Current Six Nations Champions Ireland Show Mixed Results Ahead of 2025
Ireland’s journey after 2023’s World Cup has been a rollercoaster. They kicked off 2024 with a dominant 38-17 win over France in Marseille, but their Grand Slam dreams ended with a late loss to England at Twickenham.
Their summer tour to South Africa saw them bounce back from an opening Test defeat to clinch a thrilling 25-24 win in Durban, leveling the series. The November Tests brought mixed fortunes – a 23-13 loss to New Zealand, followed by wins against Argentina, Fiji and Australia, though performances varied.
Looking to 2025, Ireland faces key home games against England and France, plus a challenging Scotland away fixture.
Fixtures
- England – Aviva Stadium – Saturday, February 1 – 4.45pm (GMT)
- Scotland – Murrayfield – Sunday, February 9 – 3pm (GMT)
- Wales – Principality Stadium – Saturday, February 22 – 2.15pm (GMT)
- France – Aviva Stadium – Saturday, March 8 – 2.15pm (GMT)
- Italy – Stadio Olimpico – Saturday, March 15 – 2.15pm (GMT)
Leadership Update
Leinster’s No 8 Caelan Doris takes the captain’s armband, following Johnny Sexton (2023) and Peter O’Mahony (2024).
Andy Farrell picked Doris as captain for the autumn Tests, replacing the 35-year-old O’Mahony who’s likely in his final pro season. The new skipper faces pressure to lead strongly amid concerns about Ireland’s possible decline.
In a coaching shakeup, Andy Farrell steps away to lead the British and Irish Lions, with Simon Easterby stepping up as interim head coach. Easterby, who’s been with Ireland since 2014 handling forwards and defense, takes charge for the tournament.
A key storyline this year centers on the battle for the No. 10 jersey. Jack Crowley, who started throughout the 2024 Six Nations success and South Africa tour, faces competition from Leinster’s rising star Sam Prendergast, who got his chance in November. This leaves Easterby with a crucial first selection decision.
Ireland’s Strengths
Despite a patchy autumn showing, Ireland grabbed three wins from four and packs serious talent. Their world-class lineup includes Porter, Sheehan, Beirne, van der Flier, Doris, Aki, Hansen, and Keenan – all players who’d enhance any international squad.
Some good news for Ireland as key players Sheehan and Lowe return just in time for the Six Nations kickoff. Sheehan, arguably the world’s top player in his position, is back from a serious knee issue.
While Furlong also made his comeback, he’s now out again after aggravating a calf injury during camp.
Ireland’s Six Nations home record remains strong despite November’s New Zealand defeat. Their last championship loss in Dublin was February 2021, and with crowds present, they haven’t fallen at home since February 2019. Having both France and England at home this year could boost their title chances.
Potential Issues
Farrell’s absence to coach the Lions could impact team performance, while the heavy reliance on Leinster players in the squad poses potential risks.
The heavy Leinster presence in Ireland’s squad – 23 out of 36 players – raises concerns about provincial representation. Notable omissions include Munster stars Jager, Ahern, Hodnett, Coombes, Farrell, and Daly, plus Ulster’s Postlethwaite and Timoney.
The imbalance shows in position groups too – all looseheads and most hookers are from Leinster. Development player Cooney makes the cut despite limited game time, while more experienced options miss out.
This has sparked nationwide criticism of the IRFU’s selection process, with tensions high after Hansen’s three-week ban for criticizing Leinster match officiating.
Casey’s serious knee injury while in top form, O’Toole’s ban, and Furlong’s late withdrawal hit Ireland’s preparations.
More concerning is their current form – the dominant, sharp rugby of 2023 has been missing lately, leaving questions to answer heading into 2025.
Championship record
Six Nations since 2000: Six-time winners (2009, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2023, 2024)
Overall: 16 titles outright (1894, 1896, 1899, 1935, 1948, 1949, 1951, 1974, 1982, 1985, 2009, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2023, 2024)
Ireland’s 36-player squad for the 2025 Six Nations:
Forwards: Ryan Baird (Leinster), Finlay Bealham (Connacht), Tadhg Beirne (Munster), Jack Boyle (Leinster), Thomas Clarkson (Leinster), Jack Conan (Leinster), Caelan Doris (Leinster, capt), Tadhg Furlong (Leinster), Cian Healy (Leinster), Iain Henderson (Ulster), Rob Herring (Ulster), Cormac Izuchukwu (Ulster), Ronan Kelleher (Leinster), Gus McCarthy (Leinster), Joe McCarthy (Leinster), Peter O’Mahony (Munster), Andrew Porter (Leinster), Cian Prendergast (Connacht), James Ryan (Leinster), Dan Sheehan (Leinster), Josh van der Flier (Leinster)
Backs: Bundee Aki (Connacht), Caolin Blade (Connacht), Jack Crowley (Munster), Ciaran Frawley (Leinster), Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster), Mack Hansen (Connacht), Robbie Henshaw (Leinster), Hugo Keenan (Leinster), James Lowe (Leinster), Conor Murray (Munster), Calvin Nash (Munster), Jimmy O’Brien (Leinster), Jamie Osborne (Leinster), Sam Prendergast (Leinster), Garry Ringrose (Leinster)
