The 2025 Six Nations is just around the corner, and there are storylines left, right and centre. From Simon Easterby’s time in charge to the Lions year and Ireland’s title defence, the latest edition of this championship is intriguing from an Irish rugby perspective.
Ahead of Easterby’s imminent squad announcement, here are 6 uncapped players who we would like to see named in the Irish rugby squad this week.
Jack Boyle
23 December 2024; Jack Boyle during a Leinster Rugby squad training session at UCD in Dublin. Photo by Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile
Starting off the list is a position of crisis in Ireland, where one Leinster man looks poised to be the man for the future. Since 2020, only Ed Byrne, Eric O’Sullivan and Jeremy Loughman have been newly capped at #1 by Farrell, but the 22-year-old Leinster prop has the potential to be Andrew Porter’s long-term backup when Cian Healy retires.
Scott Wilson
29 November 2024; Scott Wilson of Ulster before the United Rugby Championship match between Ulster and Leinster at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Moving to the other side of the scrum next for one of the most fun props in the URC. Maghaberry’s mullet man Scott Wilson has been a revelation for Ulster with trustworthy scrummaging and explosive ball carrying. He could be the major beneficiary of Tom O’Toole’s untimely suspension.
Tom Ahern
11 January 2025; Tom Ahern of Munster celebrates after his side’s victory the Investec Champions Cup Pool 3 match between Munster and Saracens at Thomond Park in Limerick. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
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Some players are more unfortunate with injuries than others, and Munster’s Tom Ahern has been one of those. A nasty concussion versus Northampton last year derailed his chances of a Six Nations debut in 2024, but after a stellar showing against Leinster at Christmas, the Waterford man is long overdue that first full call-up and cap.
Alex Kendellen
Having captained and shone on the Emerging Ireland tour, under Simon Easterby’s stewardship, Munster’s Alex Kendellen is another front-runner for selection. The utility back-row forward is an elite tackler and disruptive carrier, and has a work rate engine similar to Josh van der Flier.
Ben Murphy
Our first Connacht man to feature is a scrum-half in red hot form. Ben Murphy, son of Ulster head coach Richie, scored a first career hat-trick at the weekend for the western province and having usurped Caolin Blade at provincial level, he is poised to break into the squad following Craig Casey’s untimely injury last month.
Jude Postlethwaite
The final name on the list is another Ulster man in the form of centre Jude Postlethwaite. One of the most impressive Irish players at club level this season, Postlethwaite has looked powerful and smart at both 12 and 13. With an aging depth chart in situ, this would be a great chance to scale up the young 22-year-old prospect.
Ireland’s chase of an historic third Six Nations title in a row is likely to draw a halt to the evolution cases, but should Simon Easterby elect to do so, these six men are the front runners to win a first cap for their country.
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