It might be hard to believe, but the 2025 Six Nations is just four weeks away, with Ireland set to kick off their title defence with a crunch game versus England in the Aviva Stadium.
While form might have Simon Easterby's men as the favourites for that clash, the acting head coach has already been handed a number of injury blows both to surefire starters and deputies that could leave Ireland very tight heading into the opening game on February 1st.
The loss of Craig Casey and the remaining uncertainty surrounding a host of other stars was only worsened yesterday when it was revealed that tighthead prop Tom O'Toole would be suspended for the opening two games of the tournament.
O'Toole's loss further weakens Ireland's front row where uncertainty still remains about whether Dan Sheehan and more importantly Tadhg Furlong will return. Should Furlong not be fit to play against England, Ireland will be without both of their preferred tightheads for the opening game.
Mack Hansen's involvement is also up in the air as he awaits a disciplinary hearing on Wednesday afternoon for comments he made after Connacht's loss to Leinster.
With that in mind, we've set about predicting what the Ireland squad to take on England will look like.
Predicted Ireland team to take on England
15. Hugo Keenan
If fit Hugo Keenan's place is under no threat - the fullback is currently absent with a wrist injury but is expected to return imminently.
14. Mack Hansen
It'll be a nervy twenty-four hours for the Connacht wing who is set to find out if he's to be suspended for his remarks after Connacht's loss to Leinster. However, if he's available Hansen will be well poised to take advantage of England's faltering scramble defence.
30 November 2024; Mack Hansen of Ireland during the Autumn Nations Series match between Ireland and Australia at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
13. Gary Ringrose
Possibly the hardest call on the team, Ringrose just pips Henshaw with his recent Leinster form but don't be surprised if that changes in the following weeks.
12. Bundee Aki
Aki is the in-form centre and will relish the opportunity to bruise England when they come to Dublin.
11. James Lowe
Like Keenan, James Lowe is currently sidelined owing to a calf injury. Simon Easterby will be praying the Leinster wing makes a return to action in the coming weeks.
10. Sam Prendergast
Possibly the most divisive call in this XV, Prendergast's favour in the Autumn Nations makes him the most likely starter. That said, Simon Easterby isn't Andy Farrell and could very well opt for the relative experience of Jack Crowley instead.
30 November 2024; Sam Prendergast of Ireland during the Autumn Nations Series match between Ireland and Australia at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
9. Jamison Gibson-Park
Gibson-Park is the inform scrumhalf in Ireland and second only to Antoine Dupont in the world. This decision makes itself.
1. Andrew Porter
Like JGP, Porter's position is in no doubt. The Leinster loosehead's experience and versatility could be vital in a quickly weakening front row.
2. Ronan Kelleher
With a cloud of uncertainty still surrounding Dan Sheehan's return from injury, Ronan Kelleher looks the most likely man to be leading Ireland's scrum.
3. Tadhg Furlong
The tighthead prop has been plagued by injury of late but is expected to be fit for the Six Nations later this month. Any temptation to hold him in reserve will likely have been dispelled by Tom O'Toole's suspension.
13 July 2024; Tadhg Furlong of Ireland in action against Frans Malherbe of South Africa during the second test between South Africa and Ireland at Kings Park in Durban, South Africa. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
4. Joe McCarthy
Possibly not playing to the high standard he has set for himself, enforcer McCarthy should still be at home against an England side where grit and determination will matter.
5. James Ryan
Has at times found himself frozen out to the bench, but his recent Leinster form has been phenomenal and should be more than enough to see him start.
6. Tadhg Beirne
Is arguably at his best in the second row, but is a more than capable blindside flanker and more importantly one of the team's most senior leaders.
23 November 2024; Tadhg Beirne of Ireland after the Autumn Nations Series match between Ireland and Fiji at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile
7. Josh van der Flier
Van der Flier is one of if not the most consistent back rows in the country and once again appears to be finding his best form.
8. Caelan Doris (C)
Doris is the Ireland captain and Lions captain in waiting - a surefire name on the teamsheet.
Substitutions
16. Gus McCarthy - Desputised well in Ireland's Autumn Nations Series.
17. Cian Healy - The veteran's experience playing at tighthead as well could prove crucial.
18. Finlay Bealham - The Connacht tighthead could very well find himself back in the starting side if Furlong doesn't recover quickly
19. Iain Henderson - The Ulster lock will likely deputise for the second rows, with Tadhg Beirne also capable of pushing forward.
20. Peter O'Mahony - The Munster legend is expected to return from injury in plenty of time to feature against England.
21. Conor Murray - Murray is also expected to return from injury in the coming weeks and in the absence of Craig Casey will nearly certainly see game-time.
22. Jack Crowley - A no-brainer.
23. Ciaran Frawley - His versatility makes him a marginally more attractive backs substitution than Henshaw who is very unfortunate to miss out.
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