Ireland Six Nations 2026: An all-conquering nation is now ‘underdogs’

Last year was largely one to forget for the 2023 and 2024 champions as they collected the Triple Crown but still finished third in the table behind France and England, if only on points difference following a solitary – but heavy – defeat by the French.

The absence of Farrell due to his secondment with the British & Irish Lions ahead of their summer tour to Australia was blamed largely for the green machine not firing on all cylinders but, even with the head coach back in situ, there was an unconvincing nature to some of Ireland’s autumn performances that have some now wondering if this squad has finally shed its cloak of invincibility.

Defeats at home by the All Blacks and the Springboks saw Ireland drop to fourth in the world and while many countries – including Scotland – would bite your hand off for such “adversity” then it is certainly below the standards many now expect of this Irish squad.

That slight feeling of unease across the 32 counties has not abated with the naming of a squad shorn of many regulars due either to injury or because Farrell has elected not to pick them.

Among those unlikely to suit up during the Six Nations on medical grounds are Andrew Porter, Robbie Henshaw, Calvin Nash, Jimmy O’Brien, Ryan Baird, Mack Hansen, Hugo Keenan Tom Ahern and Paddy McCarthy. Porter has been the undoubted first-choice at loosehead for some time but, with McCarthy and Jack Boyle also struggling, it leaves Ireland facing something of a front-row crisis.

Given the loss of all that experience, it is perhaps a surprise that Farrell has only introduced three uncapped players – prop Billy Bohan, lock Edwin Edogbo and scrum-half Nathan Doak – to his 37-man squad.

Some of their struggles have been self-inflicted, however, with veteran centre Bundee Aki set to miss the first three matches of the championship due to a ban imposed for verbally abusing the match officials after a recent Connacht match.

Three Irish surprise calls

There are also some surprising omissions including Ulster captain Iain Henderson, a squad ever-present for a decade, while Farrell has also elected not to throw in rising talent like Joshua Kenny or Zac Ward at this time.

There is, however, a recall for Harry Byrne to provide competition for Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley for the No.10 shirt.

France’s form and England’s resurgence see Ireland listed only as third favourites to regain their Six Nations crown but, as Scotland have found repeatedly to their cost over the past nine years, write off Ireland at your peril.

“We’re sort of underdogs now, I suppose, which isn’t a bad place to be,” said hooker Dan Sheehan. “We just need to make sure of our prep over the next few weeks, that we fill up with confidence and we still believe in each other that we can do it. I’m sure a Grand Slam is going to be the aim and so it should be.

“We have the ability to beat any of those teams on our day. It’s just about how we perform and how we show up to those games. I think we have the right people in the room to do it. The talent is endless that we have in the squad. I hope to see improvements. Everyone’s got a good bit of rugby under their belt now.

“The excuses are gone so we’re starting from scratch now. And we’ve got a chance to hopefully put on a green jersey, just love every second of it and make sure we produce good performances.”

Ireland’s prospects will be shaped significantly with how they fare in their opening fixture against France in Paris in what will be the first ever championship game played on a Thursday to avoid a clash with the Winter Olympics opening ceremony, as Farrell acknowledged.

“The competition levels across all of the opposing teams have never been higher and we have an exciting challenge first up away to France in Paris to kick things off,” said the head coach. “It will be a huge test as always, and I have no doubt that there will be a huge travelling support over from Ireland to cheer on the team in a wonderful stadium we know well from our experiences at the World Cup.

“The squad has evolved over the last 18 months, with 12 players making their international debuts over the last year alone, and I know how keen this group is to make its mark for Ireland.”

How they fare over the next few months will signify whether 2025 was merely a blip or the beginning of the end for these Irish warriors.

The Ireland breakdown

Head coach: Andy Farrell.

Key player: Tadhg Beirne.

One to watch: Edwin Edogbo.

Record in past 5 years: 2025 - 3rd, 2024 - 1st, 2023 - 1st, 2022 - 2nd, 2021 - 3rd.

World ranking: 4th.

Did you know? Ireland, with eight, have won more Triple Crowns in the Six Nations era than any other country. England and Wales have won five each, Scotland none.