Andy Farrell is set to name his squad for the Rugby Nations Championship campaign against Australia, Japan and the All Blacks.
Summer tours have traditionally been the time when Six Nations sides are able to blood new talents who have emerged during the year and get some experience on the international stage. The competitive nature being added to the new competitive structure of the Rugby Nations Championship does make it more difficult to completely rotate the squad. That tension is visible in England’s Maro Itoje management call, while the Leinster and Bulls final squads underline the senior options already sitting in Ireland’s system.
Here are three uncapped players that Andy Farrell should consider for international debuts this summer and therefore be named in this squad.
Bryn Ward- Ulster
Bryn Ward came out of nowhere this year to become an essential impact player off the bench. He links up incredibly well with his older brother Zac in the wide channels and embodies power that Ireland need from their back rowers in the southern hemisphere. Ward was a training member of the Six Nations squad although wasn’t selected for any playing time in the tournament. He has been playing well alongside and as an understudy to Juarno Augustus for Ulster and a summer learning from Caelan Doris and Jack Conan could do wonders for the young number eight.
Jude Postlethwaite- Ulster
Looking beyond the 2027 World Cup there is one position in the Ireland squad where depth and age is a major question. That is centre. Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, Garry Ringrose and Stuart McCloskey have all been great servants for Ireland, but are all over 32. Farrell has signed a contract until 2031 and will be looking towards that World Cup as well for options. Jude Postlethwaite could be the option at either 12 or 13. Jamie Osborne has impressed at 12 for Leinster this year and I would like to see a combination of Osborne and Postlethwaite together in the centres against Japan and a place on the bench would be a great experience. Postlethwaite showed his full range of performance in Ulster’s Challenge Cup semi-final win over the Exeter Chiefs.
Joshua Kenny- Leinster
With the current James Lowe contract situation, the New Zealand born winger will no longer be available for Ireland selection. This leaves Ireland looking to build experience in their winger depth. Joshua Kenny is that future at 22 years old. Kenny has shown that he is an excellent finisher and could learn a lot from the Ireland environment, working with the top coaches and players in the country. He is more than capable of starting and scoring against Japan.
Over recent years we have seen many young outside backs be given an opportunity and show massive improvements in form for Leinster and develop from their experience.
