Previewing Ireland at 2017 Six Nations Tournament
Ireland had a very disappointing 2016 Six Nations campaign. They had won both the 2014 and 2015 convincingly, but their defense sputtered downward and became the squads Achilles Heel in 2016. However, they are still the most talented European team and still look like they could win the 2017 edition of the Six Nations tournament. The biggest challengers will be Wales and England as those are most win matches, but they seem to have an easier path to victory than last year. Lets look at the squad.
Forwards
Props
Finlay Bealham
Tadhg Furlong
Cian Healy
David Kilcoyne
Jack McGrath
John Ryan
This is a pretty strong group (in terms of depth and actual strength). Furlong is proving to be a really good prop as he now pairs up with McGrath who had a breakout campaign in 2015. Healy is now seen as a backup, but he used to be one of their best props. Bealham made a case last year that he is ready to be a valuable member of the squad. Kilcoyne and Ryan are there for depth.
Hookers
Rory Best
Nial Scannell
James Tracy
Best is still one of the best in the world, but he is getting up there in age. Scannell and Tracy will have their chances to show how good they can be when replacing Best late in the match.
Locks
Ultan Dillane
Iain Henderson
Billy Holland
Donnacha Ryan
Devin Toner
Dillane has proven to be a great backup, but they will have a conundrum on who to start between Toner, Henderson, and Ryan. Ryan will likely be coming off the bench as Toner and Henderson have proven to be great Locks.
Flankers
Jack Conan
Dan Leavy
Sean O’Brien
Tommy O’Donnell
Peter O’Mahony
CJ Stander
Josh van der Flier
Jamie Heaslip
This is actually a strength for the roster as they are very experienced and very good. O’Brien, O’Donnell, and O’Mahony are all very good player, but Stander was outstanding in the tournament last year making him an obvious starter. Heaslip is likely to play the Number 8 position while van der Flier, another great bench player, will wait in the wings to finally get a start. Conan and Leavy are there for depth.
Backs
Scrum Halfs
Conor Murray
Luke McGrath
Kieran Marimon
Murray has been the long standing starting Scrum Half as he is always consistent. Marimon is a more than capable backup. McGrath is there for depth.
Fly Halfs
Jonathan Sexton
Paddy Jackson
Ian Keatley
Sexton is one of the best players in the world, but he will be out because of injuries. Jackson will fill in, but he will finally be able to show how good he is on the world stage. Keatly might be depth, but he’s also another very good Fly Half.
Centres
Robbie Henshaw
Luke Marshall
Stuart McCloskey
Garry Ringrose
Rory Scannell
Henshaw is the best one here, but there is a lot of buzz about Ringrose. Some have said he has yet to show how talented he really is. The best part is that he and Henshaw are teammates on their club team which could be beneficial to Ireland. Marshall and McCloskey are very good players who would be valuable is key situations. Scannell is there for depth.
Wings
Tommy Bowe
Andrew Conway
Keith Earls
Craig Gilroy
Andrew Trimble
Simon Zebo
Another powerful part of the team as this is the backbone of the squad. Zebo is very fast, but also Trimble and Earls are both very good wingers that also complement Zebo’s ability. Bowe has suddenly become a backup as he was one of the best in the world at one point, but he will use his leadership for later in matches. Gilroy is a capable backup and Conway is there for depth.
Fullbacks
Rob Kearney
Tiernan O’Halloran
Kearney is one of the best in world as he will be somewhat of a leader out for the backs. O’Halloran is there for depth.
Their first matchup is with Scotland who are apparently very confident in their team as they have proclaimed they are very talented. Time will tell with what happens in that match, but it will not be an easy one regardless. However, this team is very talented and will have the ability to win a third Six Nations in four years.
