Ireland winners and losers in Farrell's first autumn selection

There's a major shot against quality opposition for some on the Ireland fringes

Head Coach Andy Farrell with Bundee Aki. Pic: ©INPHO/Ben Brady

Main talking point: Andy Farrell hasn’t gone with what would be considered his absolutely strongest XV. It’s close to it, but not quite there. Look at Craig Casey who has a great chance at scrum-half instead of Jamison Gibson-Park who will come off the bench.

We have something similar in the back row where Ulster’s Nick Timoney starts at openside in place of former world player of the year Josh van der Flier. Farrell will talk up the role ‘finishers’ have to play, but it’s good to see some getting a major shot against this quality of opposition.

Big winner: It has to be Sean Jansen who gets only his second start and third cap and makes his first ever appearance in an Ireland jersey on home soil following his promotion to the playing ranks on the summer tour to Australia and New Zealand.

The Connacht No.8 gets his chance here on the back of injuries to captain Caelan Doris and Jack Conan. He is a big, powerful ball carrier and tackler but he goes in an unfamiliar back row and a trio also including Ryan Baird and Nick Timoney that hasn’t played together before.

Looking over their shoulder: The foundation of any good team is a healthy amount of competition and, rightly or wrongly, that’s been perceived as a problem with this Ireland so you want players to have guys snapping at their heels.

World-class though he is, Tadhg Beirne hasn’t quite been at his peak yet this season, or wasn’t in the summer, and James Ryan will be busting a gut to come on. Van der Flier has played second fiddle before but will hardly be happy at doing so again.

Crowd pleaser: Welcome back Mack Hansen! The Connacht man has been a serious loss to club and country for nearly 18 months and his availability on the wing gives this team a point of difference that it would otherwise lack given James Lowe’s departure for Japan.

Robert Baloucoune’s inclusion on the far touchline adds pace and game-breaking capabilities as well. Add in the dextrous Stuart McCloskey and a No.10 in Sam Prendergast who can weave some magic and Ireland’s backline has an exciting look to it.

Can’t be happy: Robbie Henshaw has been sharp this season and earns his spot in the midfield but there has to be a sense that this is a missed opportunity for Jamie Osborne if he is to finally nail down a spot and become a regular on the team.

Tommy O’Brien might be considered unlucky to miss out given his form in 2026 while Jacob Stockdale and Jimmy O’Brien look to be just the wrong side of the first 23 for now unless there are injury concerns that hollow the depth chart. Same with Cian Prendergast.

Next generation: Sam Illo is no young pup. The Connacht prop is already 25, the same age as Osborne who we said should be looking to embed himself deeper into the thoughts of the management, but he is poised to make his second cap off the bench on Friday.

Tadhg Furlong isn’t getting any younger and has an injury record that has frustrated him and his coaches over the last number of years. International class tightheads are hard to find and valuable commodities when discovered. Thomas Clarkson will sit this one out.