Forwards (18):
Loosehead Prop
Andrew Porter: Since making the switch from tighthead to loosehead, Porter has been crucial for Ireland. He is an incredibly dynamic frontrow, as frontrows now have to be, with a reported max squat of 325kg. His discipline in terms of penalties conceded will have frustrated the former UCD student, but he comfortably remains first choice.
Dave Kilcoyne: The fact that Kilcoyne is 34 perhaps exposes a weakness at loosehead for Ireland. The Munster man made his debut back in 2012, with the nickname “Killer”, rather apt for his powerful ball carrying game. Healy’s scrummaging ability will likely see him hold the edge as Porter’s deputy.
Jeremy Loughman: As second choice at Munster, Loughman would have bitten your hand off for this opportunity even a few weeks back, but such is the nature of professional sport. The loosehead spent his early life in the US, rejecting several offers from abroad to fight for his place with Munster. Now he gets his chance.
Tighthead Prop
Tadhg Furlong: The Wexford man’s absence was supposed to put a serious dent in Ireland’s Six Nations ambitions, but in his absence, Finlay Bealham excelled. Furlong’s ball playing ability and sheer size are unparalleled in world rugby when he is at his best. To win a World Cup, Ireland need Furlong fit.
Finlay Bealham: Connacht man Bealham took his game to another dimension on the international scene this spring. His hands for Hugo Keenan’s set play try against France proved he has the skills to play as a first receiver, as Andy Farrell likes. A brilliant back-up option.
Tom O’Toole: O’Toole was an unknown quantity to many outside of Ulster prior to the Grand Slam success, despite the fact he was named in Andy Farrell’s first ever training squad back in 2019. The 24-year-old is powerful in the loose, but his set piece game has improved no end.
Hooker
Dan Sheehan: Sheehan went from Ireland's understudy to one of the highest rated hookers in the world due to his own hard work and Ronan Kelleher’s misfortune. Playing as a lone forward in the 1-3-3-1 formation has given him licence to do damage out wide, with a frightening combo of power and pace.
Ronan Kelleher: Kelleher has had next to no luck ever since first breaking into the Ireland team in 2020. Andy Farrell’s trust in the Leinster man was evident, given he had only made 10 appearances for his province when he made his Ireland debut. It’s a nice headache to have for Ireland, but Kelleher will do well to dislodge Sheehan.
Rob Herring: Rob Herring is one of those ultimate pros that goes about his business without any fuss. He has had to bide his time with Ireland, with the South African qualifying on residency grounds. For years, he was second fiddle at Ulster to Rory Best. He will have to accept third in line here.
Read more:
- Cian Healy left out of Ireland's 33-man Rugby World Cup squad due to injury
- Iain Henderson: World Cup selection not a factor in unconvincing Ireland display
- Cian Healy injury blights narrow Ireland win over Samoa in World Cup warm-up
Second Row
James Ryan: Potentially Ireland’s best player in this year’s Six Nations. Having burst onto the scene after Ireland made the U20 World Championship in 2011, Ryan’s form dipped in recent years. He has shown he is back to his abrasive best, however. He will be key if Ireland’s lineout is to function better than against England.
Tadhg Beirne: Beirne’s move to Munster from Scarlets was one of the most crucial pieces of business the IRFU have done of late. An absolutely vital component of Ireland’s attack, Beirne has the skillset to pop passes, pull them back, or carry hard. Add to that his turnover capabilities, and Beirne is a true all-rounder.
Iain Henderson: A two-time Lion, Henderson has been incredibly unfortunate with injury and still has 73 Ireland caps to his name. In the Ulster captain’s absence, Beirne and Ryan look almost an irreplaceable partnership. Impact sub will be his likely role on the big days.
Joe McCarthy: Man mountain McCarthy was one of the major green flags against England, with his incredible power there for all to see off the bench. Against the likes of South Africa, the Leinster man would be one of the few Irish that could go direct at will. Could yet pip Henderson to a bench spot.
Ryan Baird: Equally adept in either the second row or backrow, Baird’s presence is brilliantly chaotic. His huge frame is a scrum halves nightmare on box kicks, while his pace in the loose is frightening. Like a Labrador off the leash, but he will probably miss out on the matchday 23 against South Africa and Scotland.
Backrow
Peter O’Mahony: O’Mahony has aged like a fine wine. Soon to be 34, the Cork man is only five off the century mark himself, and this will be his fourth World Cup. An incredible spring from a standing start leaves him a crucial option for Ireland on lineouts, but it’s in the big moments that O’Mahony stands up.
Josh van der Flier: There’s little else to be said about the 2022 World Rugby Player of the Year. Having broken onto the scene as a speedy openside, the Wicklow man has added huge bulk in the last 24 months. When van der Flier ticks, so do Ireland. The best in the business.
Caelan Doris: Stood down because of concussion issues back in 2021, Doris has had to be patient since Andy Farrell handed him his debut a year previously. Since then, the Ballina man has become one of the best number eights in world rugby. A warrior, and an Ireland captain in the making.
Jack Conan: The sight of the Leinster man in a moon boot after the Italy game was incredibly concerning, but he was clearly managed with much caution. His offloading game is second to none, and he fits the wide forward position perfectly in the 1-3-3-1 formation.
Backs (15):
Scrum-halves
Jamison Gibson-Park: One of the unlikely success stories of Andy Farrell’s time. A neck injury and dip in form for Conor Murray had Ireland fans worried under Joe Schmidt, but under a completely new game plan, Gibson-Park came into his own. A huge contributing factor to Ireland’s much discussed ruck speed, that allows their attack to flourish.
Conor Murray: Now one of four Limerick centurions, Murray has had to adapt his game at a late stage in his career. Gibson-Park’s hamstring kept him out of this year’s Six Nations, and Murray performed admirably as deputy. A far from impressive bench cameo against England could see Craig Casey pushing him, however.
Craig Casey: An absolute livewire, with incredible bravery and tackle technique for a man of his frame. Casey is undoubtedly more suited to Ireland’s game plan than Murray, the man he would have learned so much from at Munster. Is this Casey’s time, or is it just a year too soon?
Out-half
Johnny Sexton: How he is still here is anyone’s guess, but Sexton has played better rugby in the last 12 months than he did in the preceding three or four years. His absence will benefit Ireland in the long run as the World Cup progresses, and it will be fascinating to see how he is managed given his limited gametime.
Ross Byrne: The England game was a huge opportunity for Byrne to grasp second place in the line behind Sexton, but Byrne had a rather mixed bag. A massive hit on Elliott Daly would have pleased Farrell, as well as delightful passes for both James Lowe and Mack Hansen’s tries. Overall play was passive by times, however.
Jack Crowley: The Munster man’s drop goal against Leinster, followed by a finger wag celebration, portrayed a real swagger. He has the potential to do the remarkable, and is an unusually physical defender at 10, but equally a poor offload and a knock on against England showed frailties in his game.
Centres
Robbie Henshaw: Often used as a crashball option under Joe Schmidt, barring one failed experiment at fullback, the Athlone man has been one of the benefactors of a wider Ireland attack. Still an incredibly reliable first receiver, the42’s Murray Kinsella highlighted his deeper positioning against Italy, joining the attacking shape late.
Garry Ringrose: A lesser spotted example of a more individualistic Ireland is Ringrose’s defending. It seems the Leinster man has been given licence to shoot in order to deter attacks. It’s a risky business, but he is an expert tackler and proven decision maker. When he is missing, it’s proven noticeable.
Bundee Aki: The Connacht man was among a number of Ireland players who looked noticeably bulkier against England, but he showed he wasn’t wanting for pace either when he sauntered through for Ireland's first try. He didn’t have his finest season for Connacht, but he is capable of dislodging Henshaw at 12.
Stuart McCloskey: The Ulster centre isn’t quite in the bolter category, and he may well have made the cut even without injuries. His status as an out and out inside centre hinders his potential for game time, but he showed against South Africa last November he can be trusted for big games if needs be.
Back three
James Lowe: Upon signing for Leinster, the winger was highlighted as a world class finisher. We have seen that come to light, but his kicking game has seen him become an Ireland regular as much as anything else. He has shown improvements in his defensive game, and his power makes him a good option even when isolated in the wider channels.
Mack Hansen: Hansen displayed a bit of everything on the way to his player of the match award against England. Perhaps most satisfying was his solidity under the high ball as England tried to target him early on. Credit due to Hansen for how he has become an honorary Irishman, but so too the IRFU for locating him.
Hugo Keenan: An absolute trojan of a player. Searing pace, brilliant under the high ball, bravery in the tackle, excellent reader of the game in both attack and defence, the list goes on. World renowned (which many of the Irish aren’t in the southern hemisphere), and the most irreplaceable of the irreplaceable.
Jimmy O’Brien: Perhaps unforeseeable this time last year, but O’Brien looks primed for the 23 jersey. More than likely Ireland’s second choice fullback, made his debut at 13 against South Africa, and a superb operator on the wing. Like Keenan, he possesses magnificent speed.
Keith Earls: It was bound to happen really. Ireland’s record try scorer at World Cups gets his swansong. A man who has given everything for the jersey and more, and has shown he still has more to give. 36 tries in 100 matches is a pretty impressive record, and the reaction to his try last week showed how high an esteem he is held in. The ultimate pro.
