Winners and losers from the Ireland squad for Autumn Nations Series
WINNER: Cian Healy during Leinster rugby squad training session at UCD in Dublin. Pic: Piaras Ó MÃdheach/Sportsfile
Having eclipsed fly-half rival Jack Crowley in the Leinster-Munster derby at Croke Park earlier this month, Frawley continues to steal the show having nailed the decisive drop goals in the second Test against the Springboks in July after replacing the starting 10.
Crowley needs a strong performance for Munster at the Sharks this Saturday to gather momentum going into Ireland camp or Frawley may strengthen his claims to start against the All Blacks on November 8.
A banner day for Ballina, Co. Mayo, with the Connacht hooker’s inclusion coming as Caelan Doris is appointed Ireland captain.
Heffernan appears to be the only fit hooker of three named by Andy Farrell, with Rob Herring yet to play this season and Ronan Kelleher, the opening game against New Zealand could be his first appearance since the 2022 summer series against the All Blacks.
On 131 caps, the 37-year-old loosehead is still trucking along for both Leinster and Ireland and can become Ireland’s most capped player in November.
Healy needs just two more appearances to equal Brian O’Driscoll’s record.
The return home from the Crusaders should have fast-tracked the big tighthead into the Ireland reckoning but after touring South Africa without adding to his debut cap from last season’s Six Nations, injury has once again stalled his Test ambitions.
The return from injury for Munster’s dynamic lock/flanker appears to have come too late for the Waterford giant to stake a claim, adding to the frustration of missing out on a squad place to South Africa.
Andy Farrell’s continuing reliance on 37-year-old prop Cian Healy as back-up to Andrew Porter is as indicative of a dearth of talent in the position elsewhere as the veteran’s remarkable longevity.
Further evidence lies in Ulster tighthead Tom O’Toole’s ongoing conversion to the other side of the front row.
The inclusion of Leinster loosehead Jack Boyle as one of five training panellists could prove to be significant.
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