While Ireland's back three options are being stretched, their second and back row stocks are looking healthy.
Who starts blindside for Ireland in the opening round(s) of the 2024 Six Nations? Peter O'Mahony is technically the man in possession, but Ryan Baird, Tom Ahern, Cian Prendergast and Tadhg Beirne could all slot in.
If Andy Farrell wanted to try something else, he could even get Caelan Doris in the 6 jersey and go for a Jack Conan or Gavin Coombes at No.8. The extra mud in the water, here, is O'Mahony - favourite to captain Ireland in the championship - not having played a minute for Munster since November 18.
Whoever plays blindside would need to be a handy lineout option. We know O'Mahony is proficient here, and Beirne would do a decent job. Baird and Ahern both have second row experience and we have seen them feature in more set-pieces for their respective provinces.
On the latest House of Rugby, Kiwi pundit Brent Pope [LISTEN from 9:05 below] made such a strong case for Tom Ahern that it got us excited for not only the Six Nations but the next decade of Irish rugby.
[caption id="attachment_275128" align="aligncenter" width="800"]Tom Ahern pictured after the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Munster at Aviva Stadium. (Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile)[/caption]
Brent Pope on Tom Ahern
In the first House of Rugby back for the new year, Brent Pope and Lindsay Peat joined host Máire Treasa Ní Dhubhghaill to look back on the festive United Rugby Championship fixtures, and ahead to the Champions Cup.
"To me," said Pope, "the stand-out player from all the provinces, so far this season, has been Tom Ahern.
"This has nothing to do with my ego but, over the years, I've had a pretty good eye for players, going right back to Brian O'Driscoll, who I first coached with the Leinster 'A' team. I remember going to [head coach] Mike Ruddock about him - now I'm not taking any credit for his incredible career!
"I've had a good eye for players and it's been similar with a couple of the younger guys playing with Ulster and Munster, who have gone on to play for Ireland. Tom Ahern, last year, when I watched him in that Munster vs. Leinster game [in April 2022]. He came on for the last 25 minutes and I remember thinking, 'Boy, this guy is good'. He was more of a string-bean then but you could see he had the ability, speed and size to play at No.6.
"If you look at a guy who is 6-foot-8, 6-foot-9, where else in the world are you going to get a guy of that height to play there? He gives you another option at the lineout and they can play another big guy like Joe McCarthy, who is a bit shorter [6-foot-6] but more powerful, in the second row. He's going to be... if he keeps on the trajectory he's on right now, he's going to be a find, not just for Irish rugby but for world rugby."
"I'm predicting that now," Pope added, "that Tom Ahern will force his way into some game time in the Six Nations and move on from there, and he'll be a big part of Ireland's future."
[caption id="attachment_291940" align="aligncenter" width="640"]Jacob Stockdale, right, with Ciaran Frawley during an Ireland rugby squad training session in the IRFU High Performance Centre. (Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile)[/caption]
A new-look Ireland back three
With Mack Hansen [shoulder] and Jimmy O'Brien [neck] ruled out of the Six Nations, Keith Earls and Andrew Conway now retired, and injury doubts over James Lowe and the uncapped Jamie Osborne, the Ireland back three will be in flux for the Six Nations.
Saying that, there are a stack of players [listed here] that can take the 11, 14 and 15 jerseys for the championship. Hugo Keenan is fit - knock on the nearest wood - while Lowe could surprise us yet by returning in time. If not, we have wing slots to fill. For the right wing, former Leinster and Ireland star Lindsay Peat said:
"I'd like to see Calvin Nash come in there. Shane Daly, too. I'd even like to see him back in camp and having an opportunity... there's definitely chances coming up for lads."
Jacob Stockdale on the left wing is the simplest solution if Lowe misses out - he has looked sharper this season and as six tries in nine Ulster games, including one in the recent win over Leinster. The right wing berth could be scrapped out between Jordan Larmour, Rob Baloucoune and Calvin Nash.
One novel suggestion was asking Garry Ringrose to step out of the 13 jersey, for Robbie Henshaw, and reprise a role he has not filled for almost nine years. Back in his first season with the Leinster senior squad, Ringrose played against Scarlets and Glasgow on the right wing. One wonders if he would have that speed he possessed as a 20-year-old with his rugby future laid out before him.
If you want another option to mull, how about Hugo Keemnan at right wing and Ciarán Frawley or Mike Lowry at fullback? Lots to ponder for Andy Farrell & Co.
Tom Ahern pictured after the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Munster at Aviva Stadium. (Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile)[/caption]
Jacob Stockdale, right, with Ciaran Frawley during an Ireland rugby squad training session in the IRFU High Performance Centre. (Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile)[/caption]
