Andy Farrell forced to call on walking wounded as Ireland options shrink

The Ireland squad for the Autumn Nations Series features several players either currently injured or yet to play this season

Calvin Nash at Munster training this week. He was named on Wednesday in Ireland's squad for the Autumn Nations Series. Pic: ©INPHO/Steve Haag Sports

Such is the attritional nature of professional rugby that Andy Farrell would have been astonished had he been able to pick a fully fit squad of his preferred players for next month’s Autumn Nations Series.

However, head coach's final international selection before secondment to the British & Irish Lions features enough players either currently injured or yet to play this season that even the adversity-embracing Farrell may have raised an eyebrow. There certainly has been depletion of his options ahead of Tests against New Zealand, Argentina, Fiji and Australia.