Just before Ireland were about to embark on the most gruelling of summer tours in deepest, darkest New Zealand, Andy Farrell set his stall out to the playing squad.
It was June 2022 and Ireland were facing into a three-Test series against the All Blacks on their home turf, the perfect preparation for the World Cup the following year.
This daunting itinerary would be the perfect stress test. A chance to test the mettle of some fringe players in the most unforgiving of environments.
Ireland bested the All Blacks in their Test series back in 2022. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
And the bullish Ireland head coach challenged the group to step up because this team was going to need a lot of reinforcements to sustain a title challenge on the biggest stage.
‘You know what? When it comes to the World Cup, I reckon we need around 40 players who are good enough to play knockout rugby. I’m talking about the quarter-final, semi-final and final.’
In truth, Ireland had about 20 personnel who could fit that category at the 2023 World Cup.
As Farrell begins to zero in on the next tournament in 2027, he will feel that the next Ireland squad that pitches up at the global showpiece will have far greater depth.
As Farrell begins to zero in on the next World Cup, he will feel that the next Ireland squad that pitches up will have far greater depth. Pic: INPHO/Dan Sheridan
You could get that sense when the provinces began to confirm their matchday squads for the second round of the URC yesterday afternoon.
A host of Ireland stars are still resting up following their summer exploits in South Africa, while a crew of promising rookies are now on Emerging Ireland duty.
The likes of Andrew Porter, Tadhg Furlong, Jack Crowley and Bundee Aki are yet to play this term.
Meanwhile, young guns such as Alex Kendellen, Harry Sheridan and Hugh Gavin are heading off to Bloemfontein on this Ireland development project.
Despite all that disruption, Munster, Connacht and Ulster were able to name impressive squads yesterday.
BKT United Rugby Championship, Aviva Stadium, Dublin 27/9/2024 Leinster vs Dragons Leinster’s Aitzol King celebrates after scoring his teams sixth try with Joe McCarthy, Josh Van der Flier and Fintan Gunne. Pic: INPHO/Ben Brady
No shortage of Irish qualified personnel either. In fact, Munster’s matchday 23 had 21 players who were available for international selection, with Jean Kleyn and Thaakir Abrahams the only outliers.
Connacht had 20 Irish-qualified players in their team to face the Sharks while Ulster only had one player, Werner Kok, who was ineligible to represent Ireland in their team sheet to face the Lions in Johannesburg.
No doubt, Farrell and IRFU performance director David Humphreys are pleased with such developments.
There are no shortage of subplots either. Munster will be looking to build on their thrilling openinground win against Connacht with another maximum haul of points away to Zebre. Newly-appointed captain Tadhg Beirne and stalwart Peter O’Mahony are yet to make their seasonal bows.
No matter, it means that 20-yearold flanker Ruadhan Quinn gets another start in the backrow.
Gavin Coombes, meanwhile, is set to make his 100th appearance for the province.
Shane Daly of Munster scores his side’s fourth try despite the tackle of Mack Hansen of Connacht during the United Rugby Championship match between Munster and Connacht at Thomond Park in Limerick. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
This feels like a big campaign for Munster’s barnstorming No8. The 26-year-old continues to deliver big performances in the red jersey.
Coombes, however, has found himself on the periphery when it comes to international recognition, with just two Ireland caps to his name.
Being passed over for the Springboks series would have stung. Coombes needs to force Farrell’s hand because the competition in the backrow is set to get even more fierce in the years ahead. Leinster have no shortage of Test-calibre flankers and No8s.
Cian Prendergast, who captains Connacht this evening, is highly ratted by the Ireland management, and Ulster are churning out serious operators such as Cormac Izuchukwu, Sheridan, David McCann and James McNabney.
Coombes needs to raise his game to another level, clearly.
BKT United Rugby Championship, Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli, Wales 16/2/2024 Scarlets vs Munster Gavin Coombes of Munster Rugby is awarded player of the match. Pic: INPHO/Ashley Crowden
There are plenty of other Munster players with a bit of a point to prove. Shane Daly and Mike Haley continue to find themselves surplus to Farrell’s requirements.
All they can do is keep delivering big performances. They don’t need to look too far for inspiration anyway, with Calvin Nash breaking into the Ireland set-up last season. It was an injury to Mack Hansen that opened the door for the Munster wing but, now that the Aussie-born flayer is back on the beat, Nash knows that he will have to step it up.
Especially after Connacht made such a big impression at Thomond Park last weekend.
There is an extra edge to Pete Wilkins’ charges. Their defence, set piece and breakdown work looked so much sharper in Limerick.
Combine that with a silky attacking game and the Westerners are already looking like URC dark horses. Fresh from their sparkling cameos in round one, Ben Murphy and Josh Ioane get another chance to build on a hugely promising partnership at scrum-half and out-half.
BKT United Rugby Championship, Thomond Park, Co. Limerick 21/9/2024 Munster vs Connacht Connacht’s Ben Murphy. Pic: INPHO/James Crombie
Former Bristol centre Piers O’Connor, another debutant who shone against Munster, is also retained.
Finlay Bealham’s return at tighthead is another timely boost. Tom O’Toole is also back to anchor the Ulster scrum. Marty Moore’s premature retirement earlier this week has merely amplified O’Toole’s important to this young Ulster forward pack.
O’Toole is one of the few players in this squad who is firmly in Farrell’s plans. John Cooney has long given up on thoughts of a recall. Jacob Stockdale is still making the cut for training squads but the Ulster wing is well down the pecking order.
There was a time when Stewart Moore and Ethan McIlroy were winning rave reviews and being tipped for Ireland caps. The only way to change perceptions is to make your case in these games.
Farrell will be delighted with such developments. His most trusted lieutenants are easing back into domestic action. A talented stable of promising players will be getting up to speed with the Ireland environment in the coming weeks, a hungry middle tier of provincial regulars keep the show on the road.
It bodes well for the next World Cup alright.
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