Six Nations title winners in 2024, Ireland’s form has suffered of late and they are under pressure for the 2025 title.
Ireland are out entirely after 2024. After the disappointment of the Rugby World Cup in 2023, they started with a magnificent 38-17 Six Nations victory over France, but belied the big slips of historical hindsight, with a turnaround of 4.
Heading into a tough summer tour of the world in South Africa, they lost the first Test, but then hit back with a brilliant second Test display and a last-gasp 25-24 draw to level the series at 1-1.
They were at their best in November in a 23-13 loss to New Zealand, but responded with wins over Argentina, Fiji and Australia – each with varying levels of performance, it must be said.
Ireland host England and France in 2025 alongside a tough trip to Scotland Here’s everything you need to know about Ireland’s opening fixture with England in the Aviva…
Fixtures
- England – Aviva Stadium – Saturday 1 February – 4.45pm (GMT)
- Scotland – Murrayfield – Sunday, February 9 – 3pm (GMT)
- Wales – Principality Stadium – Saturday, February 22 – 2.15pm (GMT)
- France – Aviva Stadium – Saturday 8 March – 2.15pm (GMT)
- Italy – Stadio Olimpico – Saturday 15 March – 2.15pm (GMT)
What has changed?
For a third Six Nations campaign in succession, Ireland enter it with a new captain in the form of Leinster No.8 Caelan Doris.
For the 2023 Grand Slam, John Sotton led the side in his final season, and the back row, Peter O’Mahony last year for the 2024 title sequence.
Peter O’Mahony links Ireland to 2024 Six Nations title but no longer captain
With O’Mahony now 35 and likely in his final season of professional rugby, Andy Farrell made the decision to promote Dorris for the relegation tests, and the 8s would be a good, quiet proposition for the Irish side in the relegation zone.
Doris will be under pressure to perform and lead those who say they are in decline
Speaking of Farrell, he will not be part of Ireland’s coaching staff for this Championship, leaving his role as head coach of the British and Irish Lions. :
Ireland manager Andy Farrell won’t side with the Six Nations because of his role as British and Irish Lions manager.
The talking point of the first-team news this year surrounds Munster’s Jack Crawley in the shirt for most of 2024, winning every minute of the Six Nations and two Test starts in November fast-tracking Leicester’s Sam Preregetti.
Whether Crowley keeps his place is of great interest and the first big call should be made.
Munster’s Jack Crowley was the starting half for 2024 but his place in the squad is now under huge pressure
In November, Sam Prendergast started against Crowley’s Ardalia before he started in the Champions Cup for the Lacers.
What’s hot?
For all that their autumn campaign may have suffered, Ireland still came away with three wins from four and retain some extremely talented players in their squad.
The likes of Andrew Porter, Dan Shelian, Tadh Beirne, Josh Van Der Fleer, Doris, Bunder Aki, Pock Hansen and Hugo Kuenan reflected most of the teams in the world.
Ireland, for their fragile form, retain some of the best players in the world, such as Tadhg Beirne
Some key men have returned from injury in time as well, Shelian and James Ames to start Line-Shane for the start of the Six Nations. I hope he comes back from a serious knee injury without any problems.
Tadhg Furlong was another key player to make it back, only to suffer a recurrence of his calf injury in the Ireland camp.
Dan Shelian was probably the best hooker in the world before his injury and his return, if fit, would be a big boost
Despite the home loss to New Zealand in November, Ireland hold a very impressive record in the Six Nations in Dublin. They haven’t lost at home in the Championship since 2021 and haven’t lost a Six Nations home Test in February for six years.
Odd years in the calendar are also campaigns in which Ireland usually have a better chance of a title tilt; Avoiding France and England could still play a huge role.
What is not?
The loss of head coach Farrell will certainly have an impact, while the overwhelming preponderance of Leinster players within this Ireland squad spells disaster.
Farrell’s absence from Ireland’s set-up is sure to be a big loss
36 selected 36 agree in Leicester, impressively leaving players in other states scratching their heads as to what they need to do to get the national call-up.
Munster are the main casualties in this as Ollie Jager, Thomas Athelny, John, Hodnett, Gavin Cobbs, Gavin Cabes, Tom Fantel and the absence of Shane Daly have also been overlooked.
Three of the squad’s loose ends are from Leicester and three of the four hooks are also from the Dublin-based state.
There is a feeling in parts of the country that the IRFU’s management of the national side is no longer fit for purpose, with Connacht Wing Hansen recently suspended for three weeks for complaining about the refereeing standards against Leicester in Dublin.
Scrum-half Craig Casey’s serious injury, with his career in form and Ulster building suspension also blown, while England’s subsequent game also comes at a very bad time.
The main negative for Ireland surrounds their form. The power and brilliance of 2023 has not appeared for a long time and there is no doubt that the side will have to prove it in 2025.
Championship record
Since 2000, six nations. Six-time winners (2009, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2023, 2024)
In total, 16 titles Outhight (1894, 1896, 1899, 1935, 1948, 1949, 1974, 1985, 198, 2015, 2014, 2015, 2014)
Ireland’s 36-man squad for the 2025 Six Nations.
Transfer. Ryan Baird (Leinster), Finlay Bealeham (Connacht), Tadhg Beirne (Munster), Jack Boyle (Leinster), Thomas Clarkson (Leinster), Caelan Doris (Leinster), Tadhg Furlong (Leinster), CIAN HAILY (LEINSTER), IAin Henderson (ULSTER), ROBER HERRING (ULST), CORMAC IZUCHUKWU (ULSTER), RONAN KELLEHER (LEINSTER), GEE MCCARTY (LEINSTER), PETSER O’Mahony (Munster), Andrew Porter (Leinster), CIAN PRRENRENDAST (CONINCT), James Ryan (Leinster), Dan Sheehan (Leinster), Josh Van Der Flier (Leinster)
Drink. Bundee Aki (Connacht), Caolin Blade (Connacht), Jack Crowley (Munster), Ciaran Frawley (Leinster), Mack Hanshaw (Leinster), Hugo Keenan (Leinster), James Lowe (Leinster), Conor Murrays (Munster), Calvin Nash (Munster), Jim Oskenen (Leinster), Jamie Osborne (Leinster), Garry Ringrose (Leinster)
