Ireland’s ferocious but eventual defeat to South Africa in November drew the curtains across a mixed 2025 for Andy Farrell’s men. 11 games played, 8 wins, 3rd in the Six Nations, 55 players used, and 11 new caps handed out. 

If not for the manner of defeats to France, New Zealand and the Boks – all of whom were Ireland’s stiffest tests – then maybe pundits’ views would be more favourable. Instead, the international season ended with a sense of palpable concern, which has been further intensified by the performance of the Irish clubs in the ensuing weeks.

With that in mind, here are 7 players we believe could bolt into the frame for Ireland in 2026, and offer something different than what is already there. 

Scott Wilson – Ulster

28 November 2025; Scott Wilson of Ulster during the United Rugby Championship match between Ulster and Benetton at Affidea Stadium in Belfast. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

One of the best young forwards in the URC, every window Wilson goes uncapped feels like a wasted opportunity. Given the age profile of Tadhg Furlong and Finlay Bealham, we need to get a proper look at the Ulster prop. 

Similarly to Paddy McCarthy when he was handed his debut, there are question marks about Wilson’s scrummaging, but his unique power in the carry means he is long overdue a shot at the big time, as was afforded to McCarthy. 

Lee Barron – Munster

Dan Sheehan 2.0? Potentially. St. Michaels alum Barron is a tall, rangey hooker who carries with proper guile and could act as a close swap for Sheehan in 2027, if he is given a chance to shine. 

Barron has impressed when featuring for Munster or Leinster before that, and although injuries have held him back, his recent Ireland XV selection means Andy Farrell and their coaching staff could see him as a rival for Gus McCarthy’s spot in the squad. 

Edwin Edogbo – Munster

‘The type of athlete we don’t produce here’ holds true for Edwin Edogbo. As strong as he is tall, Edogbo could be the next Will Skelton or Emmanuel Meafou if he stays fit and gets the chances he deserves in green.

The Cobh star has been halted through injuries in recent seasons, but his Ireland call-up this past November shows how highly rated he is, despite a lack of minutes. He strengthened his case on one leg against Leinster last weekend.

Edwin Edogbo, on one leg, is living up to the hype tonight

Absolutely prolific in defence

A shoe-in for the Six Nations squad if fit

— Caolán Scully (@Caolan_Scully) December 27, 2025

Brian Gleeson – Munster

1 December 2025; Brian Gleeson during Munster Rugby squad training at the University of Limerick in Limerick. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

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If not for injury in Croke Park, Brian Gleeson would have travelled to Chicago and played against Spain a week later. The Tipp man dominated at under-20s level, and has the explosivity and physique to scale up at the top level. 

Gleeson looks set to feature against Ulster on New Year’s Day after the long injury layoff, and with Ireland ‘A’ games expected in the spring and a showdown with Japan to follow in July, that could be a prime opportunity to give the youngster some test level exposure. 

Nathan Doak – Ulster

Despite being almost 100 games into his Ulster career, Nathan Doak is still uncapped for Ireland. Given his form so far this season, surely that debut slot will come sooner rather than later.

The now 24-year-old has long been an excellent goal kicker, but now, since the arrival of Mark Sexton as attack coach, is playing with an added tempo and purpose; helping Ulster balloon up the table. 

Jude Postlethwaite – Ulster

The fourth and final Ulster man in the mix, was underrated for the Ireland under-20s and is underrated to this day. Postlethwaite is learning his craft under the stewardship of Stuart McCloskey and James Hume, but already looks capable of stepping into the green shirt in the next 12 months.

Capable of wearing the 12 or 13 shirt, Jude is the profile of centre that Andy Farrell loves. At 6’4” and over 100 kilos, he is an auxiliary flanker in the backfield, akin to McCloskey, Aki, Henshaw and Ringrose. Farrell has seen him twice in the flesh this December and it will be interesting to see if he can crack the Six Nations squad.

Dan Kelly – Mnster

The final name on this list already has a test cap, for England, but has since redeclared and became a major asset. Munster man Kelly is a dynamic, shutdown centre who works well with Jack Crowley, and has bags of experience at the highest level to back his cause.

Like Postlethwaite above, Kelly has all the size to add to his experience and cohesion factor. 

***

Ireland managed to hand out 11 new caps this season, in a Lions tour year, so asking for 7 more is a big ask. However, none of the players above are light on big game experiences for their provinces, and are well capable of slotting in against Wales, Italy, Japan or Fiji; if not against higher quality opposition. 

There are also murmurings of 1 or 2 Ireland ‘A’ games during the 2026 Six Nations, which would further allow scope for scaling players up to the standards Andy Farrell sets in his ziplock-sealed training squads.