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There’s a grand stretch in the evenings, and that must mean one thing. The Six Nations is upon us.
The week of announcements saw its first set of fireworks set off when France omitted Penaud, Fickou and Alldritt; and although Ireland did not quite match that, they had some big headlines of their own.
Two exciting debutants, multiple returnees and a long list of absentees makes this one of the most exciting Andy Farrell selections in about half a decade.
Debuts in waiting?
Eager eyes always look towards that little asterisk when these squads are named, and Irish fans are no different. This squad, minus training panelists features two brilliant, test level talents ready to step up in the spring.
The most talked about of the two is Munster second-row Edwin Edogbo. With a playing weight close to 130kg, the Cork kid is Ireland’s answer to Will Skelton.
Still only 23, the Cobh boy is primed for a test debut this spring; having never played international age grade rugby in his youth; on the biggest stage.
He’s joined by a former Ireland under-20 starlet; Nathan Doak. The Ulster number nine will be keen to finally pull on the green shirt again, off the back of an exciting start to the season with his native province.
Injury plague
From the ecstasy of fresh faces, to the agony of those missing out; the current absentees list is as long as we have ever seen it.
The marquee name there is Andrew Porter, who is set to sit out just his third Six Nations game of the Andy Farrell reign (30 game period). To make matters worse for Ireland, breakout rotation option at loosehead, Paddy McCarthy, is also sidelined for an extended period.
Ryan Baird and Cormac Izuchukwu are also absent, but the latter could return sooner rather than later. There’s also a plethora of backs out long-term in Mack Hansen, Shayne Bolton and Jordan Larmour; while Calvin Nash and Jimmy O’Brien missed out on selection, but also could return.
Returning faces
Mixing the good with the bad, there are five, well-earned recalls also.
Leinster out-half Harry Byrne will be keen to add to his four caps, the most recent of which in the 2024 championship; and at 26, it feels like this is the moment for the St. Michaels alum.
Also returning to the backline fold is Ulster speedster Robert Baloucoune. The Fermanagh winger scored twice for Ireland XV in November, and has five tries in six games for his province; so we know he’s in form.
Fellow Ulster men Tom Stewart and Tom O’Toole, and their front row compadre Jeremy Loughman will be looking to make good in a crisis; and all of which certainly have the tools to do so.
Harshly ommitted?
A man some had starting in Paris will feel most aggrieved with Farrell’s selection. Ulster winger Zac Ward has been in sensational form this year, adding more and more to his robust style of play.
In similar fashion, Leinster’s own 7s star turned 15s flyer, JJ Kenny, also missed out. Both will feature for Ireland XV, injury dependent, and should light up the park in that game.