Joe Schmidt will face some tough choices when he names first his Six Nations squad, and then the line-up that will face Wales in the first game. Does he go with the out-of-form but tried and trust? Or will be go with the in-form but inexperienced?
It's an exciting conundrum, and it's a reflection of the depth and youth in Irish rugby that the best players in the country at the moment are all quite young and inexperienced. It's also notable that only Munster's CJ Stander is included in the XV, while he's joined by just Mike Sherry in the 23 from Munster.
15. Tiernan O'Halloran (Connacht)
Save for one game against the Ospreys, Rob Kearney has been a shadow of his real self. With Zebo also in the malaise of Munster, there is only one Irish eligible fullback playing well this season. Tiernan O'Halloran has been delivering on his promise since moving to fullback at the end of last season - so much so that it was almost a shock that he wasn't in the Irish squad meet-up over New Year's
14. Rory Scholes (Ulster)
Another promising player from U-20, Scholes had to wait his time behind the queue of Andrew Trimble, Tommy Bowe, and Craig Gilroy. With injuries to Bowe and Gilroy giving him an opportunity - Scholes has taken his chance. His try against Oyonnax was fantastic, and he plays rugby as well as you'd expect Paul Scholes to.
13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster)
There's a reason why Ringrose was so highly rated, and now Leinster fans understand why. He was involved in the Irish squad over New Year's and you'd imagine he'll be with the squad over the Six Nations. His time will come, but with these performances they will come sooner rather than later.
12. Stuart McCloskey (Ulster)
As well as Ringrose has played, McCloskey has been the form Irish centre this season. The most exciting thing about McCloskey is his physical talents. Ireland have never had a centre as big as him with the subtlety in his play. The Ulsterman has pace, hands and a fondness for an offload that will make him a fan favourite. He deserves to be playing in the Six Nations, but will he?
11. Matt Healy (Connacht)
It's becoming ludicrious at this stage that Healy is continuously overlooked for an extended Ireland squad. The most exciting and in-form winger in Ireland - Healy's development since moving up from the All Ireland league has been rapid. He's got pace, poise, balance, and his defensive skills and abilities took another step this season. When Schmidt gets his hands on him, he'll improve even more. Connacht and Ireland need that.
10. Paddy Jackson (Ulster)
Where did this Paddy Jackson come from? We knew PJ was good, but Jackson's last three months have been outstanding. He looks ultra-solid with his kicks, and is getting the most out of his backline. You'd swear he was the better outhalf between him and Sexton, but it's hard to believe that Schmidt will select Jackson over Sexton for the Six Nations.
9. Eoin Reddan (Leinster)
Injuries and a loss of form have reduced the scrumhalf field, but Eoin Reddan has taken the challenge of Luke McGrath to play some of his best rugby. Murray's season has been one to forget so far, and Kieran Marmion is doing ok - but they aren't playing as well or as often as Reddan.
1. Jack McGrath (Leinster)
It shouldn't come as a shock to people, but the best loosehead prop in Ireland for the last year hasn't been Cian Healy. McGrath has gone from strength to strength with Leinster and Ireland and will fully deserve to start in the Six Nations. Injuries have robbed Ireland of the options of the in-form Denis Buckley and James Cronin, but otherwise Ireland are in rude health at loosehead prop for the foreseeable future.
2. Rory Best (Ulster)
One area Ireland aren't in rude health in is at hooker. While Rory Best is playing some of his consistently brilliant rugby, there isn't really anyone challenging him. Mike Sherry has shown us both great and bad play, and Sean Cronin and Richardt Strauss aren't humming along like they used to. Ireland need another hooker to come challenge the 33-year-old Best.
3. Nathan White (Connacht)
Mike Ross is injured, and it's not obvious that he will be back in time for the Six Nations. Tadhg Furlong is only just forcing himself back into the Leinster reckoning after a poor start to the season. Connacht's pack and scrum has been one of their strengths this season, and Nathan White schooled the impressive Rob Evans at scrum-time against Scarlets last week.
4. Aly Muldowney (Connacht)
What a fantastic season Aly Muldowney is having. The 32-year-old is stepping up as a leader, and the upskilling he has undergone under Pat Lam is typical of Connacht's brilliant rugby. He's been fantastic and it's surprising that Ultan Dillane was the uncapped Connacht lock in the Ireland squad.
5. Devin Toner (Leinster)
Munster's duo of Dave Foley and Donnacha Ryan have been blighted by injuries and poor form. If they get a run of games they should be able to do challenge. Ulster's locks are also injured - Henderson out for the Six Nations, and Tuohy unable to stay fit. That leaves Schmidt's lineout general Devin Toner who is maintaining his good form.
6. Rhys Ruddock (Leinster)
The favourite to replace Munster captain Peter O'Mahony in the Ireland squad, despite the naturalisation CJ Stander. Ruddock is one of Schmidt's favourites, and it's not hard to see why. Ruddock is a future Leinster captain, and is playing like he deserves to be a long-time international.
7. Sean O'Brien (Leinster)
After a long mysterious ear problem, the Tullow Tank came back as if he'd never been away. He dominated Munster, and part of why Leinster have turned things around so quickly.
8. CJ Stander (Munster)
As he has done for the last few years, Stander has been the stand-out Munster player. It's just unfortunate that he has been the only Munster player playing consistently well. The only question remains is whether Joe will trust Stander enough to include in him the Six Nations so soon? If Schmidt's history is anything to judge - the answer will be no.
See Also: The Form XV In Irish Rugby Gives Creedence To A World Cup Hangover
Replacements:
16. Mike Sherry (Munster)
He's been up and down, but the lack of hookers around is stark.
17. Kyle McCall (Ulster)
A man of the match display against Oyonnax is the tip of the iceberg. Yet another promising young loosehead in Irish rugby.
18. Finlay Bealham (Connacht)
Been more than competent on both sides of the scrum. Able to hold up in the tight, and gets through a lot of work in the loose.
19. Ross Molony (Leinster)
Leinster fans shouldn't worry about Leinster starting Molony against Bath on Saturday. The youngster is a better-looking version of his coach Leo Cullen. He's one to watch during the Six Nations. I wouldn't be surprised to see him as the starting Leinster lock this time next year.
20. Josh van der Flier (Leinster)
His early season form lead to an international call-up, and the young openside hasn't relented. Sean O'Brien's return to fitness has meant that van der Flier won't get as much game-time, but he's still hanging around.
21. Kieran Marmion (Connacht)
He's perhaps not banging down the door as much as he has done in recent seasons, but there's a more all round impressiveness to Marmion's game now. His service is still sharp, and he threatens around the fringes. Hopefully he'll get more than ten minutes with Ireland this season.
22. Ian Madigan (Leinster)
With Johnny Sexton struggling for form before the Ospreys game, and Ian Keatley going through a similar crisis of confidence, the only man to challenge Jackson for form is the outgoing Ian Madigan. He'll be a loss to Irish rugby.
23. Andrew Trimble (Ulster)
It'll be strange, but Andrew Trimble should go from out of the World Cup squad to first choice winger in a matter of months.
