Winners & Losers As Andy Farrell Names His Six Nations Squad
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The Ireland Coaching Team have named a 35 player squad for the final two rounds of the Six Nations which will see Ireland take on Italy and France.
Ireland currently sits fourth overall on the table, one point behind Scotland and 4 points behind England and France who have all played an extra game. If Ireland win both of their remaining matches with bonus points they will win the Six Nations.
As Ireland chase the title, currently held by Wales, Andy Farrell has opted to include six uncapped players while inviting a further five players to train with the squad next week.
Farrell has picked a number of form-based selections ahead of the resumption of the Six Nations. We take a look at some of the winners and losers from his selection.
Losers - John Cooney & Luke McGrath
The form scrumhalf in Ireland earlier this year, John Cooney didn't quite hit the highs with Ulster that he did at the end of last year and the beginning of this.
However, a dip in form since the restart has seen Cooney fall out of favour with the Ireland coaching staff and ultimately miss out on the squad.
Cooney isn't the only one to have fallen out of favour as Luke McGrath has also missed out on the squad after featuring earlier this year and at the Rugby World Cup.
Winners - Kieran Marmion & Jamison Gibson-Park
Sticking with the scrum-halves, Kieran Marmion and Jamison Gibson-Park have been rewarded for their form for Connacht and Leinster respectively.
Farrell is spoilt for choice when it comes to his back-ups to Conor Murray which will force the Munster and Ireland veteran to be on top of his game to remain in the starting XV.
Marmion suffered a long-term injury and has finally returned to the Irish set up having impressed for Connacht since his return. Caolin Blade shone while Marmion was injured and even earned a call up to the Ireland squad but Marmion has since regained the starting jumper at the Province.
Jamison Gibson-Park has also been outstanding for Leinster and having qualified for Ireland through residency and looks set to make his test debut having joined Leinster from the Hurricanes back in 2016.
Loser - Devin Toner
A victim of the young talents coming through in the Leinster set up. Toner's position in the Ireland squad has been filled once again and this time by 21-year-old Leinster lock Ryan Baird.
Baird has been sensational for Leinster since he burst onto the scene for the side.
At 34, Toner is probably still right in contention for a test recall and will likely be in the squad if Farrell loses one of his second rowers to injury.
Connacht second-rower, Quinn Roux has also been recalled to the side after a fine run of form for the Province.
Winners - Shane Daly and Hugo Keenan
The presence of Ireland on the World Sevens circuit has benefited Andy Farrell with two former sevens stars receiving call ups after short stints for their Provinces.
Injuries and lack of fitness to the likes of Will Addison, Dave Kearney, Mike Haley and Keith Earls left Farrell a bit light on outside backs for the upcoming Six Nations but he is fortune enough to have two bright rookies who have made their mark on the PRO14 and Champions Cup.
23-year-old Daly has been selected after an impressive first season in the senior Munster squad that saw him feature on the wing and full-back, scoring four tries in 14 appearances. 24-year-old Keenan, like Daly, can play at fullback and at wing and even pushed Jordan Larmour to the wing for Leinster's opening game of the 2020/21 season. Keenan made a handful of appearances for Leinster over the past few seasons but broke through with the side last season making 12 appearances in the PRO14.
Loser - Sean Cronin
Sean Cronin's test career looks to be all but over as he misses out on the Ireland squad once again with Andy Farrell opting to stick with Rob Herring in the starting jumper with the likes of Dave Heffernan, Ronan Kelleher and the uncapped Ed Byrne included in the squad.
At 34, Cronin is the oldest of the players mentioned and it is understandable that Farrell has looked to the long term future of the Irish #2 jersey. Cronin did have a decade long career in the Ireland jersey albeit mostly from the bench earning 62 of his 72 test caps from the pine.
Winner - Stuart McCloskey
While Ulster supporters will be unhappy about John Cooney missing the squad, they will be delighted for Stuart McCloskey who has made the final cut.
McCloskey was recalled to the squad during the Six Nations earlier this year due to injuries in the squad and although he may well have got into the squad for similar reasons this time, his inclusion is just reward for his form.
The 3 test cap international has been a standout for Ulster over the past few seasons and has been particularly brilliant for the side since the return of rugby in Ireland.
McCloskey will be hoping for the opportunity to prove himself with making the squad just the first hurdle with the likes of Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw in his way to the #12 jersey.
View this post on InstagramAndy Farrell's 35 man squad to complete the final two rounds of the 2020 Six Nations ☘️
