Farrell’s problems mount before Six Nations

Having missed last year’s Six Nations because of his British and Irish Lions commitments, Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has been quickly reminded of the headaches that are part and parcel of preparing a squad before the championship.

Farrell is, of course, no stranger to squad-related stresses. In 2023, Jamison Gibson-Park and Cian Healy both withdrew injured from the matchday squad just hours before Ireland’s Six Nations opener against Wales in Cardiff.

Ireland won that game 34-10 and went on to secure the Grand Slam, but the build-up to next week’s curtain-raiser against holders France in Paris has felt particularly trying.

A few issues at least emerged well in advance. In early December, Connacht said it would be “months for sure” before Mack Hansen, a strong option at wing or full-back, returns from a foot injury.

But the problems have continued to mount for Farrell since he named a 37-man squad on 21 January.

With Andrew Porter and Paddy McCarthy already sidelined, Farrell’s hand at loose-head prop was further weakened when Jack Boyle withdrew from the squad after sustaining a bad leg injury in Leinster’s win over Connacht last weekend.

Given Ireland’s chastening evening against South Africa’s scrum in November, their absence may be keenly felt.

Munster flanker Tom Ahern also withdrew, with the uncapped Billy Bohan and Cormac Izuchukwu drafted in, but further problems have emerged after Ireland touched down in Portugal for their usual pre-tournament training camp.

Having already admitted that his injury list is “larger than normal”, Farrell has lost full-back Hugo Keenan to a fractured thumb.

Keenan’s training-ground injury is a cruel blow for the 29-year-old after having only returned from the hip problem that has kept him out since his star turn for the Lions last summer.

With the fly-half debate ongoing, 15 is now a problem position for Farrell. Jamie Osborne started there against New Zealand and Japan in November, and while he is in the squad, he has not played since the win over the Brave Blossoms.

Keenan’s injury was confirmed shortly after the announcement from Ireland that Bundee Aki had not travelled to Portugal because of disciplinary reasons, with Ulster’s uncapped Jude Postlethwaite replacing him in the squad.

The 35-year-old Connacht centre faces an independent disciplinary committee on Wednesday after being cited for comments made to match officials during his side’s loss to Leinster on Saturday.

Last year, Aki’s Connacht team-mate Hansen was handed a three-match ban for comments he made about now-retired referee Chris Busby.

With uncertainty surrounding Aki’s involvement, Stuart McCloskey appears in pole position to start at inside centre in Paris next week after impressing there during an injury-hit autumn campaign.