2025 ended up being an interesting year for players breaking through for Ireland, even if the results on the pitch were up and down.
Is easy to forget now, but 2025 was the first full year of Sam Prendergast at test level, with the Leinster 10 only making his Six Nations debut against England in February. 2025 also saw Ryan Baird finally step up and take the role left by the great Peter O’Mahony after the Corkonian hung up the boots
Then the likes of Tommy O’Brien went from squad player at Leinster to nailed-on test starter for Ireland, Zac Ward transitioned from 7’s to 15’s like a duck to water, and Darragh Murray became a firm favourite of Paul O’Connell over the summer tour, as well as the Ireland ‘A’ team. So here’s a look at some players we can see breaking out over the next 12 months in 2026.
Caspar Gabriel. Pic: INPHO/Tom Maher
Leinster: Caspar Gabriel
At this point, Gabriel is not an unknown entity. The Austrian has been hyped up as the next big thing in Irish rugby for much of the past 12 months, and he made his highly anticipated debut in October, coming on for a five-minute cameo in Leinster’s win over Zebre at the Aviva Stadium.
And while still lining out at Terenure in the AIL, Gabriel is gaining some valuable senior experience while biding his time, which could come in 2026. With Ross Byrne moving to Gloucester last summer and Ciarán Frawley confirming his move to Connacht next summer, Leinster’s options at fly-half have become much thinner than they once were. Coupled with Harry Byrne’s resurgence and likely recall to the Ireland squad, Gabriel may be called upon more in 2026.
With Byrne, Prendergast and Jack Crowley all vying for the Ireland 10 shirt, their minutes will become more managed, meaning a space will open up for the Vienna man to finally take centre stage.
Evan O’Connell. Pic: Ben McShane/Sportsfile
Munster: Evan O’Connell
A famous name in Irish rugby, the nephew of Paul has a lot to live up to, but he’s steadily making his way into the senior game. Still only 21, O’Connell already has three starts for Munster over the past 18 months and two starts for the Ireland ‘A’ squad, showing that he is thought of highly among the Ireland coaches.
A former captain of the Ireland U20S, O’Connell has all the pedigree, and with himself, Tom Ahern and Edwin Edogbo all breaking through now, Munster could have their second row rotation for the next decade if they play their cards right.
Bryn Ward. Pic: Chris Fairweather/Sportsfile
Ulster: Bryn Ward
While 2025 was a big year for his brother Zac, who transitioned to the wing from playing 7’s with aplomb, younger brother Bryn Ward could be set to have a big 2026. The back rower is getting a huge opportunity against Munster, starting at No8 to start the year, and with the likes of Jurano Augustus and James McNabney still recovering from injury, Ward could get a run of games.
He’s started a few games already this season, and if he’s anywhere near the athlete his brother is, or as good as his father Andy, Bryn Ward will have a very stellar career. Richie Murphy has huge faith in his young Ulster squad, and seeing how the likes of Jude Postelthwaite and Jack Murphy have developed, there’s no reason why Bryn Ward won’t be the next star to break through up north.
Fiachna Barrett. Pic: James Crombie/INPHO
Connacht: Fiachna Barrett
The man from the Gaeltacht, Fiachna Barrett, is as Connacht as they come, and after making his debut for the side last season, he is beginning to become a more regular fixture under Stuart Lancaster. Still to start a game, Barrett has some great tighthead props to learn from in Galway in the form of British & Irish Lion Finlary Bealham and Jack Aungier, widely considered one of the best scrummagers in the country.
Standing at 6’4 and weighing over 120kg, Barrett is the monster-size prop Ireland are going to need now heading into the power, scrum-dominant game rugby has become. With Ireland stalwarts Bealham and Tadhg Furlong both over 30 now, Barrett is coming in at exactly the right time, and if he continues on his current trajectory, he could be in another green jersey soon.