8 Ulster Players Chosen in Andy Farrell’s Ireland Squad.

Today Farrell and his coaching staff revealed the 37 man squad for this year’s Six Nations. Included in this squad is 8 Ulster players ready to fight for their spot, and some looking in prime position to challenge longstanding starting players.

Iain Henderson and Rob Herring are the first two, and most expected, Ulster players on the Ireland squad. Both have long been integral parts of the Ireland team with Henderson also being of Lions pedigree. Henderson hasn’t featured for Ulster since injuring his ankle in the first Northampton game this season, however it must have been deemed that he would be fit for Ireland’s first game facing Wales. Herring has found himself in a tough spot as of recent with big performers like Kelleher and Sheehan challenging for the number 2 shirt. Herring spoke after the Autumn Nations series about areas of his game that he needs to improve to hold onto the starting position. It’ll be interesting to see if the coaches feel he’s earned it.

Tom O’Toole and Nick Timoney are both players that have far from guaranteed their spot on the team but are looking to cement their places over the next string of games. Both saw game time in the Autumn Nations series, each having a big impact in the final game against Argentina. O’Toole and Timoney have both been in excellent form for Ulster, with Timoney topping stats lists consistently for turnovers, tackles, etc.

The final forward picked to represent Ulster in the Irish set up is one I honestly wouldn’t have expected: Kieran Treadwell. Treadwell hasn’t featured for Ireland since 2017rm as of late has been exceptional. Treadwell has always been a big, abrasive runner but it’s definitely been a big focus for him recently. Some of the lines he ran off the breakdown against Northampton were devastating, forcing opposition to make huge tackles to stop him breaking through. That sort of running is something a defence can only hold out for so long. A well deserved call up.

In the backs, Baloucoune and Hume find themselves once again getting the nod. Baloucoune features during the Autumn Nations but struggled to find his way into the game. Hume was called up but didn’t feature. Since then, Hume has somehow found another level of form and pushed every week to perform even more spectacularly. Whilst Baloucoune found himself out for several weeks with a shoulder injury, his first game in a while against Northampton more than made up for it. Baloucoune not only proved that he is in great form and can have ridiculous impact on a game, but also that he can come off the back of an injury and immediately pick up where he left off. Most would say he performed even better than when he left off.

Ulster’s uncapped fullback, Michael Lowry, has given the nod which will be making Hugo Keenan feel the pressure. Lowry’s defensive talents and attacking danger (particularly in conjunction with Baloucoune and Hume) is very often too much for defences to handle. Any loose ball will be snapped up and immediately put to use. A well deserved callup for a player who has the talent to claim a starting role not too far down the line.

All around Ulster are well represented with a mix of youth and experience. The young players have so much potential to challenge the steadfast starters which is exactly what drives a team forward and encourages individual players to always put their best foot forward.