By Jonathan Bowen
Andy Farrell announced the Irish squad last week that he hopes will deliver Ireland only their fourth Grand Slam title.
Backs (17): Aki (Connacht), R Byrne (Leinster), Casey (Munster), Crowley (Munster), Earls (Munster), Gibson-Park (Leinster), Keenan (Leinster), Larmour (Leinster), Lowe (Leinster), McCloskey (Ulster), Murray (Munster), O’Brien (Leinster), Osborne (Leinster), Ringrose (Leinster), Sexton (Leinster), Stockdale (Ulster)
Forwards (20): Baird (Leinster), Bealham (Connacht), Beirne (Munster), Conan (Leinster), Coombes (Munster), Doris (Leinster), Furlong (Leinster), Healy (Leinster), Henderson (Ulster), Herring (Ulster), Kelleher (Leinster), Kilcoyne (Munster), McCarthy (Leinster), O’Mahony (Munster), O’Toole (Ulster), Porter (Leinster), Prendergast (Connacht), Ryan (Leinster), D Sheehan (Leinster), Van der Flier (Leinster)
It is good to see Jacob Stockdale back in the Irish fold. I still remember what a fabulous 2018 tour of Australia he had, and fingers crossed that his recent injury issues are now behind him. Congratulations also to Jamie Osbourne who was added to the squad for the first time and will more likely earn his first cap for Ireland in their game against Italy. Bundee Aki was also included in the squad. There have been many rumors about him recently which talk of a falling out he has had with Connacht coach Andy Friend. I tend not to believe any stories around Bundee Aki and Connacht currently. Bundee Aki is a loyal foot solider for Connacht who over the last few years has had many offers to leave the province and head to France for a lot more money. With all those offers on the table Bundee has been loyal to Connacht and continues to talk of a bright future for both him and the province.
Johnny Sexton and Tadgh Furlong have also been named in the squad; given their recent injuries both players are expected to be fit for Ireland’s first game against Wales. If both players are indeed fit for the first game, it will be interesting to see if they are included in the team to play Wales or will they be rested to face France at home in Dublin the following week?
The big surprise omission from the squad must be Joey Carbery. Joey has been seen by many as the natural successor to Johnny Sexton, playing an important part in many big games for Ireland. However, with Craig Casey and Ross Byrne being selected in the squad ahead of him, you cannot accuse Andy of not selecting players on form with both Craig and Ross putting big performances recently for Munster and Leinster. Other surprise omissions are James Hume and Kiran Treadwell but you must assume that the non-selection of these two players is linked to Ulster’s recent decline in form rather than individual issues with the players themselves.
Ireland’s Six Nations fixtures:
02/04/2023 – Wales v Ireland
02/12/2023 – Ireland v France
02/25/2023 – Italy v Ireland
03/12/2023 – Scotland v Ireland
03/18/2023 – Ireland v England
All Games will be live on NBC Sports across the USA and RTE and Virgin Media in Ireland.
A shout out to congratulate ex Munster and Irish Grand Slam winner and Irish Examiner USA Rugby photographer Fiona Hayes who has been included in the match day commentary team for Virgin Media. We look forward to hearing her match day insights and no doubt will be seen in her bright GREEN Jacket on match day!
I will be in New York for the Scotland vs Ireland game; I will let you know where I will be watching the game closer to the date. If you see me around, please come and say hello and feel free to have a chat with me! If you want to keep up to date with all the latest rugby news you can find me on Instagram @jb052006 or and at twitter@Jonatha25906847.