
Rugby


Following on from Edwin Edogbo's debut against Italy a few weeks ago, and with Nathan Doak in line to make his first Ireland appearance this weekend, we have gone ahead and selected the best Ireland uncapped XV.
There's some amount of talent yet to be capped ahead of the 2027 World Cup!
The 20-year-old's rise has been one of the stories of the season; receiving a call-up to Ireland's Six Nations squad after only making his Connacht debut in December.
Big things are on the horizon for the academy player.
Barron has been in and around Ireland squads for years, but has suffered, like many others, due to the presence of Dan Sheehan, Rónan Kelleher, and to a lesser extent Tom Stewart.
His availability and leadership make him a vital player for his province.
Wilson's skills at the breakdown and in his carrying have led to a number of eye-catching highlights for his province, and fans have rightly been calling for Ireland call-ups.
He was involved during the summer and recently lined out for Ireland A.
With Tom O'Toole looking likely to pivot to loosehead, increased game time for his club could well lead to an elusive Ireland debut.
It was clear since the U20s that Paul O'Connell's nephew possessed the ingredients to make it to the very top level of the game.
Despite only a few caps for Munster, he was called up to the Ireland squad last summer.
Standing at 6ft 8in, the 23-year-old has been a revelation this season, and has helped Ulster continue to reverse its trend of poor forward development.
There is a group of up-and-coming Irish backrowers waiting to burst onto the international scene, including the two named below.
McNabney was leading the way until a cruel ACL injury after being named in the Ireland squad last summer ruled him out for months.
This Seán O'Brien regen is another Ulsterman benefitting from the form of his team and the environment head coach Richie Murphy has created.
With the likes of Nick Timoney, Dave McCann and Juarno Augustus knocking about, the Ulster backrow battle is fierce.
He remains the best prospect in the country, with every Ireland supporter eagerly awaiting the day he can transfer his U20s dominance to the senior game.
On this season's evidence, he's not far off it.
Connacht supporters were rightly livid when his relative lack of game time at the province led to a move to Munster for next season.
He is probably the most talented scrum-half prospect in the country.
He's been leading the backline admirably for a rejuvenated Ulster, under the tutelage of his father.
Punches above his weight for a small guy, with sublime kicking out of hand.
There's a strong argument to put JJ Kenny in here, and he would be the popular choice, but Kilgallen has been putting in strong performances over a longer period.
Had it not been for injuries, he might well have an Ireland cap by now.
The England-capped centre is the latest in a long list of excellent Irish-qualified signings Munster have brought in from abroad.
His wonder try against Glasgow was as good a solo score as we have seen since Jordan Larmour's against Munster in 2018.
He has battled his way up the pecking order past the likes of Kelly, Hugh Gavin and Cathal Forde.
The 23-year-old is on the cusp of an Ireland debut and perhaps should be on the bench or starting against Wales this weekend.
He has been one of the form players in the country this season, and was the Ulster winger that most fans wanted to see in Ireland's Six Nations squad.
Thankfully, Robert Baloucoune has been nothing short of sensational in green, and Ward will be looking to emulate his clubmate when he gets the opportunity.
Although his future is most certainly at 15, he has been used primarily on the wing this season for his province.
He possesses athletic gifts that few of his rivals have. Once he brings his fullback fundamentals to a high and consistent level, he won't be far off first-choice at Munster.
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5th March 2026
05:12pm GMT