Andy Farrell aiming for steady ship for opening games
00:01, 22 Jan 2026Updated 10:49, 22 Jan 2026
Munster’s Edwin Edogbo(Image: ©INPHO/Nick Elliott)
Andy Farrell picked a 37-strong Ireland Six Nations squad for warm-weather training at Quinto da Lago on the Algarve It is from this number and from the week’s training in Portugal that the that the Ireland team to play France at Stade de France on 5th February will be picked.
There were some familiar and not so familiar faces in the group.
Here, we take a look at the those who have been handed a chance and brought to Faro a little bit against the odds as well as those who will be disappointed not to have made the cut.
THREE BIG WINNERS
Thomas Ahern – There is a theory that the most logical solution to Ireland’s line-out problem is turn to the ‘lighthouse family’ to see who is available and given Ahern’s six-foot-nine Ireland would be returning to the realms of the safe-as-houses Devin Toner era.Edwin Edogbo – Teak-tough 23 year-old who standing six-foot-five and weighing in at 122kgs has all the specifics needed to be an effective second-row about the house. Made his Munster debut early in the 2022/23 season and has 23 appearances to date.Tom Stewart – Given there are two Leinster hookers in the Six Nations squad and a further two Leinster hookers in the Ireland A squad, there is a clear need for senior cover playing first team at his club. The 25 year-old Stewart 66-times Ulster-capped man fits the bill.THREE BIG LOSERSIain Henderson – A November call up to the bench for the All Blacks sparked an idea of an Indian Summer in the Six Nations for the 33-year-old second-row who has been showing very well at Ulster. Not to be as Ahern and Edogbo squeeze in.Rob Herring – There have been 43 caps all told, two World Cups, 17 Six Nations, six November Series and another 18 various tests for the 35 year-old hooker who was on the bench against France last season. Looks like the end of the road.John Kenny/Zac Ward – Yes, that’s mislabelling two young players who did astonishingly well to be even linked with a chance of making the squad. Both came over from the Sevens programme this season but gain consolation in making the Ireland A panel.