The only tonic to Ireland's Rugby World Cup quarter-final loss to New Zealand, is to look to the future and the budding talent making waves at bother international, Champions Cup, and URC level.
Never has Ireland had such depth in the sport, and it will be fascinating to follow the journeys of those mentioned below, with many on show in this weekend's URC games.
Balls.ie's Best Ireland Rugby U23 Squad
Jack Boyle (21) - Loose Head Prop
He hit the game time jackpot at the start of this season, with a rake of injuries at Leinster, plus Andrew Porter's involvement at the World Cup.
It leaves him as first choice loose head for the time being, and the opportunity to make serious ground on his teammates.
Had a tough, albeit try scoring, outing - as did most of the Leinster side - in this season' opening URC game away to Glasgow, but came back stronger against the Sharks.
28 October 2023; Ireland rugby : Jack Boyle of Leinster in action against Phepsi Buthelezi, left, and Francois Venter of Hollywoodbets Sharksduring the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Hollywoodbets Sharks at the RDS Arena in Dublin. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
READ HERE: The Best Ireland XV Of Players Who Missed Out On World Cup Selection
READ HERE: An All-Time Irish Rugby XV With No Two Players From The Same County
Tom Stewart (22) - Hooker
He is already proving that last season's URC try topping year was no fluke, with three tries in his first two outings this season.
His first goal for the season will be to take the first-choice no.2 jersey off the ever consistent Rob Herring, with a chance at Six Nations minutes also on offer should his high-quality output continue.
With another year under his belt, and the addition of World Cup winning Steven Kitschoff, the Ulster tight-five could help turn the province into a serious European contender.
Rory McGuire (21) - Tight Head Prop
This is a harsh call on Tom Clarkson, but McGuire did well enough in his cameo against Glasgow to retain his spot for the Sharks game at Clarkson's expense.
The former Blackrock College man has size with his 6ft 4in, 19st frame, and has an U20s Grand Slam under his belt as well.
Joe McCarthy (22) - Lock
From a personal point-of-view, the World Cup was a massive success for McCarthy and his development, with a near Player of the Match performance against Romania, and an impactful appearance off the bench in the quarter-final loss.
Will be a huge player for both Ireland and Leinster over the next number of years, and his presence could be the difference in getting Leinster over the line this season in their search for a fifth star.
14 October 2023; Ireland players Joe McCarthy, left, and Mack Hansen after their side's defeat in the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final match between Ireland and New Zealand at the Stade de France in Paris, France. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Tom Ahern (23) - Lock
Last year looked destined to be his breakout season after starring on the Emerging Ireland Tour to South Africa.
Injuries put paid to those hopes, but his game changing performance off the bench against Benetton last Sunday showed that he will be right back into contention for an Ireland call-up over the next year.
Cian Prendergast (23) - Blindside Flanker
It's easy to forget just how young Prendergast is, given his experience with Ireland and the lack of caps for some his talented and older peers.
He will need to continue his progress to keep ahead of the chasing pack of young Irish backrowers.
Alex Kendellen (22) - Openside Flanker
It was tempting to pick Ruadhán Quinn here, and despite Kendellen's progress stalling slightly after an incredible 2021/22 season, Quinn has yet to prove it on the European stage.
However, it will be difficult to come by game time once the World Cup stars are back, and a move up north could be perfect for him.
Brian Gleeson (19) - Number Eight
Another man who may struggle for game time with the depth at Munster, but given that he is just 19 years of age and still eligible for the U20s, this is not an issue.
Arguably the best prospect in Irish rugby right now.
Brian Gleeson batters through the Barbarians defense to score a try on his Munster debut.
First of many.pic.twitter.com/b5u4COFfQN
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) September 30, 2023
Nathan Doak (21) - Scrum-Half
The most accomplished of those without international senior international honours, and another who will be in contention for a Six Nations call-up.
Like his teammate Stewart, he needs to take the starting jersey off his more senior rival - John Cooney - and make himself an indispensable difference maker in the Ulster team.
Jack Crowley (23) - Out-Half
Everything came together for Crowley during the semi-final and final of last season's URC, with his superbly varied, gain line threatening attacking game coming to the fore as Munster saw off Leinster and the Stormers.
These performances were enough to elevate him to second choice for Ireland, and he remains in pole position to start in the upcoming Six Nations and truly put his stamp on the international game.
Sky's the limit.
Munster 16-15 Leinster - Has Jack Crowley won it for Munster? A drop-kick with minutes left on the clock puts them in front.
📺 Watch on @RTE2 & https://t.co/OIsnQ76QnT
📱 Follow https://t.co/4c446IqbvX
📻 Listen https://t.co/CIxLsTSL49 pic.twitter.com/IRm44AYCRy
— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) May 13, 2023
Ethan McIlroy (23) - Left Wing
Had a relatively disappointing 2022/23 season after his breakthrough in 2021/22, but he starts his first game of the season against Connacht tomorrow and will be looking to put pressure on the first-choice wingers.
Special mention to Leinster's Aitzol King (21), who shone for the 2022 Ireland U20s Grand Slam winning, and whose large, athletic frame should see him rise quickly through the ranks.
Cathal Forde (22) - Inside Centre
The Galway man is still technically 21, but he turns 22 tomorrow.
He has been in stunning form during Connacht's opening two URC games, and while it is very early doors, he finds himself second in the metres gained and defenders beaten charts, fourth in clean breaks, and fourth in tackles made with a remarkable 32.
21 October 2023; Ireland rugby : Cathal Forde of Connacht in action against Jack Walsh of Ospreys during the United Rugby Championship match between Connacht and Ospreys at The Sportsground in Galway. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
Jamie Osborne (21) - Outside Centre
Osborne turns 22 in less than two weeks, but we'll leave his age as is for the time being.
He has become a big presence in the Leinster backline, and a player who you would have full confidence in to fill in in a Champions Cup knockout game.
Unfortunately Ireland are stacked at centre, but he will likely be involved in the Six Nations squad.
Diarmuid Kilgallen (23) - Right Wing
The imposing 6ft 4in wing is in the process of nailing down a starter berth at Connacht, following the cruel injury to Santiago Cordero.
The less said about his almost botched finished vs Glasgow the better, however.
Special mention to the speedster Aaron Sexton (23), who starts for Ulster against Connacht tomorrow evening.
61 nóiméad #CONvGLA@connachtrugby 32@GlasgowWarriors 19
Dara úd faighte ag Diarmuid Kilgallen inniu 💪
What a steal by Kilgallen!@IrishRugby @URCOfficial #BKTURC #Rugby pic.twitter.com/q9oMwUY9j2
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) October 28, 2023
Paddy Campbell (21) - Fullback
An All-Ireland minor winner with the Cork footballers, Campbell is perfectly suited for fullback.
Along with a host of other young Munster stars, he made his debut/breakthrough away to Wasps in the 2021/22 season.
He is currently out injured, but expect him to feature in the URC in 2023/24.
Replacements:
Paddy McCarthy (20)
John McKee (23)
Tom Clarkson (23)
Edwin Edogbo (20)
Ruadhán Quinn (20)
Ethan Coughlan (22)
Sam Prendergast (20)
Chris Cosgrave (22)
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