The Six Nations 2026 is shaping up to be an exciting tournament, especially with the recent announcements regarding the Ireland squad. Andy Farrell has unveiled a 37-player roster that has sparked quite a bit of conversation among fans and analysts alike.
This year brings a fresh vibe to the team, highlighted by some new faces, including Nathan Doak and Edwin Edogbo, marking their first call-ups. Last season, Ireland made a significant achievement by winning the Triple Crown, but they fell short of claiming three consecutive titles. This time around, they are looking to apply pressure on strong contenders like France and England.
Former Ireland back row Stephen Ferris, along with BBC Sport NI, delves into the key highlights from the newly announced squad.
Rewarding Ulster’s Resurgence
A year ago, Ulster's performance was underwhelming, which was reflected in the selection for the 2025 Six Nations when only three players made the cut. Fast forward to now, and Richie Murphy's youthful squad has turned things around dramatically. Currently, they hold the third position in the United Rugby Championship, having topped their Challenge Cup pool, which is a testament to their impressive comeback.
As a result, seven players from Ulster have made it to Farrell's squad for the upcoming Six Nations. Among them, Doak stands out as one of two uncapped players selected. In the backline, familiar names like Stuart McCloskey, Robert Baloucoune, and Jacob Stockdale have also been included. In the forwards, Tom Stewart, Tom O'Toole, and Nick Timoney have earned their spots due to their noteworthy performances.
However, there are notable omissions, such as Zac Ward, Cormac Izuchukwu, and veteran Iain Henderson. Bryn Ward, meanwhile, will join the squad training in Portugal ahead of the tournament.
Ferris commented on the lack of representation for Ulster in the previous seasons: "It's been a pretty barren spell for Ulster players over the past couple of seasons. But with renewed energy, their performance has been unbelievable over the last three or four months, and Richie Murphy has got a lot out of his players. Looking at the squad, I thought there might have been one or two more faces, but hopefully, a few of those selected will get a run over the next few weeks."
Doak Proves His Worth
Nathan Doak has expressed his ambition to represent Ireland, and his hard work has paid off with this selection. The 25-year-old is expected to serve as the third-choice scrum-half, trailing behind Jamison Gibson-Park and Craig Casey. This opportunity will allow him to showcase his skills within the senior team setup.
Ferris sees this as a "huge opportunity" for Doak, who has excelled in the United Rugby Championship this season, recording the second most kick meters at 1,840m and being the third-highest points scorer with 65. He has outperformed notable players like Leinster's Luke McGrath and Connacht's Caolin Blade and Ben Murphy in securing his place.
"I think he's been excellent this season. Last year, he had his critics and was almost a villain for fans because John Cooney was such a favorite. To his credit, Nathan Doak has proven a lot of people wrong, hasn't he? His performances have been exceptional and he rightly deserves this call-up. It's only going to elevate his game further," Ferris noted.
Testing Strength in Depth
Unfortunately for Farrell, injuries have sidelined several key players, including Andrew Porter, Mack Hansen, Ryan Baird, Robbie Henshaw, and Paddy McCarthy. The squad members who are fit, such as Hugo Keenan, Ciaran Frawley, Jamie Osborne, Tadhg Furlong, and Finlay Bealham, have also faced recent injuries, which might leave them lacking match experience.
In this context, Michael Milne, Jack Boyle, and Jeremy Loughman will be stepping up to fill the gaps, putting Ireland’s depth to the test. Ferris remarked, "We'll soon find out over the next few weeks if these guys are up for the challenge. I think that's what Andy Farrell wants to find out. While he knows he can count on established players who have contributed significantly to Irish rugby, winning a Rugby World Cup requires more than just a handful of good players; you need a solid squad of 33. Let’s see if they can build on that."
A Shift in Leadership?
The absence of experienced players like Henderson is striking, but he isn't the only notable name missing from last year's Six Nations lineup. Key injuries to players like Porter, Henshaw, and Baird are setbacks, compounded by the retirements of Peter O'Mahony, Cian Healy, and Conor Murray. Last year's squad had an average of 44.1 caps, which has now dropped to 28.4 as Farrell takes the reins after his tenure with the British and Irish Lions.
Ferris pointed out that there is "young blood snapping at the heels" of established players like Henderson. He believes that even at 33, Henderson could provide valuable experience and leadership as part of the wider squad. Meanwhile, Edogbo from Munster adds an exciting dynamic to the forward pack, complemented by promising talents like Tom Ahern and Cian Prendergast.
"Is this the changing of the guard? Is this Andy Farrell’s strategy to usher in younger talent?" Ferris pondered. "These might be the players he intends to rely on for the upcoming World Cup."
Farrell himself acknowledged the importance of starting strong, stating that Ireland must "hit the ground running" against France on February 5th. He highlighted that the squad has evolved over the past 18 months, with 12 players making their international debuts in the last year alone. He expressed confidence in the group’s eagerness to make a significant impact for Ireland.
Reflecting on Titles and Future Prospects
While Ireland celebrated winning the Triple Crown in 2025, they ultimately finished third in the standings, falling behind champions France and England. As they embark on their quest to reclaim the title, they will do so with matches in Paris against France, followed by home games against Italy and away matches versus England, concluding the campaign at home against Wales and Scotland.
Ferris is skeptical that Ireland, particularly given the number of familiar faces missing, can secure the title this year. However, he remains hopeful about the long-term benefits for the team. "To win away against France and England, you almost need your full squad available. They might pull off an upset, whether it’s in the first match or against England; we’ll have to wait and see. It’s going to require determination. Can they win the Six Nations? I doubt they can best France or England this year, but if they can reach the semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup, does the title matter?"
