The Kids Are Alright
What the squad could look like at next World Cup
THE Aviva Stadium was bathed in glorious sunshine yesterday for an open training session at Ireland HQ. Rarely does the national team open the doors and let the public watch what happens behind the scenes and the thousands of young fans in attendance were treated to a fascinating hour of action on the pitch.
The sight of Garry Ringrose and Hugo Keenan back in action was the headline attraction as the Ireland Under 20s provided the opposition. Seeing Richie Murphy’s latest batch of brilliant youngsters mix it with the senior personnel was well worth the visit.
Indeed, many former U20s have already broken into the senior ranks, with the likes of Craig Casey, Jack Crowley and Joe McCarthy making big impacts in recent times.
And few would be surprised if Evan O’Connell, Brian Gleeson, Hugh Gavin and Ben O’Connor — four stand-out performers on the current U20s side — had similar career trajectories in the years ahead.
Of course, the current narrative is all about Grand Slams — at both levels — with Farrell’s troops chasing back-to-back clean sweeps, while Murphy’s youngsters have a treble of Slams in their sights. Heady times, indeed.
However, seeing the seniors and U20s mix it up yesterday, it got us thinking about the World Cup again.
The recent quarter-final failure in France seems to have been expunged from the collective memories of virtually every Ireland supporter across the land. But the next one in Australia won’t be slow coming around. And, before we know it, the 2027 edition will be upon us.
The make-up of Farrell’s squad will look very different by then, infused by an array of ex-U20s stars who are primed to break through in the coming seasons.
Here, Mail Sport has a punt on what the next World Cup squad may look like…
FRONTROW
The outlook remains bright on this, eh, front and, encouragingly, most of the established order should, injury permitting, be fighting fit for the next global showpiece in Oz.
First-choice hooker
Dan Sheehan is still only 25, while Ronan Kelleher is only 26. Rob Herring (33) has probably played his last World Cup but his Ulster colleague Tom Stewart (23) is poised to break through. In terms of bolters, we think Munster’s academy hooker Max Clein has real potential. The 20-yearold was part of the Ireland U20s side which made the final of last year’s World Cup in South Africa. A backrow forward during his formative years, Clein has made the switch to the frontrow and word on the street is the Garryowen forward is thriving. In terms of prop stocks, Andrew Porter (28) and Tadhg Furlong (31) have plenty more good years left in them. At 36, Cian Healy is in the final throes of a brilliant career but the future is bright at loosehead, with Jack Boyle and Paddy McCarthy — two former U20s stars — coming through the ranks with Leinster. A pair of quality looseheads to back up Porter in the coming seasons.
Oli Jager (28) has already made a big impression on the Irish management and may pass out Finlay Bealham (32) in the tighthead pecking order, with Ulster’s Tom
O’Toole (25) also taking on more responsibility.
SECOND ROW
Joe McCarthy (22) has already make a huge impact and Tom Ahern is another rookie who looks set to arrive on the scene. The 24year-old is set to become a regular fixture in Farrell’s matchday squad, proving the same hybrid versatility as Ryan Baird.
At 27, James Ryan is on course for the next World Cup but Iain Henderson (32) and Tadhg Beirne (32) may struggle to make the flight to Sydney. Munster’s powerful young lock Edwin Edodbo (21) and promising Connacht lock Darragh Murray could be the next locks on the block.
BACKROW
At 34, Peter O’Mahony would need to emulate the feats of Rory Best and Johnny Sexton by pitching up at a World Cup in your late 30s. Considering the Munster flanker’s injury profile, another title in Australia looks unlikely, especially
when you consider the sheer number of talented backrowers coming through the ranks. Dave McCann and Brian Gleeson — two standouts in recent Ireland U20 sides — are already making waves at Ulster and Munster respectively.
Josh van der Flier (30), Caelan Doris (25) and Baird (24) are all safe bets for the big one Down Under. Doris is already being earmarked for the captaincy as well.
At 31, Jack Conan will feel this is his last shot to make an impact on game’s biggest stage. Will Connors (27), Scott Penny (24) and Gavin Coombes (26) should all be in their prime by then.
SCRUM-HALF
Jamison Gibson-Park will be 36 by the time the World Cup rolls around, but it would be no surprise to see the livewire Leinster scrumhalf make the cut. Gibson-Park possesses a remarkable engine and a decent injury record. A final World Cup hurrah before retirement is not out of the question.
Conor Murray (34) is another veteran on the final laps of a stellar career, with Munster teammate Craig Casey — once part of an U20 Grand Slam outfit — already moving ahead. Young Leinster scrumhalf Fintan Gunne is one to watch.
OUT-HALF
Jack Crowley (24) is poised to make the No10 jersey his own, joining the likes of Johnny Sexton, Ronan O’Gara and David Humphreys as a mainstay at out-half. Who will be joining him in Australia?
We have a feeling that Sam Prendergast — last season’s U20 starlet — will be breathing down the Munster playmaker’s neck by then, while Ciaran Frawley (26) would be a really useful out-half/centre option in a World Cup squad.
MIDFIELD
Does Bundee Aki have another World Cup in him? The Connacht centre will be 34 in April, but there are no signs that he is slowing down. Time will tell. Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose are still both on the right side of 30 and should still be front and centre.
In terms of auxiliary options, Cathal Forde and Hugh Gavin, the young pair of Connacht centres, have bright futures ahead of them. Jamie Osborne (22) is perhaps the most exciting young prospect on this island and it would be no surprise if the Naas native was a Test frontliner before 2027.
BACK THREE
James Lowe (31) is getting on but has stated in intention to push on for another World Cup cycle. Hugo Keenan (27), Mack Hansen (25) and Jimmy O’Brien (27) are all safe bets. Calvin Nash (26) is also in the frame.
In terms of young blood, Henry McErlean, who recently made his senior debut for Leinster, is a real bright spark, while former Sevens star Andrew Smith (23) has been winning a lot of admirers in Connacht of late.