played more at fullback for his province.

Certainties -

Sam Prendergast, Jack Crowley

Strong contenders -

Ciarán Frawley, Harry Byrne

In with a shot -

Jack Murphy, Joey Carbery

Bolters -

Casper Gabriel, Jamie Benson

Centre:

Given their age and the competition for places, stalwarts Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw can no longer be seen as absolute certainties.

Hopefully one of the younger options will have a breakthrough year with Ireland, but it is looking increasingly unlikely.

Certainties -

Garry Ringrose, Stuart McCloskey, Jamie Osborne

Strong contenders -

Bundee Aki, Robbie Henshaw

In with a shot -

Jude Postlethwaite, Tom Farrell, Dan Kelly, James Hume

Bolters -

Cathal Forde, Hugh Gavin

Back three:

With four men seemingly on the plane, there is at most two places up for grabs.

Jimmy O'Brien and Jacob Stockdale have the experience, but Shayne Bolton and Zac Ward have a rare combination of size, speed and form.

Certainties -

Robert Baloucoune, Mack Hansen, Tommy O'Brien, Hugo Keenan

Strong contenders -

Jimmy O'Brien, Jacob Stockdale

In with a shot -

Calvin Nash, Shayne Bolton, Zac Ward, JJ Kenny, Jordan Larmour

Bolters -

Diarmuid Kilgallen, Finn Treacy

SportsJOE's 2027 Ireland World Cup squad

Props: Andrew Porter, Paddy McCarthy, Tom O'Toole, Tadhg Furlong, Tom Clarkson, Niall Smyth

Hooker: Dan Sheehan, Rónan Kelleher, Tom Stewart

Second row: Tadhg Beirne, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan, Edwin Edogbo, Cormac Izuchukwu

Back row: Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris, Jack Conan, Brian Gleeson

Scrum-half: Jamison Gibson-Park, Nathan Doak, Craig Casey

Out-half: Sam Prendergast, Jack Crowley, Ciarán Frawley

Centre: Stuart McCloskey, Bundee Aki, Jamie Osborne, Garry Ringrose

Back three: Mack Hansen, Robert Baloucoune, Zac Ward, Hugo Keenan