Six players we need to see more of in an Ireland jersey in 2026

With the World Cup less than two years ago, Andy Farrell needs to build his depth chart.

Craig Casey only played 91 minutes across the four November games. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Paddy McCarthy

Ireland’s loose head had a whirlwind November series as he arrived on the international scene with a bang. Like Porter, he struggled at times on Saturday and ended up in the bin but overall, he has made a great impression. At 22 years of age, to play against the big three southern hemisphere sides and look, for the most part, very comfortable in a test match environment, is hugely impressive.

Thomas Clarkson

It’s crucial that both McCarthy and Clarkson get lots of minutes at both domestic and international level this year. Clarkson sits behind Tadhg Furlong and Rabah Slimani at Leinster, meaning we could potentially be looking at the second-choice loosehead and tighthead for Ireland struggling to force their way into a matchday 23 with their club. This would be a very problematic situation if it was allowed to continue and is something there needs to be real joined up thinking around from club and country.

Cian Prendergast

Has had a stuttery start to his international career since his 2022 debut but made two appearances this autumn. At 25, it’s time he was given more meaningful opportunity to deliver on the promise he has. Ryan Baird is suspected to have broken his leg on Saturday in an unfortunate turn of events, and Prendergast is the likely replacement for him, given his ability to cover both second and backrow and his ability as a lineout jumper.

Thomas Ahern 

Baird’s misfortune could, and should, also open the window for Ahern to get a run of games off the bench in the Six Nations, if indeed Baird misses the entirety of it. At 6’9 and 117kg, he has an athletic profile rarely seen on this island and 2026 might be his breakthrough year on the international stage.

Craig Casey 

After a storming start to the season with Munster, Casey only got 91 minutes of game time across the four games of this November series, including one start. He needs to see more meaningful minutes, including more starts, in 2026 if Ireland are serious about attacking the World Cup with real strength in depth in all positions.

Jack Crowley 

It might seem foolish to include Crowley here, given he already has 31 caps to his name, but he needs a proper run of starts to make his case for a place in the starting XV. Many of us thought that would come this window but it did not. Silly yellow card aside, he made three try saving interventions playing out of position on Saturday, moments that showed his versatility, pace, intelligence and commitment.