Ireland's Next Generation: Full Position-By-Position Depth Chart Breakdown

Ireland’s next generation is knocking hard. We break down the nation’s depth chart, position by position, ahead of Andy Farrell’s November squad reveal.

Oct 14, 2025 by Philip Bendon

Ireland's Next Generation: Full Position-By-Position Depth Chart Breakdown

In little over 24 hours’ time, Ireland's head coach Andy Farrell will name his side for the upcoming November Series.

Now firmly in the middle of the Rugby World Cup cycle, Farrell faces a scenario of whether to stick or pivot from a host of veteran players who have done the business for him time and again.

While it would be foolish to suggest that Farrell, who is renowned for his loyalty to his players, will simply throw the baby out with the bath water, there is a clear need for a rejuvenation of a squad that has grown and developed with little change over the past five seasons.

Across the board, Irish Rugby is blessed with young talent. Whether this talent has what it takes to upset the natural selection order, in Farrell’s opinion, remains to be seen.

Ahead of Wednesday’s squad announcement, we decided to delve deep into the Irish playing stocks to list, in our opinion, the top five players in each position.

1. Loosehead Prop – Andrew Porter (Leinster Rugby)

Undisputed kingpin in the No. 1 jersey, the Leinster loosehead has become an undroppable player for both province and country over the past eight seasons.

Still just 29-years-old, Porter’s best days may yet be ahead, but he will need to be managed carefully, given his ability to play big minutes week in and week out.

2. Michael Milne (Munster Rugby); 3. Jack Boyle (Leinster Rugby); 4. Paddy McCarthy (Leinster Rugby); 5. Jemery Loughman (Munster Rugby).

2. Hooker – Dan Sheehan (Leinster Rugby)

Similar to Porter, Sheehan is undroppable when fit and available.

The consensus No. 1 hooker in the world, Sheehan’s athletic profile is central to Ireland’s complex attacking game plan.

Blessed with elite physicality, pace and vision, Sheehan operates as an extra center/backrow for Ireland.

2. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster Rugby); 3. Gus McCarthy (Leinster Rugby); 4. Tom Stewart (Ulster Rugby); 5. Lee Barron (Munster Rugby).

3. Tighthead Prop – Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby)

Similar to the two players listed alongside him in the front row, Furlong is simply world-class.

Now 32-years-old and closing in on 100 test caps, Furlong’s load management is central to Ireland’s 2027 World Cup campaign.

Proving once again his ability to dominate opponents on the recent Lions Tour, Furlong is the anchor the Irish scrum relies on when the pressure comes on.

2. Finlay Bealham (Connacht Rugby; 3. Thomas Clarkson (Leinster Rugby); 4. Tom O’Toole (Ulster Rugby); 5. Oli Jager (Munster Rugby).

4. Loosehead Lock – Joe McCarthy (Leinster Rugby)

Already a key cog in the Irish pack at 24-years-old ‘Big Joe’ is a monstrously physical operator who brings a hard edge and punch to the Irish pack.

Still not the finished article, McCarthy’s ceiling is exceptionally high, and he should be in his prime come the next World Cup.

2. Iain Henderson (Ulster Rugby); 3. Thomas Ahern (Munster Rugby); 3. Edwin Edogbo (Munster Rugby); 5. Darragh Murray (Connacht Rugby).

5. Tighthead Lock – Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby)

We could nearly copy and paste from fellow Tadhg (Furlong)’s description.

Beirne is entering the twilight of his career as one of the game’s elite players.

While both Munster and Ireland fans might not want to hear this, he simply cannot play every week and make it to the next World Cup.

Managing his minutes will ensure that he hits the ground running in what will be a final hurrah.

2. James Ryan (Leinster Rugby); 3. Evan O’Connell (Munster Rugby); 4. Diarmuid Mangan (Leinster Rugby); 5. Harry Sheridan (Ulster Rugby).

6. Blindside Flanker – Cormac Izuchukwu (Ulster Rugby)

Perhaps our most contentious position, but since Peter O’Mahony retired, the No. 6 shirt has firmly gone up for grabs.

Leinster’s Ryan Baird may have been the consensus first choice coming into this season, but he has yet to hit his straps.

North of the border, Cormac Izuchukwu has been in irresistible form for Richie Murphy’s Ulster. Sure, he has primarily played lock for his province, but his athleticism in the back row could add a new dimension to the Irish game.

Mix in his line-out jumping ability, and you get an all-round package.

2. Ryan Baird (Leinster Rugby); 3. Cian Prendergast (Connacht Rugby); 4. Alex Soroka (Leinster Rugby); 5. James McNabney (Ulster Rugby).

7. Openside Flanker – Josh van der Flier (Leinster Rugby)

The former World Rugby Player Of The Year looks as good as he ever has, despite edging further into his (early) 30s.

Given his ability to stay fit and at the peak of his powers, it is tough to see him not getting through to 2027 in good condition.

That being said, Ireland does need to explore its options in this position and manage the minutes.

2. Nick Timoney (Ulster Rugby); 3. Alex Kendellen (Munster Rugby); 4. John Hodnett (Munster Rugby); 5. Ruadhán Quinn (Munster Rugby).

8. No. 8 – Caelan Doris (Leinster Rugby)

Ireland’s captain is nursing the first serious injury of his career, but there is little doubt he will bounce back to his world-class best.

At 27-years-old, he is firmly in the prime of his career and will gather valuable leadership IP over the coming two seasons.

2. Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby); 3. Gavin Coombes (Munster Rugby); 4.Brian Gleeson (Munster Rugby); 5. Dave McCann (Ulster Rugby).

9. Scumhalf – Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster Rugby)

A position we have a feeling will be changing hands by the end of November, Leinster’s Jamison Gibson-Park is still playing at an elite level at 33-years-old.

This being said, Munster’s Craig Casey is closing the gap quickly.

Given his style of play and cerebral ability, JGP will be a key player for Ireland in 2027, but there are a host of young players breathing down his neck.

2. Craig Casey (Munster Rugby); 3. Ben Murphy (Connacht Rugby); 4. Nathan Doak (Ulster Rugby); 5. Fintan Gunne (Leinster Rugby).

10. Outhalf – Jack Crowley (Munster Rugby)

On form, this position is firmly in the grip of the Munster playmaker, but whether Andy Farrell sees things that way remains to be seen.

Still just 25-years-old, Crowley’s best days are firmly ahead of him.

Given his success in his relatively short time involved with the national side, that is a good omen for Irish Rugby.

Physically, Crowley is an elite player with rock-solid defense, a strong carrying game and a wide array of skills. Mentally, he already has proven to be a big-game player who relishes the big moments.

2. Sam Prendergast (Leinster Rugby); 3. Ciaran Frawley (Leinster Rugby); 4. Harry Byrne (Leinster Rugby); 5. Jack Murphy (Ulster Rugby).

11. Left Wing – James Lowe (Leinster Rugby)

Here's another player who still is performing at an elite level, but has seen the gap between himself and younger players close in recent times.

Of the key starters, the 33-year-old winger needs a big November to remain in the starting position ahead of the Six Nations.

2. Jacob Stockdale (Ulster Rugby); 3. Diarmuid Kilgallen (Munster Rugby); 4. Shane Daly (Munster Rugby); 5. Andrew Osborne (Leinster Rugby).

12. Inside Center – Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby)

Copy and paste above.

Bundee Aki is a world-class operator and has been the heartbeat of Irish Rugby’s success in recent years.

At 35-years-old, and with his ultra-physical style of play, it is tough to see Aki playing in green come 2027.

This November, he still is the first choice, but whether Farrell begins to rotate more at 12 is the big question here.

2. Robbie Henshaw (Leinster Rugby); 3. Stuart McCloskey (Ulster Rugby); 4. Cathal Forde (Connacht Rugby); 5. Dan Kelly (Munster Rugby).

13. Outside Center – Garry Ringrose (Leinster Rugby)

Firmly installed as the kingpin in the 13 shirt, Ringrose is a silky smooth operator who, at 30-years-old, should still be in his prime come the World Cup.

Recent injuries are a concern, but if he stays fully fit, he is the first choice outside center and a key leader, in particular, on defense.

Unlike previous seasons, there are several genuine contenders coming up behind him.

2. Hugh Gavin (Connacht Rugby); 3. Tom Farrell (Munster Rugby); 4. James Hume (Ulster Rugby); 5. Jude Postlethwaite (Ulster Rugby).

14. Right Wing – Mack Hansen (Connacht Rugby)

Ireland’s creative spark, we toyed with the idea of slotting Hansen in at fullback in the absence of Hugo Keenan, but opted to keep him nailed in at his regular position.

Key to Ireland’s ability to manipulate defenses by popping up as first receiver or hitting mazy lines off hard carriers.

Hansen would’ve been a test Lion in Australia, had it not been for injury, and he is, therefore, our first choice here.

2. Calvin Nash (Munster Rugby); 3. Zac Ward (Ulster Rugby); 4. Shayne Bolton (Connacht Rugby); 5. Robert Baloucoune (Ulster Rugby).

15. Fullback – Jamie Osborne (Leinster Rugby)

Given Hugo Keenan’s injury, the No. 15 shirt once again has become vacant and, at present, Jamie Osborne is the clear favorite for the role.

Long-term, we can see a world where he becomes the first choice inside center, but given his ability to be world-class at fullback too, he is an easy choice here.

2. Jimmy O’Brien (Leinster Rugby); 3. Mike Haley (Munster Rugby); 4. Michael Lowry (Ulster Rugby); 5. Jordan Larmour (Leinster Rugby).

How To Watch Rugby Matches In The United States On FloRugby

Professional club rugby in Europe all streams 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.

Join The Rugby Conversation On FloRugby Social

Follow us on Twitter @florugby
Follow us on Instagram @florugby
Watch us on YouTube
Like us on Facebook