The November series cast Ireland's front row deficits bare, with the absence of Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong, as well as concerns about Ronan Kelleher's fitness forcing Andy Farrell to hand out a volley of debuts and flick back through the history books to fill the position.
However, after Andy Farrell's Lions sabbatical getting underway earlier this month, Simon Easterby who is taking charge in his absence will have a number of big choices to make.
While Sheehan and Furlong will be hoping to return to the fray ahead of spring's Six Nations, Easterby looks set to be hit by another injury crisis after Craig Casey picked up a knee injury during Munster's Champions clash with Castres that looks likely to rule him out of the Six Nations.
Casey's absence could leave Ireland's scrumhalf options down to the bare bones. There is little doubt that if fit, Leinster's Jamison Gibson-Park will be the man wearing Ireland's number nine jersey come February.
However, who his two deputies will be is less certain. Like Gibson-Park, if he's fit there's little doubt that Conor Murray will be in the Ireland squad. However, at 35 the Irish veteran has been both more injury prone and facing diminishing gametime both provincially and nationally. Having already spent time on the sidelines this season, Ireland will at least need one strong back-up to Murray, if not two.
Following Casey's unfortunate injury, we've assessed the lay of the land and compiled a list of potential options Easterby could use at scrumhalf in the Six Nations.
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Ireland's back-up scrumhalf options
Conor Murray (Munster)
23 November 2024; Conor Murray of Ireland during the Autumn Nations Series match between Ireland and Fiji at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Murray has been one of Irish Rugby's greatest servants over the last decade and a half, however, at 35 years of age and facing diminishing game-time it is yet to be seen whether the Munster man will be able to deputise for JGP for the entirety of the tournament and provide ample cover for any games the Leinster man is rested for.
That said, if fit, Conor Murray will be the favourite to don the number twenty-one jersey in 2025.
Caolin Blade (Connacht)
30 June 2023; Caolin Blade during Ireland rugby squad training at the IRFU High Performance Centre on the Sport Ireland Campus in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Going off experience Connacht's Caolin Blade could be the man to stand in as either second or third choice scrumhalf for the Six Nations. Blade has enjoyed a positive start to the season, but most importantly proved his abilities when he replaced Conor Murray in last summer's dramatic second test versus South Africa where Ireland won thanks to Ciarán Frawley's drop goal.
That, Blade's previous experience in the 2023 Six Nations, and the manner in which Ireland dealt with November's hooker crisis should all bode well for the Connacht man's chance of earning a Six Nations place.
Matthew Devine (Connacht)
31 August 2024; Matthew Devine of Connacht during the pre-season friendly match between Connacht and Sale Sharks at Dexcom Stadium in Galway. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
While Blade has the experience, Matthew Devine his understudy is certainly one to watch for the future and if Simon Easterby is looking to blood new players ahead of the next World Cup cycle, Devine could be the man to come in.
Devine has made eight appearances for the Connacht senior team, but like Sam Prendergast was an U20s phenomenon, scoring four tries in the side's 2022 Grand Slam win. Devine was also the only man on the list to go on the Emerging Ireland tour to South Africa earlier this year. If it wasn't for his lack of game time (105 mins) this season, Devine would be higher on the list.
Fintan Gunne (Leinster)
14 December 2024; Fintan Gunne of Leinster during the Champions Cup Pool 2 match between Leinster and ASM Clermont Auvergne at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Fintan Gunne is not a name that's been on people's lips for very long. However, the former U20s star made his Champions Cup debut for Leinster against Clermont last week, and barring a few expected mistakes looked at home in a very strong Leinster squad.
Should Simon Easterby prioritise developing Ireland's levels of depth, and be in favour of giving Sam Prendergast more game time Fintan Gunne could very well find himself in a Six Nations squad.
Other Options:
While the above are the most likely to be included in Simon Easterby's 2025 Six Nations squad, there are other options around the provinces. Among them is 22-year-old Nathan Doak of Ulster. Despite not immediately being in contention for an Ireland role, Doak has racked up over seventy Ulster caps, but in recent months has been predominantly used as an outhalf by Richie Murphy.
His teammate John Cooney will also be a shoo-in if Simon Easterby decides to opt for a more experienced backup to JGP and Conor Murray. Although their shared experience makes that unlikely.
Similarly, if experience is the key criteria for Easterby, Luke McGrath might fancy a chance at adding to his nineteen Irish caps.
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