How are Ireland set for the Nations Championship?

Published2 hours ago

The last time Ireland entered an autumn schedule a year out from the Rugby World Cup, Andy Farrell's side were riding the crest of a wave.

Buoyed by their seismic Test series triumph over the All Blacks in New Zealand, Ireland dispatched South Africa, Fiji and Australia to end 2022 top of the world rankings.

At that point, their World Cup preparations were progressing smoothly.

But in the three years since the All Blacks exacted revenge in one of the great World Cup knockout matches in Paris, Ireland's place among rugby's elite has often looked less than assured.

Persistent defeats by New Zealand, South Africa and France have raised questions about the team's trajectory as next year's World Cup draws closer.

But with Argentina, Fiji and South Africa visiting Dublin over the next three weeks, Ireland have the opportunity to give their journey to Australia a much-needed shot in the arm.

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Ireland need a big scalp

The aforementioned sequence of poor results against rugby's heavyweights is a key concern.

Ireland have lost their past six meetings with New Zealand, France and South Africa by double-digit margins.

In those six games, they have scored 101 points and conceded 191, while the two most recent reverses - a 36-14 loss away to France in this year's Six Nations and July's 40-21 defeat inside the All Blacks' Eden Park fortress - were the heaviest.

It has not been all gloom, of course. The manner in which Ireland tore through England at Twickenham earlier this year was a thrilling reminder of their big-game prowess.

However, Farrell will be desperate for his side extinguish an error-prone performance in Auckland that allowed New Zealand to effectively wrap up the game by half-time.

To sufficiently alter the narrative, they must avoid first home losses to Argentina and Fiji before renewing hostilities with South Africa.

Last year, the Springboks devoured the Irish scrum in a 24-13 win in Dublin. Landing a knockout blow on the world champions at this stage in the cycle would be a significant statement.

In their quest for revenge, Ireland have placed an even greater emphasis on conditioning, with assistant coach Johnny Sexton saying they want it to be their "point of difference".

Whether that approach bears early fruit this month remains to be seen.

How is the squad looking?

To topple the fearsome South African scrum, Farrell needs his strongest front row, so confirmation of Tadhg Furlong's availability will have been welcomed by the coaching team.

The three-time British and Irish Lions tourist was cleared by a disciplinary committee of grabbing Gavin Coombes in the groin during Leinster's United Rugby Championship win over Munster.

With Furlong and fellow Lion Andrew Porter available, Farrell and scrum coach John Fogarty must devise a masterplan to establish Ireland a dominant set-piece force this month.

But Farrell has issues further back in the pack. With captain Caelan Doris and Jack Conan ruled out, Sean Jansen appears the frontrunner for the number eight jersey, although Dan Sheehan's run-out in the back row against Munster has raised the possibility of a more radical shake-up.

Uncapped Ulsterman James McNabney can fulfil that role, too, although the 23-year-old's recent comments suggest his playing time this month may be limited.

Ryan Baird's return offers another tried-and-tested option at blind-side flanker, with Tadhg Beirne and Cian Prendergast having featured there in the summer.

There is also uncertainty surrounding fly-half Sam Prendergast's fitness, with Jack Crowley already ruled out.

Prendergast has been nursing a wrist problem, and while Ireland said they were "optimistic" he will be available for selection, Ciaran Frawley may be afforded another opportunity at 10 following his impressive start to life at Connacht.

Ulster's Jamie Benson, a former England Under-20 international, is a more unknown quantity in the key playmaker role.

And with the injured Garry Ringrose unlikely to feature in November, Jamie Osborne - who played wing and full-back against Australia and Japan in the summer - could deputise at outside centre if Farrell decides against going for the more experienced Robbie Henshaw.

As for the wings, Mack Hansen's return is a welcome sight for Irish fans.

The 28-year-old, who missed the Six Nations and summer Tests, is a dynamic option out wide or at full-back, having scored a hat-trick of tries in the 15 jersey against Australia last year.

How the opposition are shaping up

Argentina have never beaten Ireland in Dublin but stunned the British and Irish Lions on their most recent visit to the Aviva Stadium last year.

Pumas head coach Felipe Contepomi has made three changes to his original 33-player squad as Facundo Isa, Rodrigo Martinez and Mateo Soler are late call-ups.

Captain Julian Montoya is one of a number of experienced players to return after missing out on the home defeats by South Africa and Australia in August, plus September's draw away to the Wallabies, but they will be without the injured Santiago Grondona, Ignacio Ruiz and Joaquin Oviedo.

Argentina are also without prop Thomas Gallo and utility back Santi Carreras, who impressed in the win over the Lions.

Those recent Tests saw Contepomi preside over a depleted squad, while in the summer, they suffered home defeats by England and Scotland, but did account for Wales.

Argentina play enterprising, free-flowing rugby but their form has been mixed, making them an intriguing opening opponent.

Fiji were beaten by Scotland, England and Wales during the southern hemisphere leg, but a Test win over Japan in October marked the first game in charge for new head coach Jake White, who led South Africa to World Cup glory in 2007.

White named a 35-strong squad which includes former England number eight Nathan Hughes as one of four uncapped players, while Josua Tuisova, Jiuta Wainiqolo and Caleb Muntz are also included.

Farrell has experimented with his line-up in previous meetings. In 2024, he gave Test debuts to Gus McCarthy and Cormac Izuchukwu in a 52-17 win.

As for South Africa, they may have lost their most recent Test against Australia, but the Springboks are far from crisis mode.

A 3-1 series win over New Zealand and three impressive summer Nations Championship victories on home soil have helped them remain at the world rankings summit.

The world champions will be without some key figures in November with Cheslin Kolbe, Eben Etzebeth, Handre Pollard and Andre Esterhuizen all ruled out through injury.

However, head coach Rassie Erasmus will have captain Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Damian de Allende at his disposal.

He has also included six uncapped players in his squad as preparations for next year's World Cup defence intensify.

Ireland squad

Forwards: Ryan Baird, Tadhg Beirne, Billy Bohan, Thomas Clarkson, Tadhg Furlong, Sam Illo, Sean Jansen, Ronan Kelleher, Joe McCarthy, James McNabney, Darragh Murray, Tom O'Toole, Andrew Porter, Cian Prendergast, James Ryan, Dan Sheehan (captain), Tom Stewart, Nick Timoney, Josh van der Flier.

Backs: Bundee Aki, Rob Baloucoune, Jamie Benson, Craig Casey, Nathan Doak, Ciaran Frawley, Jamison Gibson-Park, Mack Hansen, Robbie Henshaw, Hugo Keenan, Stuart McCloskey, Jimmy O'Brien, Tommy O'Brien, Jamie Osborne, Sam Prendergast, Garry Ringrose, Jacob Stockdale.

Ireland fixtures

Times GMT

Ireland v Argentina, Friday 6 November, 20:10

Ireland v Fiji, Saturday 14 November, 20:10

Ireland v South Africa, Saturday 21 November, 17:40

Finals weekend fixture, 27-29 November, opponent TBC

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