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.
The November series showed Ireland’s front row problems, with the absences of Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong, as well as concerns about Ronan Kelleher’s fitness, forcing Andy Farrell to make a number of debuts and reminisce about the past to fill the position.
However, with Andy Farrell’s Lions sabbatical beginning earlier this month, Simon Easterby, who is taking over in his absence, will face a number of difficult decisions.
While Sheehan and Furlong will be looking to return to the fray ahead of the spring Six Nations, Easterby appears to be dealing with another injury issue after Craig Casey suffered a knee injury during Munster’s Champions clash with Castres, which would rule him out of the competition.
Ireland’s back-up scrumhalf options
Conor Murray (Munster)
Murray has been one of Irish Rugby’s greatest servants over the last decade and a half, but at 35 years old and facing declining game time, it remains to be seen whether the Munster man will be able to deputise for JGP for the duration of the tournament and provide adequate cover for any games the Leinster man is rested for.
However, if fit, Conor Murray will be the favourite to wear the number twenty-one shirt in 2025.
Caolin Blade (Connacht)
Based on his experience, Connacht’s Caolin Blade might be the Six Nations’ second or third-choice scrumhalf. Blade has had a good start to the season, but most significantly, he demonstrated his ability when he replaced Conor Murray in last summer’s dramatic second test against South Africa, which Ireland won courtesy to Ciarán Frawley’s drop goal.
That, combined with Blade’s past experience in the 2023 Six Nations and Ireland’s handling of the hooker problem in November, should auger well for the Connacht man’s chances of making the Six Nations.
Matthew Devine (Connacht)
While Blade has the experience, his understudy, Matthew Devine, is surely one to keep an eye on in the future, and if Simon Easterby is looking to develop fresh players ahead of the next World Cup cycle, Devine may be the guy to call.
Devine has made eight senior appearances for Connacht, but like Sam Prendergast, he was a U20s sensation, scoring four tries in the team’s 2022 Grand Slam victory. Devine was also the only man on the list who went on the Emerging Ireland tour to South Africa this year. If not for his lack of game time (105 minutes) this season, Devine would be higher on the list.
Fintan Gunne (Leinster)
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
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