{"id":296017,"date":"2026-01-21T15:57:11","date_gmt":"2026-01-21T15:57:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/296017\/"},"modified":"2026-01-21T15:57:11","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T15:57:11","slug":"harry-byrne-included-as-andy-farrell-picks-squad-the-irish-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/296017\/","title":{"rendered":"Harry Byrne included as Andy Farrell picks squad \u2013 The Irish Times"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ireland squad for the Six Nations<\/b><\/p>\n

Forwards (20):<\/b> Tom Ahern (Munster), Finlay Bealham (Connacht), Tadhg Beirne (Munster), Jack Boyle (Leinster), Thomas Clarkson (Leinster), Jack Conan (Leinster), Caelan Doris (Leinster, capt), Edwin Edogbo (Munster)*, Tadhg Furlong (Leinster), R\u00f3nan Kelleher (Leinster), Jeremy Loughman (Munster), Joe McCarthy (Leinster), Michael Milne (Munster), Tom O\u2019Toole (Ulster), Cian Prendergast (Connacht), James Ryan (Leinster), Dan Sheehan (Leinster), Tom Stewart (Ulster), Nick Timoney (Ulster), Josh van der Flier (Leinster).<\/p>\n

Backs (17):<\/b> Bundee Aki (Connacht), Robert Baloucoune (Ulster), Harry Byrne (Leinster), Craig Casey (Munster), Jack Crowley (Munster), Nathan Doak (Ulster)*, Tom Farrell (Munster), Ciar\u00e1n Frawley (Leinster), Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster), Hugo Keenan (Leinster), James Lowe (Leinster), Stuart McCloskey (Ulster), Tommy O\u2019Brien (Leinster), Jamie Osborne (Leinster), Sam Prendergast (Leinster), Garry Ringrose (Leinster), Jacob Stockdale (Ulster).<\/p>\n

*Denotes uncapped<\/p>\n

Gerry Thornley on the squad announcement:<\/b><\/p>\n

A spate of injuries have undoubtedly forced Andy Farrell\u2019s hand to some degree, but form has been rewarded in the 37-man squad he and his assistant coaches have picked for the 2026 Six Nations, most obviously in the inclusion of the two uncapped players, Munster lock Edwin Edogbo and Ulster scrumhalf Nathan Doak.<\/p>\n

Regardless of absentees, there has also been an inevitable recall for Harry Byrne, who won the last of his four caps in the 2023 Six Nations, as one of four outhalves in the squad pending what will be Farrell\u2019s most debated selection in Ireland\u2019s opening game against France on Thursday, February 5th (Kick-off 8.10pm Irish time).<\/p>\n

Aside from Doak, Ulster\u2019s revitalised form this season has resulted in call-ups for hooker Tom Stewart, who is chosen ahead of Gus McCarthy on the basis of his consistently dynamic performances this season, Robert Baloucoune and Jacob Stockdale.<\/p>\n

In addition, Ulster backrower Bryn Ward and Connacht second row\u00a0Darragh Murray\u00a0will also join the squad in Portugal before linking up with the Ireland XV squad.<\/p>\n

However there is no place for Iain Henderson, despite teammate Cormac Izuchukwu\u00a0being one of those recently sidelined along with\u00a0Robbie Henshaw,\u00a0Calvin Nash,\u00a0Jimmy O\u2019Brien\u00a0and\u00a0Andrew Porter. Furthermore, Ryan Baird,\u00a0Shayne Bolton,\u00a0Mack Hansen,\u00a0Jordan Larmour\u00a0and\u00a0Paddy McCarthy\u00a0are the longer-term absentees.<\/p>\n

Compared to the November squad, there are also recalls for the Munster looseheads Jeremy Loughman and Michael Milne.<\/p>\n

There has also been a recall, as it were, for Mick Kearney as manager. Even in retirement, he had remained in contact with most of the players as an off-field advisor\/consultant. Now Kearney has been lured back for his third stint as Ireland Team Manager, while Gerard Carmody will continue to oversee the operational direction of the team.<\/p>\n

Vastly experienced in these roles, Kearney had previously fulfilled similar positions with Leinster and the Ireland Under-20s.<\/p>\n

\"Ulster'sUlster’s Nathan Doak. Photograph: Dan Clohessy\/Inpho <\/p>\n

Elsewhere, here is the Ireland XV squad, who will play England at Thomond Park on Friday, February 6th at 7.15pm.<\/p>\n

Forwards (16):<\/b> Diarmuid Barron (Munster), Billy Bohan (Connacht), Paul Boyle (Connacht), Sam Crean (Ulster), Max Deegan (Leinster, capt), Brian Gleeson (Munster), Sam Illo (Connacht), Charlie Irvine (Ulster), Oli Jager (Munster), Sean Jansen (Connacht), Diarmuid Mangan (Leinster), Gus McCarthy (Leinster), Darragh Murray (Connacht), Stephen Smyth (Leinster), Bryn Ward (Ulster), Scott Wilson (Ulster).<\/p>\n

Backs (11):<\/b> Shane Daly (Munster), Matthew Devine (Connacht), Cathal Forde (Connacht), Fintan Gunne (Leinster), James Hume (Ulster), Dan Kelly (Munster), Joshua Kenny (Leinster), Ben Murphy (Connacht), Jack Murphy (Ulster), Jude Postlethwaite (Ulster), Zac Ward (Ulster).<\/p>\n

Andy Farrell reaction: <\/b><\/p>\n

\u201cI am delighted to announce the squad for the forthcoming Guinness Men\u2019s Six Nations. I believe that we have a talented and committed group who have the aptitude and drive to bring success to Ireland over the coming weeks. The Six Nations is an incredible tournament which brings out the best in players, and I have no doubt that these fixtures will be keenly contested once more.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe competition levels across all of the opposing teams has never been higher and we have an exciting challenge first up away to France in Paris to kick things off. It will be a huge test as always, and I have no doubt that there will be a huge travelling support over from Ireland once more to cheer on the team in a wonderful stadium we know well from our experiences at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe 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. Led once more by Caelan [Doris], we know that we have to hit the ground running and we\u2019re looking forward to regrouping on Sunday and meeting the challenges ahead in a positive frame of mind.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn congratulating each of the players on their selection, I am also pleased to welcome back Mick Kearney as Team Manager. Mick is vastly experienced and has played a key role in mentoring a vast number of players for many years. I have no doubt that he will continue to positively influence the squad in this campaign and beyond.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"IrelandIreland head coach Andy Farrell. Photograph: Ben Brady\/Inpho <\/p>\n

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has named a 37-player squad.<\/p>\n

Munster second row Edwin Edogbo and Ulster scrumhalf Nathan Doak have been called up in recognition of their performances for their provinces in recent weeks. <\/p>\n

Connacht secondrow Darragh Murray and Ulster backrow Bryn Ward will also join the squad in Portugal before linking up with the Ireland XV squad.<\/p>\n

Cormac Izuchukwu is not currently available while Robbie Henshaw, Calvin Nash, Jimmy O\u2019Brien and Andrew Porter are also injured. <\/p>\n

Ryan Baird, Shayne Bolton, Mack Hansen, Jordan Larmour and Paddy McCarthy are ruled out due to injury.<\/p>\n

\"Munster'sMunster’s Edwin Edogbo. Photograph: Nick Elliott\/Inpho <\/p>\n

Here\u2019s the squad. Harry Byrne is included. Uncapped Munster\u2019s Edwin Edogbo and Ulster\u2019s Nathan Doak are also included.<\/p>\n

Hugo Keenan<\/b>, who has been out injured since his heroics for the Lions last summer, said today that he hopes to be available for the opening match of the Six Nations in what would be a boost for Andy Farrell.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m doing well. I obviously haven\u2019t played yet, but I\u2019m getting there. I feel I\u2019ve turned the corner in the last couple of weeks. I\u2019ve been back out training fully with Leinster the last week or two, so starting to come good.\u201d<\/p>\n

France have left out Damian Penaud, Gr\u00e9gory Alldritt and Ga\u00ebl Fickou as head coach Fabien Galthi\u00e9 named a squad full of surprises for this year\u2019s Six Nations.<\/p>\n

The winger Penaud has scored a record 40 tries for his country and was named European Rugby Player of the Year for his outstanding club season last year for Bordeaux B\u00e8gles, as they won the Champions Cup. In his absence, the coaching staff could turn to Pau\u2019s rising star Th\u00e9o Attissogbe, Toulon\u2019s Ga\u00ebl Dr\u00e9an, or even Pau\u2019s Aaron Grandidier.<\/p>\n

Penaud has also scored in his last three Six Nations games against Ireland.<\/p>\n

Johnny Watterson writes about the chances of Harry Byrne, who could come into contention for outhalf after impressive form for Leinster.<\/p>\n

\u201cHaving become used to the Prendergast duel with\u00a0Jack Crowley<\/a>, picking Byrne would be a disrupting selection, perfect for what the Irish squad needs, which is another sharp pair of elbows contending for the 10 shirt.”<\/p>\n

[\u00a0Picking Harry Byrne would be a disrupting selection, perfect for what Ireland needsOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n

\"HarryHarry Byrne in Leinster training. Photograph: Grace Halton\/Inpho <\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a squad update from one of Ireland\u2019s Six Nations rivals Italy:<\/p>\n

Italy without injured Capuozzo and Negri in Six Nations squad<\/b><\/p>\n

Wing Ange Capuozzo and flanker Sebastian Negri were two of \u200bthe big names left out through injury when Italy head coach Gonzalo Quesada on Wednesday named his 33-man squad \u200dfor the 2026 Six Nations Championship, with two uncapped players called up.<\/p>\n

Italy are also without outhalf Tommaso Allan and \u200dbackrow Ross Vintcent for the start of the tournament, with 24-year-old flanker Samuele Locatelli and centre Damiano Mazza the uncapped pair included.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt two years out from a World Cup, a little less now, having the \u200cchance to bring in some other players, new players, is also an opportunity,\u201d Quesada said.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo that\u2019s how we look \u2060at it. We never focus too much on what we\u2019re missing. We look instead \u200cat \u200beverything \u200dwe have and everything we can control.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fullback Matt Gallagher, last included in the 2025 Six Nations, has been recalled, with wing Edoardo Todaro also selected after making his debut from the bench in Italy\u2019s last match \u2060against Chile in November.<\/p>\n

Flanker Michele Lamaro will captain the side for the fourth Six Nations \u2060in a row, and is set to \u2060make his 50th appearance when Italy host Scotland, who they have beaten in the last two editions, in Rome on February 7th.<\/p>\n

Italy head \u200dto Dublin a week later to take on Ireland and face champions France in Lille on February 22nd. England arrive at the Stadio Olimpico on March 7th and one week later Italy wrap up their campaign against Wales in Cardiff.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of excitement, a lot of enthusiasm in these days before we go to play in the tournament with the greatest history and tradition in world rugby, \u200cwhich has always given \u200cus so much adrenaline,\u201d Quesada added.<\/p>\n

Italy squad:<\/b><\/p>\n

Forwards:<\/b> Lorenzo Cannone, Niccolo Cannone, Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, Pablo Dimicheff, Riccardo Favretto, Simone Ferrari, Danilo Fischetti, Muhamed Hasa, Alessandro Izekor, Michele \u200cLamaro (captain), Samuele Locatelli, Giacomo Nicotera, David Odiase, Marco Riccioni, Federico Ruzza, Mirco Spagnolo, Andrea Zambonin, Manuel Zuliani<\/p>\n

Backs:<\/b> Juan \u2060Ignacio Brex, Giacomo Da Re, Alessandro Fusco Matt Gallagher, Paolo Garbisi, Monty Ioane, Louis Lynagh, Leonardo Marin, Damiano Mazza, Tommaso Menoncello, Paolo Odogwu, Martin Page-Relo, Lorenzo Pani, Edoardo Todaro, Stephen Varney<\/p>\n

\"AngeAnge Capuozzo of Italy in action under pressure of Edwill van der Merwe. Photograph: Federugby\/Federugby via Getty <\/p>\n

Hello and welcome to live coverage of Ireland<\/a>\u2019s Six Nations<\/a> squad announcement, which is expected about 3pm. Mack Hansen won\u2019t be in it as he was ruled out for the season through injury. Paddy McCarthy will also be out, while there are several injury doubts but Andy Farrell<\/a>\u2019s squad announcement should give a bit more clarity.<\/p>\n

Ireland\u2019s first game is against France on the unusual day of Thursday, February 5th at the Stade de France in Paris.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Ireland squad for the Six Nations Forwards (20): Tom Ahern (Munster), Finlay Bealham (Connacht), Tadhg Beirne (Munster), Jack…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":170403,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[76],"tags":[70904,18,19,17,34132,96426,132],"class_list":{"0":"post-296017","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports","8":"tag-andy-farrell","9":"tag-eire","10":"tag-ie","11":"tag-ireland","12":"tag-ireland-rugby","13":"tag-six-nations","14":"tag-sports"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@ie\/115933914435505321","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/296017","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=296017"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/296017\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/170403"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=296017"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=296017"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=296017"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}