Ireland’s Rugby Squad Geared Up for 2025 Six Nations Title Defense
Ireland’s rugby team is ready to defend its Six Nations crown in 2025, with a squad brimming with experience and fresh talent. Interim coach Simon Easterby has named a 36-man roster, featuring a blend of seasoned veterans and promising newcomers.
Leading the charge is captain Caelan Doris, alongside stalwarts like Bundee Aki, Josh van der Flier, Peter O’mahony, and cian Healy, who recently etched his name in history as Ireland’s most capped player with an notable 134 appearances.
The squad also welcomes a new face in Leicester Tigers prop Jack Boyle (22), who seizes the opportunity presented by Tom O’Toole’s suspension. Boyle will be eager to prove himself on the international stage and contribute to Ireland’s quest for a third consecutive title.
Adding to the excitement, Leinster’s dynamic fly-half Sam Prendergast (21) retains his spot after a standout debut in November. He’ll be vying for the coveted number 10 jersey with Munster’s Jack Crowley (25), setting the stage for an intriguing positional battle.
While key players like winger James Lowe and hooker Dan Sheehan are currently sidelined due to injury, their inclusion in the squad signifies a positive outlook on their recovery.The Irish Rugby Union anticipates their return to action with Leinster in the coming weeks, paving the way for their potential involvement in the tournament.
Ireland’s title defense kicks off on February 1st in Dublin against England, the team that narrowly denied them a Grand Slam in the previous year.With Andy Farrell focusing on his role as head coach for the British and Irish Lions’ upcoming tour of Australia, Easterby steps in to guide the team through this crucial campaign.
Ireland’s 2025 Six Nations Squad:
Forwards (21):
Ryan Baird, Finlay Bealham, Tadhg Beirne, Jack Boyle, Thomas Clarkson, Jack Conan, Caelan doris (captain), Tadhg Furlong, Cian Healy, Iain Henderson, Rob Herring, Cormac Izuchukwu, Ronan Kelleher, Gus McCarthy, Joe mccarthy, Peter O’Mahony, Andrew Porter, cian Prendergast, James Ryan, Dan Sheehan, Josh van der Flier.
Backs (15):
Bundee Aki, Caolin Blade, jack Crowley, ciaran Frawley, Jamison Gibson-Park, Mack Hansen, Robbie Henshaw, Hugo Keenan, James Lowe, Conor Murray, Calvin Nash, Jimmy O’Brien, Jamie Osborne, Sam Prendergast, Garry Ringrose.
Can Ireland Make It Three in a Row? A Six Nations Preview with Ronan O’Gara
Welcome back, rugby fans! Today we have a true legend of the game with us, Ronan O’Gara, former Munster and Ireland fly-half and current La Rochelle head coach. Ronan, thanks for joining us!
Ronan O’Gara: It’s a pleasure to be here. Always good to talk rugby.
Excellent to have you. Ireland is gearing up to defend their Six Nations title in 2025, a feat that seems almost unimaginable after they secured back-to-back victories. What’s your take on Ireland’s chances this time around?
Ronan O’Gara: They’re certainly in a strong position, no doubt about that. Andy Farrell has built a formidable squad,packed with both experience and exciting young talent. The likes of Doris, van der Flier, Aki, they’re world-class players. And then you have guys like Prendergast and Boyle coming through, eager to make their mark.
It’s exciting to see young players like Prendergast and Boyle stepping up. The absence of key players like Lowe and Sheehan due to injury is a concern, though. How big a blow is that to Ireland’s hopes?
Ronan O’Gara: It’s definitely a setback.Lowe brings that X-factor, that try-scoring threat, and Sheehan is a vital cog in the pack.but the good news is they’re expected back soon. Ireland has strong depth in both positions, so hopefully, they can fill the void effectively.
There’s a lot of buzz about the fly-half battle between Crowley and Prendergast. It’s a engaging matchup. Who do you think has the edge?
Ronan O’Gara: Crowley has proven himself at the international level, but Prendergast’s Prasence is electrifying. He’s so confident and composed for such a young player. It’s a tough call, but I think Prendergast could be the one to shine.
It’s going to be fascinating to see how Simon Easterby manages the team in Andy Farrell’s absence. Is this a good opportunity for him to showcase his coaching credentials?
Ronan O’Gara: Absolutely. Steering the ship for a team defending its title is a challenging task, but Simon has been a valuable assistant to Farrell. He understands the team culture and knows these players inside out. It’s a chance for him to prove his mettle.
Ireland’s opening game is against England in Dublin.After the dramatic finish last year,it’s already shaping up to be a classic encounter. What are your predictions for that match?
Ronan O’Gara: Always a fierce rivalry! England will be looking for revenge after coming so close last year. But Ireland has the home advantage, and they’ve shown incredible consistency. I’d back Ireland to edge it out in a tight one.
We’ve seen Ireland’s dominance in recent years, but do you think they can maintain this level of performance against a resurgent England, France and other hungry teams in the Six Nations?
Ronan O’Gara: It’s a big ask, to be honest. The Six Nations is incredibly competitive. Every team brings their A-game, and there are no easy matches.
Ireland will need to stay focused and avoid complacency. But with their talent and determination, I wouldn’t bet against them making history with a third consecutive title.
well said Ronan, thanks for sharing your insights with us. I think we can all agree that this upcoming Six Nations is shaping up to be one of the most exciting yet. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below – who do you think will lift the trophy in 2025?
