Here we go again.
The IRFU have announced Andy Farrell’s Ireland squad for the opening rounds of the 2023 Six Nations.
Italy have gone with a small squad of 33 players for rounds one and two of the championship, while France (with 42 picks) have been on the other end of the scale. We are expecting Farrell to fall in between those stools and select 36 or 37 players.
While Johnny Sexton and Tadhg Furlong are included, and passed fit, for the opening rounds, Robbie Henshaw is the biggest name to miss out. Andrew Conway has yet to play this season so is not expected to be in the squad. James Lowe was given permission to return to New Zealand for family matters but is set to return for the start of the championship.
The biggest omissions are Henshaw and Robert Baloucoune (both injured) as well as Kieran Treadwell, Joey Carbey and James Hume.
IRELAND SQUAD
BACKS (17): Bundee Aki, Ross Byrne, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley, Keith Earls, Jamison Gibson Park, Mack Hansen, Hugo Keenan, Jordan Larmour, James Lowe, Stuart McCloskey, Conor Murray, Jimmy O’Brien, Jamie Osborne, Garry Ringrose, Johnny Sexton, Jacob Stockdale.
FORWARDS (20): Ryan Baird, Finlay Bealham, Tadhg Beirne, Jack Conan, Gavin Coombes, Caelan Doris, Tadhg Furlong, Cian Healy, Iain Henderson, Rob Herring, Ronan Kelleher, Dave Kilcoyne, Joe McCarthy, Peter O’Mahony, Tom O’Toole, Andrew Porter, Cian Prendergast, James Ryan, Dan Sheehan, Josh van der Flier.
We will follow all the big selection news, speculation, revelations and quotes from Andy Farrell, regarding his Ireland squad announcement. All will be covered in our liveblog, RIGHT HERE:
On the latest House of Rugby [LISTEN from 63:05 below], Jason Hennessy, Lindsay Peat and Brian Moylett discussed the Ireland squad calls and some names that could feature as fringe selections and development players.
Ireland start off their 2023 Six Nations campaign away to Wales before welcoming France to Dublin. They then travel to Rome to take on Italy, and on to Edinburgh to face Scotland.
May 18th sees Ireland welcome Steve Borthwick’s England to the Aviva Stadium. Both sides will be pining their hopes on that game deciding the championship and, potentially, a Grand Slam.
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WATCH HOUSE OF RUGBY HERE:
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