Ireland have plenty to ponder in Six Nations squad

Since Ireland's Autumn series ended with a dispiriting defeat by South Africa in November, it has been a mixed return for players back at their provinces.

Injury concerns loom large, most especially up front, while the form of a number of frontliners has been questioned too.

Andy Farrell will name his Six Nations squad on Wednesday, before the panel travels to Portugal for their now customary pre-tournament camp next week and then begin their campaign away to France on 5 February.

BBC Sport NI looks at the questions facing Farrell before the opener at the Stade de France in just over two weeks' time.

The most enduring question surrounding Farrell's squad has evolved in the months since Ireland last played.

What was viewed as a straight shootout between fly-halves Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley is now a three-way tug of war for the 10 jersey with Harry Byrne firmly back in the mix.

The Leinster player, who this time last year was so far down the pecking order that he was allowed to join Bristol on loan, started two of four Champions Cup pool games ahead of Prendergast and kicked the winning penalty against La Rochelle this month.

That Prendergast was still on the pitch at the time of Byrne's matchwinner was an interesting added wrinkle when it comes to judging the pair's goalkicking. Farrell's consistent namechecking of Byrne, who has not played Test rugby since 2024, during November felt significant too.

With continued questions over Prendergast's defensive contributions, and Crowley steering an out of form Munster side, could Ireland begin a fourth consecutive Six Nations with a different player as their starting 10?

Scrum-half is considerably more straightforward. Leinster's Jamison Gibson-Park has regained his sharpness as the season has progressed while, after an injury scare this month, Craig Casey is fit to be his back-up.

Connacht's Caolin Blade was third-choice in November but has played just twice since and it will be interesting to see if one of the western province's other nines, or Ulster's Nathan Doak, comes into the mix on Wednesday.

Injuries have hit Ireland most decisively in the front row with their first and second choice loose-heads - Andrew Porter and Paddy McCarthy - both currently out of action.

While a timetable for their returns has yet to be established, it is believed that both will miss the start of the Six Nations and will likely be out longer too.

As such, Jack Boyle's showing for Leinster against Bayonne in the Champions Cup was encouraging. The 23-year-old made his Ireland debut against Wales in the Six Nations last year and started both summer Tests against Georgia and Portugal.

That he was leapfrogged by McCarthy come November will have been a frustration, but injuries look set to ensure he has an extended run in the weeks ahead. Jeremy Loughman and Michael Milne would seem to be vying for the role of back-up in what will be a serious test of Ireland's depth at the position.

With Dan Sheehan and Ronan Kelleher both fit and firing, there are no worries at hooker but the tight-head stocks have also been hit. Tadhg Furlong picked up a calf injury against Bayonne, while Finlay Bealham missed both of Connacht's European games. Thomas Clarkson has been a squad regular in recent years but, beyond that, the 27-year-old Jack Aungier has just one Test cap.

In the second row, Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne and James Ryan are all certainties to be involved, while Cormac Izuchukwu is back fit at Ulster after missing November and Munster's Edwin Edogbo would offer a different physical presence.

Farrell named his usual four centres - Bundee Aki, Stuart McCloskey, Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose - for November while Tom Farrell was later called up and capped during the series.

While the likes of Jude Postlethwaite and Charlie Tector have had their moments in the United Rugby Championship, it feels unlikely that Farrell will stray beyond that quintet on Wednesday, although Henshaw did suffer a knee injury in Leinster's win over Bayonne.

Who will start against France is a more intriguing debate. Ringrose feels nailed on at outside centre, but McCloskey is likely the form 12 and started against New Zealand and Australia in November, although left both matches with injury.

He has been back for Ulster since the week before Christmas and started their past four games, including an eye-catching scuffle with Connacht's Bundee Aki in Galway.

That both men were sin-binned meant that one was called a draw but at this point McCloskey feels the likely victor in the race to start on 5 February.

Hugo Keenan has still played no rugby since the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia in the summer, although he is stepping up his training with Leinster.

Both Leinster's Ciaran Frawley and Jacob Stockdale of Ulster, who have previously played more frequently at fly-half and wing respectively, have been getting plenty of time at full-back for their provinces and would be the most likely to fill the void should Keenan's injuries or subsequent lack of minutes rule him out.

Mack Hansen is already out after ankle surgery, while James Lowe is another who has struggled to hit top gear after exertions with the Lions in the summer.

Leinster's Tommy O'Brien feels a natural replacement for Hansen in the number 14 jersey but there will be keen interest in the remainder of Farrell's back-three options come Wednesday.

The versatile Jimmy O'Brien is another who is carrying a knock while the uncapped duo Joshua Kenny and Zac Ward have really caught the eye this year and will be knocking on the door for involvement.

While the back row is undoubtedly an area of Irish depth, the loss of Ryan Baird is a blow.

The blindside flanker has started Ireland's past six games - a run that dates back to the retirement of Peter O'Mahony at the end of last season's Six Nations - but will miss out this time around with the fractured tibia he sustained against South Africa in November.

Tadhg Beirne can also play at six, as can Cormac Izuchukwu, while there is the option to start Jack Conan, who has made a habit of bringing sizeable contributions from the bench for Farrell in a unit with Josh van der Flier and skipper Caelan Doris.

With Nick Timoney, Cian Prendergast and Thomas Ahern all more than capable squad members too, Farrell's selection on Wednesday will not need to stray too far from the beaten path.