Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

I took a look as well, did it ever so slightly differently, I had a huge list made out at first but I decided to cut out it down to the most relevant players as likely options to keep it more realistic for having a good discussion around selection.
I've left out any players that aren't featuring regularly for their province (injury or not being selected), or have been around a while and haven't yet shown the quality required, just to cut to the chase a bit to make the selection options more clear.

Below is the current squad including recently injured players plus the 2 additional players called up, plus the four named unavailable injured players plus the three named to travel as cover.

(Playing number), Ideal current age, Name (Bold if will be outside prime age for RWC'27) (current age) - Other likely options around prime age-bracket that should realistically be in with a shout for RWC'27.

(1) 28, Porter (29), J Boyle (23), P McCarthy (22) - Loughman (30), Milne (26)
I think Milne and Loughman are going to be sharing the starting role this season for Munster, both have performed well so far this season. Loughman perhaps better at scrummaging, Milne defintely better in the loose. Can only assume Farrell sees something special in Boyle and McCarthy to elevate them above those two. It might just be a decision between Boyle and Milne for second choice, and maybe McCarthy was chosen as third choice with a view to longer term planning.

(2) 27, Sheehan (27), Kelleher (27), G McCarthy (22) - D Barron (27), Stewart (24)
We have a very healthy profile at hooker at the moment. It seems they want to go a bit younger with third choice with a view to longer term planning.

(3) 29, Furlong (32), Bealham (34), Clarkson (25) - Jager (30), Salanoa (27), O'Toole (27), Aungier (26), Wilson (23)
Tighthead prop the older position to come into prime and peak, it's not impossible that Bealham will make the next World Cup, but chances are he won't. There are a number of options, perhaps the most exciting option is Salanoa but only time will tell how his recovery comes along.

(4) 26, Ryan (29), Ahern (25), Izuchukwu (25) - Oisín Dowling (28), F Wycherley (27), N Murray (26)
There are plenty of loosehead locks around so no panc, the depth is good within the squad at present.

(5) 27, McCarthy (24), Henderson (33), E Edogbo (22) - Deeny (25), D Murray (24), Sheridan (24)
There appears to be a bit of a gap in the age bracket above 25 for tighthead locks. There are a few promising locks coming through at the moment.

(6) 26, Beirne (33), Baird (26), Prendergast (25) - P Boyle (28), McCann (25), Soroka (24)
Blind side probably has the best depth of all positions.

(7) 25, Van der Flier (32), Timoney (30) - Hodnett (26), Penny (26), Kendellen (24)
Very little effort gone into spreading around the caps, Van der Flier is ever-present but will be 34 at RWC'27.

(8) 25, Doris (27), Conan (33), B Gleeson (21) - Deegan (29), Coombes (27), Jansen (26), Culhane (23), McNabney (22)
Conan will struggle to make it another 2 years, so we probably need to start seeing more rotation here. Jansen might be worth a closer look and has started and played the full 80 for Connacht so far this season.

(9) 25, Gibson-Park (33), Casey (26), Blade (31) - B Murphy (24), Doak (23), Coughlan (23) Gunne (22)
Should probably begin to move on from Blade and Gibson-Park sooner rather than later. Need to see some of the alternative options to give really good performances for their province this season. There is a good bit of competition for match-day spots across the provinces so it should help drive performances.

(10) 26, Crowley (25), S Prendergast (22), Frawley (27) - H Byrne (26), J Murphy (21)
Would like to see Harry Byrne give some performances to give another option here. Frawley may be better used in the centre. Jack Murphy starting for Ulster and on a winning run at the moment.

(11) 23, Lowe (33), Stockdale (29), Bolton (25) - Ward (26), Kilgallen (25), Smith (25),
I can't see Lowe making it to RWC'27. there are a few decent options there, plus a few more that are younger but haven't got enough game time to really evaluate their potential properly.

(12) 26, Aki (35), McCloskey (33) - Forde (24), Kelly (24)
Good quality coming through so no panic, Frawley also an option here.

(13) 25, Ringrose (30), Henshaw (32), T Farrell (32) - Hume (27), Ralston (25), Postlethwaite (23), Gavin (21)
There aren't a lot of 13's that are screaming for inclusion at the moment. Tom Farrell playing the best rugby but doubtful he will be as good in two years' time. Players need to start proving themselves with their provinces.

(14) 23, Hansen (27), T O'Brien (27), Nash (28) - Baloucoune (28), Mullins (23),
Age prfile drifting a bit old, if they can maintain their speed then not too bad. Not a whole lot of speedy options at the moment.

(15) 25, Keenan (29), Osborne (23), J O'Brien (28) - Daly (28), O'Connor (21)
There aren't a lot of exciting fullbacks getting regular game time at any of the provinces. The age profile isn't too bad if they can stay injury-free.

Taking the above, could be looking at a RWC side of:

Porter, Sheehan, Clarkson,
Ahern, McCarthy,
Baird, Doris, Timoney,
Casey, Crowley,
Hansen, Henshaw, Ringrose, T O'Brien,
Osborne.

Kelleher, Boyle, Furlong, Ryan, Prendergast, Blade, Frawley, J O'Brien.

We might be better off giving Jager some time instead of Bealham, and Cathal Forde or Ciarán Frawley instead of Aki or McCloskey, and Ben Murphy or Nathan Doak instead of Blade.
Hugh Gavin may be an option to overtake Ringrose too but too soon yet for him.