“Round and round and round we go and where we stop nobody knows.” Perhaps English author Ben Aaronovitch was considering a role in professional rugby when he penned his 2016 novel The Hanging Tree.

Now less than a month away from kick off of the 2026 Guinness Six Nations, international rugby fans could be forgiven for questioning whether they have been stuck in a vortex for the past twelve months.

Since France’s victorious round five clash with Scotland, which snatched the title away from Irish hands after two years of residing at the IRFU headquarters in Dublin 4, Irish Rugby has skirted a fine line between maintaining standards whilst generating some much needed fresh blood to drive both the provinces and national team back to the pinnacle of their respective competitions.

In truth, that balance has not quite struck the right chord on either account, bar Leinster’s URC victory over the Vodacom Bulls on June 14, 2025.

Letting slip a golden opportunity to secure a historic threepeat of Six Nations titles with a capitulation at the hands of France in Dublin, despite Les Bleus losing their totemic leader Antoine Dupont, Andy Farrell’s squad has not yet fully got back on track following their coach’s well earned sabbatical with the British and Irish Lions.

November defeats that bookended their campaign at the hands of southern rivals New Zealand and South Africa laid bare that Ireland are just a rung below the true superpowers of the game two years out from the World Cup.

Chalking off the New Zealand loss in Chicago to external factors, most notably a late start to the bulk of the season due to the Lions, was compounded further by a red card to arguably Ireland’s most influential player, Tadhg Beirne, early in the match.

A sluggish victory over Japan and then a dismantling of a weak Wallabies side generated some momentum before their clash with the world champion Springboks at the Aviva Stadium to close out the international block.

What unfolded was a performance that belied the scoreboard, both in a negative and positive sense.

Getting the hard truth out of the way first, Ireland’s complete capitulation at scrum time and average return in the aerial game gave two clear work ons for the national coaches.

One area that came to the fore throughout November was Ireland’s painfully conservative and head scratching selection process.

Routinely discussed has been Ireland’s general age profile within the national set up, built on a backbone of players who have achieved heights that no other Irish side would have felt possible.

Yet, as is the way with the cruel cyclical nature of professional sport, several of these players are now on the wrong side of their peak.

At times open about what he has perceived as a lack of depth across Irish Rugby, Andy Farrell has stuck by his trusted lieutenants even when the general consensus was that change was needed.

This perseverance yielded a 2024 Six Nations title after the bitter disappointment of the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarterfinal loss. In that campaign, key talent in the form of Joe McCarthy and Jack Crowley built on their 2023 debuts and were felt to be the key protagonists around whom Ireland would build heading into the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

Since the World Cup, Ireland have handed out 16 test debuts, most of which came on the 2025 summer tour, which in truth proved to be a fruitless exercise. Steamrolling Georgia before scoring more than 100 points against Portugal will have given the makeshift Irish coaching staff very little to report back to Farrell and company upon their return from Lions duty.

Of those 16 players, just three have played more than ten tests in green. Those three players are Sam Prendergast, Jamie Osborne, and Thomas Clarkson.

Offering a positional snapshot of the need for regeneration, the dominant trio of Irish centres Bundee Aki, Robbie Henshaw, and Garry Ringrose have accumulated 221 test appearances between them. Whilst there can be no doubting the quality of this trio, they are all north of thirty years old.

Across the board, this trend continues, with several key contributors being closer to the end than the beginning of their careers. Certainly, there is scope for a handful of these players to make the trip to Australia in 2027. However, it is clear that several new faces will need a consistent run to ensure Ireland arrive at the World Cup with a squad of 33 players that Farrell trusts implicitly.

With two rounds of Champions Cup action and two rounds of United Rugby Championship fixtures remaining before the opening night in Paris, the window for bold selection calls is narrowing. If Ireland are serious about recalibrating their squad for 2026 and beyond, these are five players who could step straight into the Six Nations environment and make an immediate impact.

Edwin Edogbo – Munster Rugby

Long heralded as the next big thing in Munster Rugby, the man from Cobh has flashed his immense potential throughout the early portions of this season.

At 6’5” and 125kg, Edogbo is exactly what Farrell’s squad needs as a devilishly effective one two combination with Joe McCarthy, whether as a starting pairing or as an impact option from the bench.

Whilst there have been injury concerns around Edogbo, under the tutelage of Munster’s new head of athletic performance, Brad Mayo, the 23 year old is in great hands to overcome these issues.

Utilising every bit of his significant frame, Edogbo throws his weight around in contact on both sides of the ball. In short, he has the potential to be a key piece of the puzzle as Ireland look to solve their issues with World Rugby’s power teams.

Zac Ward – Ulster Rugby

For the first time since 2020, the Irish left wing position feels up for grabs, with James Lowe taking a noticeable step back over the past twelve months.

In this department, there are several key contenders to push the Leinster stalwart for his spot in the starting line up.

Headlining this list is former sevens star Zac Ward, who has been nothing short of spectacular for Ulster thus far this season. Despite already being 27 years old, the 6’3” and 104kg flyer is blessed with top end pace, exceptional aerial skills, and plenty of power in both the carry and the tackle.

Starting his career as a back row forward, Ward is a poaching threat in the wide channels and is exactly the type of messy winger that Farrell appreciates for his work rate.

Brian Gleeson – Munster Rugby

Another young Munster forward who started the season with a bang only to be cut down by injury.

Now back in action, Gleeson, alongside Edogbo, feels destined for a call up in February. Continuing the theme of unique athletes, the 6’4” and 116kg number eight offers Farrell the flexibility to move Caelan Doris to the openside if needed.

Gleeson’s ability to skittle defenders with his powerful carrying is a necessity in the modern game, whilst his rugby intellect has seen him routinely in the right place at the right time for Munster.

Cormac Izuchukwu – Ulster Rugby 

Yes, we are stretching the criteria a touch here, but the three times capped Ulster utility forward has never had a clearer path to the blindside jersey. With Peter O’Mahony retired and Ryan Baird sidelined with injury, the in form Izuchukwu is the perfect option for the number six shirt.

Exceptional in the air as a lineout option, brutally physical in the carry, and another intelligent player who always seems to be in the right place, Izuchukwu is now in a position to stake his claim as a key figure in the build up to 2027.

Joshua Kenny – Leinster Rugby

Leinster’s breakthrough star Joshua JJ Kenny has sparkled every time he has pulled on the blue shirt and is a fellow product of Ireland’s now defunct sevens programme.

Blessed with an x factor that is tough to find, Kenny has a nose for the try line, pace to burn, and world class aerial skills.

The 22 year old would certainly be a bolter given his small body of work, but as Farrell has proven on a handful of occasions, if he sees potential, he will back it.

Scoring six tries in his first five appearances, Kenny has proven his aptitude at URC level. The acid test will come over the next fortnight when Leinster face La Rochelle at home and Bayonne away. Should Kenny get the nod in either contest and play well, the temptation for a call up could be too much for Farrell to ignore.

Jude Postlethwaite – Ulster Rugby

In what must surely be Ireland’s biggest area of focus for regeneration in 2026, Farrell has at his disposal a handful of young contenders for his old position in the midfield.

Spearheading a group that includes Dan Kelly, Hugh Cooney, Hugh Gavin, and Cathal Forde is Ulster’s Jude Postlethwaite.

Taking full advantage of his opportunity with the Ireland A side in November, scoring a try against Spain, the 23 year old has continued this hot form for a high flying Ulster team.

Built in a prototypical centre mould at 6’4” and 106kg, Postlethwaite brings an element of versatility with his ability to slot in at both 12 and 13.

Mixing him into the international arena alongside clubmate Stuart McCloskey would not only ensure an element of familiarity, but also allow Ireland to dominate the gain line with two powerhouse offloading centres.

As ever with a list like this, there were several contenders who could have cracked a spot. Across the board, there are a multitude of directions that Farrell could go in terms of fresh faces. In addition to the above, below is a list of other contenders who could make an impact in 2026.

Michael Milne, loosehead prop, Munster (2 caps)

Diarmuid Mangan, utility forward, Leinster (uncapped)

Tom Stewart, hooker, Ulster (4 caps)

Thomas Ahern, utility forward, Munster (2 caps)

Ruadhán Quinn, back row, Munster (uncapped)

Alex Soroka, back row, Leinster (uncapped)

Nathan Doak, scrumhalf, Ulster (uncapped)

Sam Illo, prop, Connacht (uncapped)

Shayne Bolton, back three, Connacht (1 cap)

How To Watch Investec Champions Cup Round 3 Matches

All Investec Champions Cup matches stream live on FloRugby and the FloSports app. 

Investec Champions Cup Round 3 FixturesFriday, Jan. 93 p.m. ET: Castres Olympique vs. Bath Rugby, Stade Pierre-Fabre3 p.m. ET: Edinburgh Rugby vs. Gloucester Rugby, TBDSaturday, Jan. 108 a.m. ET: Vodacom Bulls vs. Bristol Bears, Loftus Versfeld10:15 a.m. ET: Clermont Auvergne vs. Glasgow Warriors, Stade Marcel-Michelin12:30 p.m. ET: Leinster Rugby vs. La Rochelle, TBD12:30 p.m. ET: Sale Sharks vs. Hollywoodbets Sharks, Salford Community Stadium3 p.m. ET: Scarlets vs. Pau, Parc y Scarlets3 p.m. ET: Leicester Tigers vs. Bayonne, Mattioli Woods Welford RoadSunday, Jan. 118 a.m. ET: Harlequins vs. DHL Stormers, Twickenham Stoop8 a.m. ET: Toulon vs. Munster Rugby, Stade Félix Mayol10:15 a.m. ET: Bordeaux-Bègles vs. Northampton Saints, Stade Chaban-Delmas12:30 p.m. ET: Saracens vs. Toulouse, StoneX StadiumInvestec Champions Cup Round 4 FixturesFriday, Jan. 163 p.m. ET: Pau vs. Vodacom Bulls, Stade du Hameau3 p.m. ET: Bath Rugby vs. Edinburgh Rugby, The RecSaturday, Jan. 178 a.m. ET: Hollywoodbets Sharks vs. Clermont Auvergne, Hollywoodbets Kings Park10:15 a.m. ET: Bayonne vs. Leinster Rugby, Stade Jean Dauger10:15 a.m. ET: DHL Stormers vs. Leicester Tigers, DHL Stadium12:30 p.m. ET: Toulouse vs. Sale Sharks, Stade Ernest Wallon12:30 p.m. ET: Munster Rugby vs. Castres Olympique, Thomond Park3 p.m. ET: Gloucester Rugby vs. Toulon, KingsholmSunday, Jan. 188 a.m. ET: Bristol Bears vs. Bordeaux-Bègles, Ashton Gate10:15 a.m. ET: Northampton Saints vs. Scarlets, cinch Stadium @ Franklin’s Gardens10:15 a.m. ET: La Rochelle vs. Harlequins, Stade Marcel Deflandre12:30 p.m. ET: Glasgow Warriors vs. Saracens, Scotstoun StadiumHow To Watch Investec Champions Cup Round 3 Matches

All EPCR Challenge Cup matches stream live on FloRugby and the FloSports app. 

EPCR Challenge Cup Round 3 FixturesSat, Jan. 10, 20267 a.m. ET: Stade Français Paris vs. Exeter Chiefs, Stade Jean Bouin7 a.m. ET: US Montauban vs. Black Lion, Stade Sapiac7 a.m. ET: Newcastle Red Bulls vs. Perpignan, Kingston Park9:15 a.m. ET: Lions vs. Lyon O.U., Ellis Park9:15 a.m. ET: Cardiff Rugby vs. Racing 92, Cardiff Arms Park11:30 a.m. ET: Benetton Rugby vs. Dragons RFC, Stadio MonigoSun, Jan. 11, 20267 a.m. ET: Montpellier Hérault Rugby vs. Connacht Rugby, Septeo Stadium7 a.m. ET: Zebre Parma vs. Ospreys, Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi9:15 a.m. ET: Toyota Cheetahs vs. Ulster Rugby, NRCA StadiumEPCR Challenge Cup Round 4 FixturesFri, Jan. 16, 20262 p.m. ET: Dragons RFC vs. Newcastle Red Bulls, Rodney ParadeSat, Jan. 17, 20267 a.m. ET: Ulster Rugby vs. Stade Français Paris, Affidea Stadium7 a.m. ET: Black Lion vs. Zebre Parma, Mikheil Meskhi Stadium11:30 a.m. ET: Perpignan vs. Lions, Stade Aimé Giral2 p.m. ET: Connacht Rugby vs. US Montauban, Dexcom Stadium2 p.m. ET: Ospreys vs. Montpellier Hérault Rugby, Dunraven Brewery FieldSun, Jan. 18, 20267 a.m. ET: Exeter Chiefs vs. Cardiff Rugby, Sandy Park7 a.m. ET: Lyon O.U. vs. Benetton Rugby, Matmut Stadium de Gerland11:30 a.m. ET: Racing 92 vs. Toyota Cheetahs, Paris La Défense ArenaHow To Watch Rugby Matches In The United States On FloRugby

The URC will stream all its matches on FloRugby and the FloSports app in the United States. FloRugby and FloSports also are the U.S. home to: 

FloRugby also is home to match archives and match replays. 

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