By:
Conor Martin
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has confirmed a 37-player squad for the 2026 Men’s Guinness Six Nations.
Farrell has opted for a mix of trusted experience and emerging talent as preparations step up for the Championship.
Ireland begin their campaign with a marquee opener against France at the Stade de France on Thursday, 5th February, with an 8.10pm kick-off Irish time.
The Paris encounter presents an immediate test against one of the competition’s strongest sides and will set the early tone for Ireland’s Six Nations ambitions.
Investec Champions Cup Player of the Year nominee Caelan Doris will continue as captain, with Farrell once again backing the Leinster number eight to lead the squad through the demands of the tournament.
Our Championship squad. 💪 pic.twitter.com/20YY6BOMBy
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) January 21, 2026
Plenty of experience in Farrell’s championship squad
Doris heads a group that blends established internationals with players pushing for their first opportunities on the Test stage.
Two players are in line to make their senior international debuts. Munster second row Edwin Edogbo has been recalled after missing the Autumn Nations Series due to injury, while Ulster scrum-half Nathan Doak is rewarded for his recent performances at provincial level with a first call-up to the senior squad.
Ireland will also expand their panel during a pre-Championship training camp in Portugal.
Connacht lock Darragh Murray and Ulster back row Bryn Ward will link up with the squad during the camp before transitioning to the Ireland XV setup.
Farrell’s options have been limited by several injury absences. Cormac Izuchukwu remains unavailable, while Robbie Henshaw, Calvin Nash, Jimmy O’Brien and Andrew Porter are sidelined. Ryan Baird, Shayne Bolton, Mack Hansen, Jordan Larmour and Paddy McCarthy have also been ruled out, impacting selection across several areas of the squad.
Even with those setbacks, the squad highlights the depth available to Ireland and the strength of competition across the provinces.
With a demanding Six Nations schedule ahead, Farrell’s selection underlines a clear focus on balance, resilience and building momentum from the opening night in Paris.
Ireland squad for the 2026 Guinness Six Nations Championship:
Forwards (20):
Tom Ahern, Shannon/Munster
Finlay Bealham, Corinthians/Connacht
Tadhg Beirne, Lansdowne/Munster
Jack Boyle, UCD/Leinster
Thomas Clarkson, Blackrock College/Leinster
Jack Conan, Old Belvedere/Leinster
Caelan Doris (captain), St. Mary’s College/Leinster
Edwin Edogbo*, UCC/Munster
Tadhg Furlong, Clontarf/Leinster
Rónan Kelleher, Lansdowne/Leinster
Jeremy Loughman, Garryowen/Munster
Joe McCarthy, Dublin University/Leinster
Michael Milne, UCD/Munster
Tom O’Toole, Ballynahinch/Ulster
Cian Prendergast, UCD/Connacht
James Ryan, UCD/Leinster
Dan Sheehan, Lansdowne/Leinster
Tom Stewart, Ballynahinch/Ulster
Nick Timoney, Queen’s University/Ulster
Josh van der Flier, UCD/Leinster
Backs (17):
Bundee Aki, Galwegians/Connacht
Robert Baloucoune, Enniskillen/Ulster
Harry Byrne, Lansdowne/Leinster
Craig Casey, Shannon/Munster
Jack Crowley, Cork Constitution/Munster
Nathan Doak*, Banbridge/Ulster
Tom Farrell, Lansdowne/Munster
Ciaran Frawley, UCD/Leinster
Jamison Gibson-Park, Leinster
Hugo Keenan, UCD/Leinster
James Lowe, Leinster
Stuart McCloskey, Bangor/Ulster
Tommy O’Brien, Blackrock College/Leinster
Jamie Osborne, Naas/Leinster
Sam Prendergast, Lansdowne/Leinster
Garry Ringrose, UCD/Leinster
Jacob Stockdale, Lurgan/Ulster
Categories
- Athletics (5)
- Aussie Rules (1)
- Basketball (12)
- Camogie (3)
- College American football (1)
- Combat (185)
- Cricket (17)
- Cycling (4)
- Darts (36)
- Editors-picks (13)
- Football (1210)
- Formula-1 (14)
- GAA (308)
- Golf (162)
- Hockey (1)
- Horse Racing (172)
- interviews (3)
- LGFA (3)
- MLB Baseball (2)
- NFL (23)
- ROI Radar (1)
- Rowing (1)
- Rugby (188)
- Snooker (6)
- Swimming (3)
- Tennis (17)
- Uncategorized (17)
- WWE (1)
