Jack Crowley and Johnny Sexton during Ireland squad training in Tours, France, in October 2023. With Sexton now retired Crowley is ready to step in and aspire to be a commanding figure. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/InphoIt would be true to Andy Farrell’s nature to largely stick with the players who saw him through a World Cup cycle that nearly was when this year’s initial Six Nations squad is announced on Wednesday at 2pm. Johnny Sexton’s retirement will lead to the most profound team change that the Irish coach must make. Jordan Larmour, one of the more painful World Cup omissions along with Joey Carbery, has grabbed attention in recent weeks with busy, eye-catching play with Leinster.

Source: The Irish Times January 17, 2024 16:29 UTC