Andy Farrell has named an experienced squad for the 2023 Guinness Six Nations, but plenty of fresh faces will be hoping to impress in the famous green jersey when Rugby’s Greatest Championship returns next month.
The 37-man squad includes three players with more than 100 international appearances and just one who is uncapped in the form of Leinster’s Jamie Osborne.
Ireland may have finished last season’s Championship in second, but they head into the 2023 Guinness Six Nations ranked number one in the world.
They were beaten 30-24 at the Stade de France in Round 2 last term, but Farrell’s side will be hoping to go one step further and win the whole thing this time around.
And they will have another stern test on their hands when they get this year’s campaign underway, a trip to Principality Stadium to take on Wales and the returning Warren Gatland.
With that in mind, it is time to look at the big winners from Ireland’s 2023 Guinness Six Nations Squad.
Byrne gets his opportunity to impress
The biggest winner from Farrell’s squad selection is undoubtedly Leinster fly-half Ross Byrne.
The 27-year-old was left out of the initial squad for the Autumn Nations Series but earned a late call to replace the injured Joey Carbery in the build-up to the game against Australia.
Despite not playing a minute of international rugby for 20 months, Byrne replaced Jack Crowley in the closing stages before kicking the decisive penalty with just three minutes left on the clock.
Byrne has gone from strength to strength ever since, building on his moment in the sun for his country with some outstanding form for his club.
And the back has been rewarded after a sensational six months, winning a spot in the squad for the 2023 Guinness Six Nations, with Carbery the odd man out behind skipper Johnny Sexton and Crowley.
Osborne could win his first cap
Another Leinster star, Jamie Osborne, is the only uncapped player named in the Ireland squad.
At just 21 years old, Osborne could be one of Ireland’s stars of the future, having helped his club to nine wins in his nine appearances so far this season.
The centre has impressed from the word go, making a dominant tackle on his debut against the Scarlets in Round 8 of the 2020–21 PRO14 season.
He has backed that up this term, hitting a near-perfect line and producing a mesmerising step to score during a breakout performance against Gloucester in the Heineken Champions Cup.
Osborne may be young, but he could play a crucial role for Ireland in the years to come, so keep an eye on the prodigy during the 2023 Guinness Six Nations, particularly with Robbie Henshaw missing for the early stages of the campaign.
Farrell backs experienced wing Stockdale
Jacob Stockdale is back in Farrell’s plans, returning to the Ireland squad having not featured since the summer Test against Japan in July 2021.
The winger was out for nearly all of last season with an ankle injury sustained in Ulster’s opening United Rugby Championship match against Glasgow Warriors.
However, the 2018 Six Nations Player of the Championship is back on the international scene after making nine appearances for his club this season.
The electric wing was just 21 when he was named the standout in 2018, a just reward after scoring seven tries in his first five Championship matches.
So, Stockdale has serious pedigree, and if he can get back to his best form then he will be a great addition to Farrell’s squad.
