Farrell selects six-man Kildare contingent for the Six Nations
The Parisian clash has a novel kick-off time, scheduled for 8.10pm on THURSDAY, February 5th, with Ireland’s first home game the following Saturday afternoon against Italy.
With a raft of injury concerns to key personnel in practically every position, it was hoped that certain Kildare players who have been biding their time would get the opportunity to remind Farrell and his coaches what they have to offer.
In total, five men from the county were initially selected, but with the injury list growing over the weekend, a sixth Kildare man has now been drafted into the squad.
The Munster captain is one of the first names on the starting team sheet, his inclusion in the squad was a given.
Farrell is likely to go with James Ryan and Joe McCarthy in the second row with Beirne at six, or Beirne and McCarthy in the second row and Jack Conan at six. Either way, the Eadestown man starts against France.
Sam Prendergast was also assured of his place in the squad, however, he is far from guaranteed a starting place as he finds himself in a three-way battle with Jack Crowley and Harry Byrne for the number 10 shirt in Paris.
Farrell has tended to favour the Suncroft 22-year-old for big games in the past and as such is the leading contender to start against the French.
Cian Prendergast is the Connacht captain; covers six, seven and eight; is playing extremely well for his province; and made an impact for Ireland in November, where he played in all three home games.
He has earned his place in the squad and probably finds himself in a battle with Nick Timoney for a place on the bench in Paris.
Osborne has not played since he was injured against Japan in November, so it was something of a surprise to see his name among the backs.
But the Naas man has rewarded Farrell’s trust on some big occasions before, starting away to South Africa and being drafted in to the British and Irish Lions. He was always going to make the squad if fit.
Loughman won the last of his five caps in the 2024 Six Nations, but has since fallen down the pecking order.
Injuries to Andrew Porter and Paddy McCarthy forced Ireland to reach deep into their loose-head reserves, with Loughman selected alongside Jack Boyle and Mike Milne.
Boyle, however, sustained an injury on Saturday, meaning the Athy man is now in pole position to start in Paris.
At just 20 years old, Billy Bohan made himself Connacht’s first-choice loose head after injuries to fellow Newbridge College alum Jordan Duggan and the highly experienced Denis Buckley.
He was initially rewarded with a spot in the Ireland XV squad, but that injury to Boyle has suddenly put Bohan on the cusp of the most unlikely of Irish debuts.
There are another six Kildare men playing regularly across the URC and in Europe:
Many expected ’s versatility to earn him a place in the squad, but the Eadestown man has now joined thatgrowing list of injuries.
rumoured move to Connacht could be the only wayhe can add to his nine caps, the last of which he won in 2021.
is in the Ireland XV squad that will face England, with the Sallins man continuing to grow as both a lock and a blindside.
His Leinster teammate, would have expected to have been in that squad as well, but he has fallen below the likes of Zac Ward and Joshua Kenny.
was going well in the Connacht front row before his injury and will hope to get back on the field as soon as possible.
Munster winger was impressive early in the season, but fell out of favour before Christmas and has struggled to force his way back into the team.
