Race for No. 10 continues as 'open minded' Farrell assesses merits of contenders

A four-man competition exists between Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley, alongside the in-form Harry Byrne and Connacht-bound Ciaran Frawley, Farrell said he is also monitoring the form of Joey Carbery.

Harry Byrne, left, Jack Crowley and Sam Prendergast during the Ireland team assembly day at the IRFU High Performance Centre in Dublin. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

The great race to the Ireland number 10 jersey has resumed in Portugal this week as an open-minded Andy Farrell assesses the merits of the contenders in what he sees as a wide-open field ahead of the 2026 Guinness Six Nations.

Currently a four-man competition between most recent incumbents Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley, alongside the in-form Harry Byrne and Connacht-bound Ciaran Frawley, head coach Farrell said he is also monitoring the form of Bordeaux-Begles playmaker Joey Carbery, who seems set to rejoin home province Leinster this summer, with the 2027 World Cup in Australia now just 20 months away.