Back 3:
Andy Farrell has a big decision to make now that Mack Hansen has been ruled out of the tournament. The Connacht winger’s absence leaves a spot in the stable back three of Hansen, James Rowe and Hugo Keenan.
There is some talk of starting Gary Ringrose on the wing, but Calvin Nash seems the best bet to replace Hansen. The 26-year-old is in good form for Munster and is probably ahead of Leinster’s Jordan Larmour. The decision on both sides is tight, but we’re leaning towards Nash.
Center:
There is no reason to break up the center partnership of Garry Ringrose and Bundy Aki, which worked so well during the World Cup. Ringrose is a key defensive leader for Ireland and Aki is coming off the best year of his career.
Robbie Henshaw and Stuart McCloskey will be looking to qualify in the coming weeks, but for now the duo of Ringrose and Aki should be favored once again at Marseille.
Halfback:
Jamison Gibson-Park remains first choice at scrum-half, but he will have a new partner this Six Nations. With the retirement of Johnny Sexton, Jack Crowley has emerged as the frontrunner to become Ireland’s starting out-half.
Crawley would have faced stiff competition from Ross Byrne if the Leinster out-half had not been ruled out through injury, but the other two out-halves in Farrell’s team, Ciaran Frawley and Harry Byrne, Both have struggled with little experience in Test rugby. There have been injuries this season. Crawley is not yet a finished product, but he has been a consistent and reliable performer for Munster and looks unlikely to lose the jersey for now.
Previous row:
Another area where Ireland is very calm regarding selection. The familiar trio of Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Tajig Furlong will be in the scrum against France, but Finlay Bealham could make a real impact off the bench and push Furlong throughout the tournament. Dew.
2nd line:
Aside from filling Hansen’s wing spot, a second-row pick is a big decision for Farrell. Joe McCarthy has been a sensation for Leinster this season and given his current form we would support the Leinster man to start at Marseille.
It will be a big decision for Farrell, who is 22 years old and has only five caps under his belt, to start McCarthy, but the Leinster lock has impressed during his warm-weather camp in Portugal, and his physical seems well suited to this challenge as it lies ahead of the Stade Velodrome.
The combination of McCarthy and James Ryan has put in some great performances against Leicester and La Rochelle since returning from the World Cup.
Seats in the back:
Naming McCarthy as the starter will have a ripple effect as they want to keep Tajig Beirne in the starting team. We were going to put the Munster man in the back row, start him at six, and move Ireland’s new captain, Peter O’Mahony, to openside.
Caelan Doris would be a great option to start at number eight in the back row, bringing experience, explosiveness and a serious threat at the breakdown.
Here are the Ireland teams to expect Andy Farrell to be named in Friday’s Six Nations opener against France.
- 15. Hugo Keenan
- 14. Calvin Nash
- 13. Gary Ringrose
- 12. Bundy Aki
- 11. James Lowe
- 10. Jack Crowley
- 9. Jamison Gibson Park
- 1. Andrew Porter
- 2. Dan Sheehan
- 3. Tadhg Furlong
- 4. Joe McCarthy
- 5. James Ryan
- 6. Taj Beirun
- 7. Peter O’Mahony (Captain)
- 8. Kaylan Doris