Reigning Six Nations champions Ireland will bid to prove their mettle again as the 2024 edition of the tournament is staged between February 2 and March 16.
The action gets underway on the first weekend in February with a blockbuster clash between France and Ireland. Italy vs England and Wales vs Scotland completes the first round of matches.
Ireland then face Italy at the Aviva Stadium on February 11 before hosting Wales two weeks later. They visit England on March 9 and complete their fixtures seven days later at home to Scotland.
Ireland Six Nations Squad
• Forwards – Ryan Baird (Leinster), Finlay Bealham (Connacht), Tadhg Beirne (Munster), Jack Conan (Leinster), Caelan Doris (Leinster), Tadhg Furlong (Leinster), Cian Healy (Leinster), Iain Henderson (Ulster), Ronan Kelleher (Leinster), Jeremy Loughman (Munster), Joe McCarthy (Leinster), Peter O’Mahony (Munster), Tom O’Toole (Ulster), Andrew Porter (Leinster), James Ryan (Leinster), Dan Sheehan (Leinster), Tom Stewart (Ulster), Nick Timoney (Ulster), Josh van der Flier (Leinster).
• Backs – Bundee Aki (Connacht), Harry Byrne (Leinster), Craig Casey (Munster), Jack Crowley (Munster), Ciaran Frawley (Leinster), Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster), Robbie Henshaw (Leinster), Hugo Keenan (Leinster), Jordan Larmour (Leinster), James Lowe (Leinster), Stuart McCloskey (Ulster), Conor Murray (Munster), Calvin Nash (Munster), Garry Ringrose (Leinster), Jacob Stockdale (Ulster).
• Training Panellists – Oli Jager (Munster), Thomas Ahern (Munster), Sam Prendergast (Leinster).
A New Era Dawns for Ireland
Hope and uncertainty fill the air as Ireland prepare for a significant passing of the torch in the 2024 Six Nations Championship.
Cork-born flanker Peter O’Mahony has taken over as the captain of Ireland following Johnny Sexton’s retirement. He will undoubtedly be a tough act to follow. Sexton’s retirement cast a long shadow at fly-half, but a new era dawns in Irish rugby union – one that shines with both opportunity and anxiety.
Harry Byrne, Jack Crowley and Ciaran Frawley have been called into the national squad to fill gap, although their combined 12 caps highlight their inexperience. However, these young players are hungry for glory and that hunger could spur them to the title. They have the raw talent and could galvanise something special in the heat of battle.
Ireland have also been hit by several injury setbacks to key players including Ross Byrne, He had surgery on his arm after picking up an injury when trying to prevent Craig Casey from scoring during Leinster’s recent victory over their provincial rivals. The 28-year-old fly-half will be a massive miss for the Irish team.
Ulster force of nature Jacob Stockdale is back from his World Cup exile and will be desperate to reignite his international career, bringing his experience from provincial rugby.
Veterans Iain Henderson, Stuart McCloskey and Tom O’Toole are in the squad, while the athletic Nick Timoney earns a recall for his incredible form with Ulster.
Battle-hardened captain O’Mahony will prove pivotal as they bid to retain the title. With 101 caps and ten previous captaincies, he will be a centre-piece in Ireland’s quest.
The grizzled warrior knows the challenges ahead better than anybody and will lead his charges to glory through the gauntlet of fire.
However, despite looking optimistically towards the tournament, his recent injury is a cause for concern. Ireland fans will be desperate to see him shake off any niggles.
The Bookies Favour France
Leading bookmakers have installed France as favourites to lift the title with odds of 2.30, while Irish betting sites rate Ireland as 2.50 shots to claim a second consecutive title. England are next in the betting after reaching the semi-finals of the 2023 World Cup and could be dangerous if they produce their best form. Scotland, Wales and Italy are not expected to challenge for the title, but could spring a surprise result or two during the tournament.
While Ireland will head into the Six Nations believing they can defend the title, the tough fixture list could scupper their hopes of achieving the feat. Visits to France and England will not be easy, and it would be no surprise to see at least one of those two teams finish ahead of Ireland in the final standings.
The clash between France and England on March 16 could be the title decider and Les Bleus are fancied to get the job done in Lyon.