Ireland predicted team: ‘Generational talent’ wins key positional battle as Simon Easterby ‘puts faith’ in tried and trusted combinations
From left to right: Simon Easterby, Sam Prendergast and Dan Sheehan
It’s all change in the Ireland coaching box this Six Nations, but interim head coach Simon Easterby has picked the tried and trusted players to don the green jersey as they aim for a third-successive title.
With Andy Farrell taking a leave of absence to focus on the upcoming British and Irish Lions tour, Easterby has picked an incredibly strong squad that could push a few players into contention for the Wiganer’s touring party in July.
Easterby is also boosted by a couple of crucial returnees, notably in the front-row with Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong both named in the squad after missing the November Tests through injury.
Without further ado, here is our best guess at Ireland’s starting XV to face England in round one.
15 Hugo Keenan
Whilst he wasn’t at his most impactful in the autumn, Hugo Keenan should retain the full-back jersey this Six Nations. When at his best, Keenan is arguably the best full-back in the world, with his seriously deadly blend of aerial prowess, counter-attacking skills and speed making him a major threat in the backfield.
14 Mack Hansen
He might be in a bit of hot water right now, but there is no doubt Mack Hansen is a talent, and he should take his usual spot in the backline. The Connacht man is Ireland’s chief poacher and has this ability to just sniff a try out of nowhere to get his side on the front-foot.
13 Garry Ringrose
The number 13 spot is a tricky one, but Garry Ringrose should just edge out Robbie Henshaw. The Leinsterman has been in seriously impressive touch this season and seems to have changed his game a bit to add some punch as well, which should compliment his midfield partner nicely.
12 Bundee Aki
The first name on the teamsheet for Easterby should be Bundee Aki, who will be hoping to carry over his stellar autumn form into these Championships. His brand of direct, powerful running is so valuable to Ireland’s overall attack, and he marries this well with seriously strong defence too. Aki needs a big Six Nations too if he wants to make a claim for the Lions jersey.
11 James Lowe
Ireland seem fairly confident regarding the fitness of winger James Lowe, which means he should slot straight in on the wing. Lowe is another player who has been so pivotal during the Farrell era, with his powerful running and kicking game a huge part of Ireland’s arsenal, and his connection with the rest of the backline should give him the edge over Calvin Nash.
10 Sam Prendergast
The?big call, but Sam Prendergast’s form in recent weeks means he should hold off Jack Crowley and retain the 10 shirt. The generational talent has exploded onto the scene this season, but crucially he has also performed in both big club games and at Test level. After a steady Ireland debut, he also grew and grew as the autumn went on, which should fill Easterby with confidence.
9 Jamison Gibson-Park
Whilst there might be a fresh face at fly-half this Six Nations, Jamison Gibson-Park will likely partner him in at nine. The Leinster back has been the heartbeat of his side’s success in recent years but needs to rediscover that form if they stand a chance of making it three titles in a row.
8 Caelan Doris
You’d imagine Easterby will put his faith in the Leinster skipper to lead his team into battle this Championship. Doris comes into the Six Nations in outstanding form, and if the autumn was anything to go by he should once again find himself at the centre of everything for his side. This is also essentially an audition for the Lions too, so he needs to carry on performing well.
7 Josh van der Flier
The tried and trusted combination of Doris and Josh van der Flier looks set to reunite in the green jersey once again. The former World Rugby Player of the Year is also bang in form, like his back-row colleague, and continues to show his marked improvement in attack as well as having his usual brilliant defensive touches too. With the likes of Ben Earl, Jac Morgan and even Tom Curry gunning for a spot on the Lions tour too, he will need a big Championship to stake his case.
6 Tadhg Beirne
A tough decision awaits Easterby at blindside, but the form of Tadhg Beirne shouldn’t be ignored. The Munsterman is coming in off some seriously impressive performances for his province, and will also act as another leader within this Ireland squad too if called upon.
5 James Ryan
Leinster’s James Ryan should also then come in at lock with Beirne switching into the back-row. Ryan is also in pretty decent touch of late, and has seemingly taken his defensive game to new heights since the introduction of Jacques Nienaber. This will please Easterby no end.
4 Joe McCarthy
It’s an all-Leinster lock unit, with Joe McCarthy slotting into the number four jersey once again. He is steadily getting back to the form he was in at the start of the last Six Nations, and like Ryan has taken massive strides forward on the defensive side of the ball this season too.
3 Tadhg Furlong
A very timely return for Tadhg Furlong, who should retake his spot at tighthead now he is fully up and running. Furlong has been the blueprint of the modern-day prop for so long now, and when on song is by far the best in the game at what he does, so it’ll be a huge bonus to have him back.
2 Dan Sheehan
Speaking of injury returns, Dan Sheehan is an absolutely?massive?boost for his side heading into the Six Nations, and it could be the spark they need to kick back into gear. The hooker packs serious power and physicality but blends this with genuine pace that even some of his backline would be jealous of. A real talent, and one that Easterby will be delighted to have running around the paddock.
1 Andrew Porter
Rounding off the starting XV is Andrew Porter, who is arguably the form loosehead in the world right now. His work around the park has always been a super strength, but he has shored himself up at scrum-time brilliantly and become a serious operator in this department too.
Replacements:
16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Ryan Baird, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Conor Murray, 22 Jack Crowley, 23 Robbie Henshaw
You’d imagine that Easterby will turn to a strong bench to complement the work of his starters. Ronan Kelleher is potentially unlucky not to start, but will be hungry to prove a point when deployed. Cian Healy will bring vital experience too, and Finlay Bealham will also be looking to make his mark as he seeks a return to the starting XV. Ryan Baird and Jack Conan should add plenty of impact and crucially cover multiple positions.
In the back options, Conor Murray will again add plenty of experience and Crowley and Henshaw will also bring a different dynamic to the backline as well.
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