Joe Schmidt will name his extended squad for Ireland’s defence of the Six Nations tomorrow, and bar a number of injuries, the panel will have a pretty settled look to it.
Injuries to Iain Henderson, Kieran Marmion, Luke McGrath and the continued concerns regarding Sean O’Brien means there are opportunities for some to stake their claim in the build-up to the opening fixture at home to England in two and half weeks’ time.
The Irish coaching team has held talks this week over their selections, with a 36-man squad expected to be named.
The front row is well seasoned at this stage.
Team captain Rory Best and Lions prop Tadhg Furlong are automatic picks under Schmidt.
Cian Healy continues to fend off Jack McGrath for the number one jersey, while Dave Kilcoyne is breathing down both their necks.
Niall Scannell and Sean Cronin are vying to take over from the ageless Best.
Rob Herring, so impressive in the Australian tour last summer, could be forced into a watching brief, while in-form Ulster prop Eric Sullivan, name-checked by Schmidt before Christmas, as well as Leinster's Ed Byrne have done as much as they could this season to champion their respective causes.
In the second row, Tadhg Beirne will have serious ambitions of breaking up the Devin Toner and James Ryan partnership, though his versatility could also see him slot into the back row if required. Henderson’s injury should see Quinn Roux claim the fourth lock spot.
Connacht’s Ultan Dillane hasn’t featured for Ireland in 14 months and is unlikely to add to his 11 caps this spring barring injuries to at least one of the aforementioned quartet.
The back row is again an area for the management to pore over. Last year Schmidt opted for two number 8s and four flankers. And it is hard to see him changing any of the personnel 12 months on.
O’Brien, who broke his arm against Argentina, may need to get some game time under his belt for Leinster, either this weekend against Wasps or Scarlets the following Friday.
Rhys Ruddock is again a victim of the competition. Tommy O’Donnell and Ulster’s New Zealand-born Seán Reidy remain on the fringes, so expect CJ Stander, Jack Conan, Dan Leavy, Josh van der Flier, Peter O'Mahony and Jordi Murphy to make the cut.
Joey Carbery, growing more and more into his role at Munster, is understudy to World Player of the Year Johnny Sexton, with Ross Byrne expected to play the role of back-up to the back-up out-half.
The scrum-half position has become more of a focus after last weekend’s injuries to Luke McGrath and John Cooney, especially with preferred back-up Marmion still recovering from ankle surgery.
Connacht's Caolin Blade, who this time last week was fifth-choice in the pecking order, is set to be rewarded for his fine provincial form this term.
"I don’t think too much about that," the 24-year-old said earlier this month when asked whether there had been any contact from Irish management.
"I haven’t really spoken to anyone about that, more so trying to play well here and try get number one here [Connacht] first of all, that’s my aim."
There is little room for surprise elsewhere in the back division. Garry Ringrose, the returning Robbie Henshaw and Bundee Aki will battle it out for starting spots in midfield.
Chris Farrell, man of the match against Wales last year before suffering significant injury setback, should also have his card marked.
Jacob Stockdale, Keith Earls and Andrew Conway will occupy wing spots, while Rob Kearney will begin the campaign as the man in possession of the 15 jersey.
That leaves potentially three places up for grabs. Jordan Larmour will certainly be one of those, whether at full-back or on the wing, while the versatile Will Addison is favoured to find inclusion for the initial gathering at Carton House.
Conor O’Brien has caught the eye for Leinster in recent weeks and his time will surely come, while Rory Scannell, Tiernan O’Halloran and Stuart McCloskey appear to have slipped down the pecking order.
One player who could come into the reckoning is Connacht centre Tom Farrell. The 25-year-old, who failed to progress from the Leinster Academy, stopped off at Bedford before arriving at the Sportsground in 2017, and has been sublime for Andy Friend’s side this season.
Though he wasn’t part of the official party, Farrell linked up with the Ireland squad ahead of the All Blacks clash in November after a hamstring injury to Robbie Henshaw and could force his way into the Six Nations reckoning.
"It would be huge [to be included]," the in-form Farrell told RTÉ Sport.
Possible 36-man Six Nations squad
Loose-head: Cian Healy, Jack McGrath, Dave Kilcoyne
Hookers: Rory Best, Sean Cronin, Niall Scannell
Tight-head: Tadhg Furlong, Andrew Porter, John Ryan
Second row: Devin Toner, James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne, Quinn Roux
Back-row: Dan Leavy, Josh van der Flier, Peter O'Mahony, Jordi Murphy
No.8: CJ Stander, Jack Conan
Scrum-halves: Conor Murray, John Cooney, Caolin Blade
Out-halves: Johnny Sexton, Joey Carbery, Ross Byrne
Centres: Robbie Henshaw, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, Chris Farrell, Tom Farrell
Wingers: Jacob Stockdale, Keith Earls, Andrew Conway, Will Addison
Full-backs: Rob Kearney, Jordan Larmour
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