Exciting times!
If you find yourself thirsty for some more Irish rugby following the Japan showdown on November 8, fear not as Ireland XV will be facing Spain in Leganés later that day (kick-off, 4pm).
Head coach Cullie Tucker – backed up by Mossy Lawler (backs/attack), Jimmy Duffy (forwards) and Sean O’Brien (defence) – has named an encouragingly positive squad, filled with the best young talent in the country, and one that fans of any of the provinces can have little complaints about.
From that group, here is the 23 we would like to see take to the field at the Estadio Municipal de Butarque.
Front row
Michael Milne was one of the unluckier players to be left out of the main squad, and hopefully he can send message to Andy Farrell with a strong showing in Spain.
Alex Usanov has already impressed for the Emerging Ireland side, so the fact he is the only uncapped player at a provincial level – he has been named on Leinster’s bench for the game against Zebre – will not be a worry.
Captain Tom Stewart will also be hoping to make the Irish coaches look silly, with Leinster’s third choice hooker, Gus McCarthy, getting the nod ahead of him.
Like they do for Ulster, Tom O’Toole and Scott Wilson will act as a one-two punch, with whoever is named on the bench likely to get at least 30 minutes of game time.
Second row
Despite not getting as much attention or hype as the likes of Cormac Izuchuckwu or Tom Ahern, Darragh Murray is the man who has impressed most in green.
We would like to see the Connacht star partner up with the 21-year-old Evan O’Connell, for an old-school lock combo.
Back row
Lots of combinations to choose from here, but as the player with the highest upside, Ruadhán Quinn should get an opportunity to prove himself.
Opting for a lock/blindside hybrid is often to go-to play, but with two lineout specialists in in the row, David McCann gets the nod after years of excellence with Ulster.
Sean Jansen fits in nicely at No 8, and will be primed to wreak havoc in an Spáinn.
Half-back
Nathan Doak should have been named in the main squad after a rip-roaring start to the season, and if he does get the start for XV, it will be interesting to see who takes the goal kicks between himself and Harry Byrne.
It is harsh on Ben Murphy to leave him out, but Fintan Gunne has looked sharp this season.
With Cathal Forde also covering out-half, Jack Murphy just misses out on our 23, but his time will come.
Centre
Hugh Gavin was the shock omission from the XV squad, after being favoured strongly by the Irish management over the past year.
His Connacht teammate, Forde, was his club’s outstanding centre last season and is deserving of his shot.
After a seamlessly superb start to the season with his new side Munster, Dan Kelly takes his place at 13.
Back three
A Zac Ward/Shayne Bolton wing partnership will be probably be the finest combination of size and pace we have ever seen out wide in green.
As the only recognised fullback, Michael Lowry will start after a few years in the international wilderness, but it will be intriguing to see who might take his place were he to get injured.
With Forde covering 10, it allows Robert Baloucoune to slot in on the bench.
Ireland XV to face Spain:
- Michael Milne
- Tom Stewart
- Tom O’Toole
- Darragh Murray
- Evan O’Connell
- David McCann
- Ruadhán Quinn
- Seán Jansen
- Nathan Doak
- Harry Byrne
- Zac Ward
- Cathal Forde
- Dan Kelly
- Shayne Bolton
- Michael Lowry
Replacements: Lee Barron, Alex Usanov, Scott Wilson, Diarmuid Mangan, James Culhane, Fintan Gunne, Jude Postlethwaite, Robert Baloucoune.
