Andy Farrell's Ireland are preparing for the northern hemisphere series of the 2026 Nations Championship, and the questions around his squad are getting sharper.
Ireland are locking in for a big new chapter in international rugby. Andy Farrell's side is preparing for the northern hemisphere series of the 2026 Nations Championship, a fresh competition that puts the sport's top nations in a more structured global contest.
Farrell has built a reputation for tight preparation and clear tactical identity, and this series will test both. With a new format raising the stakes, every selection call, from the front row to the back three, will carry extra weight as the squad takes shape.
Depth is the big talking point. Injuries, form and the push for places will all shape the group Farrell takes into camp, and players on the fringes will see this as a real chance to force their way into the matchday 23. The coaching staff will want a squad that can handle the physical and mental demands of back-to-back high-intensity Tests.
As the build-up gathers pace, expect plenty of debate over combinations, game plans and who steps up when the pressure is on. Ireland will be keen to start strongly and set the tone for what could be a defining campaign.
