Essentially the most enduring query surrounding Farrell’s squad has advanced within the months since Eire final performed.
What was seen as a straight shootout between fly-halves Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley is now a three-way tug of battle for the ten jersey with Harry Byrne firmly again within the combine.
The Leinster participant, who this time final 12 months was thus far down the pecking order that he was allowed to hitch Bristol on mortgage, began two of 4 Champions Cup pool video games forward of Prendergast and kicked the profitable penalty in opposition to La Rochelle this month.
That Prendergast was nonetheless on the pitch on the time of Byrne’s matchwinner was an fascinating added wrinkle relating to judging the pair’s goalkicking. Farrell’s constant namechecking of Byrne, who has not performed Take a look at rugby since 2024, throughout November felt vital too.
With continued questions over Prendergast’s defensive contributions, and Crowley steering an out of shape Munster facet, may Eire start a fourth consecutive Six Nations with a unique participant as their beginning 10?
Scrum-half is significantly extra simple. Leinster’s Jamison Gibson-Park has regained his sharpness because the season has progressed whereas, after an damage scare this month, Craig Casey is match to be his back-up.
Connacht’s Caolin Blade was third-choice in November however has performed simply twice since and will probably be fascinating to see if one of many western province’s different nines, or Ulster’s Nathan Doak, comes into the combo on Wednesday.
