By Luke Delaney

With the 2021 Six Nations kicking off this weekend, will Andy Farrell be able to add his first piece of silverware since replacing Joe Schmidt as head coach?

Since Farrell’s appointment, Ireland has been without a doubt, going through a transition phase, with the head coach giving opportunities to many new players over the past year, and it looks as though he will continue to do this, from the look of his squad for the upcoming game against Wales on Sunday.

All four provinces have enjoyed good starts to the domestic season with Leinster and Ulster leading conference A and Munster and Connacht leading conference B. Ireland fans have a lot to be excited about also with a large number of young players enjoying excellent breakthrough seasons at their respective clubs. Craig Casey, Tom O’Toole, Shane Daly and Leinster trio Ryan Baird, Rónan Kelleher and Will Connors, have all been called up to the Irish squad after impressive domestic seasons so far.

Another name that adds excitement to the Irish squad is New Zealand born, Leinster winger, James Lowe. Lowe made his Ireland debut at the end of the 2020 Six Nations campaign. James Lowe added real flair and pace to what looked to be a very depleted Irish back three towards the back end of 2020, and every time he carries the ball he looks as if he is going to make something happen out of nothing.

With Jacob Stockdale out injured, Ireland will be looking towards somebody else to make big carries and gain yards this weekend against Wales and James Lowe should be the man to do that.

Another positive for Andy Farrell’s side is the return of tighthead prop Tadgh Furlong who missed last year’s campaign through injury. On his day Furlong is one of the best props in the world and if Ireland is looking to claim their first Six Nations Championship since 2018, Furlong will need to be on top form and fully fit.

One of the biggest changes to the Ireland team comes with Paul O Connell’s return as Forwards Coach. The 108 capped lock will certainly be a great addition to the team with his experience, and he can also hopefully guide James Ryan back to his best form following a disappointing 2020 for both club and country.

Since Ryan’s debut in 2016, he immediately impressed Irish fans with his leadership , ball carrying and huge impact as a whole on the team, but he has looked a shadow of himself in the past year .If Ireland are to win this year’s championship, his biggest test will come against England. Since Ireland won at Twickenham to win the 2018 Six Nations Championship, Ireland has lost their last four games against Eddie Jones’ side. Ireland has been physically abysmal against England in all of these games, and has struggled to match the English side’s intensity and power from the start. Maro Itoje is the talisman for the English pack and should Ireland wish to match the physical intensity of Jones’ side, James Ryan will be vital towards stopping Itoje.

Ireland’s lack of depth at out half has been a problem spoken about for years now and the Irish fans are becoming more and more concerned about who can take the number 10 jersey when Sexton walks away. Joey Carberry looked to be the ideal replacement, but over the past couple of seasons has suffered bad injuries which have given both Leinster’s Ross Byrne and Ulster’s Billy Burns recent opportunities in the number 10 jersey. Sadly for Farrell and Ireland neither has looked convincing enough to be a long term replacement for Captain, Jonathan Sexton.

With many young players called up for the upcoming 6 nations here are my ones to watch for the 2021 Championship.

Shane Daly -Munster

Standing at 6 ft. 3in, Daly can play on the wing or at full back and gives Munster a big physical threat whenever he plays, something which Ireland could do with in these upcoming games. Daly has scored five tries for Munster in 24 appearances, since making his debut in 2018.

Rónan Kelleher - Leinster

With Ireland struggling to find a replacement hooker since Rory Best’s retirement in 2019, this 6 nations campaign could be the one for Kelleher to show Andy Farrell and Irish fans that he is the man for the job. Not only impressive at scrums and lineouts, Kelleher offers real attacking threat whenever playing for Leinster, scoring a very impressive nine tries since his debut.

Will Connors - Leinster

Since making his Ireland debut against Italy last Autumn and winning the Man of the Match award, Will Connors has gone from strength to strength for Leinster and adds real strength and depth to a packed Irish back row.

Ryan Baird - Leinster

With Connacht second row Quinn Roux pulling out due to injury, 21 year old Ryan Baird has been called up to the Irish squad for the first time. Baird is one for the future and is a commanding presence all around the pitch, but would especially offer great options at the lineout where Ireland struggled back in Autumn. A potential long term partnership of Baird and Ryan excites Leinster supporters already but with the help of Paul O Connell, Ryan Baird could find himself Ryan’s partner at international level also.