Connacht's Dave Heffernan hitting form at the right time for Ireland

With just over three weeks to go until Ireland take on New Zealand at the Aviva Stadium, the number two jersey for that meeting with the All Blacks is available for someone to grab it.

Rónan Kelleher is the latest hooker to join the injury list. The Leinster man hasn't officially been ruled out of contention after undergoing a minor ankle procedure last week, but with an estimated four to six weeks rehab projected by his province it would take a perfect recovery for him to be available for that first November Test.

With his provincial team-mate Dan Sheehan ruled out until the new year, and Ulster duo Rob Herring and Tom Stewart still yet to play this season due to respective calf and ankle injuries, Farrell could be without his first four options in the position for the visit of Scott Robertson’s side.

Munster’s Niall Scannell is the most experienced Irish-qualified Test hooker available right now, but won the last of his 20 caps at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, while his last involvement in an Irish squad came as a late call-up on the 2022 tour of New Zealand where he featured against the New Zealand Maori.

His Munster team-mate Diarmuid Barron is a strong contender to be in the squad for the Autumn Nations Series. The 26-year-old featured for Ireland 'A’ in 2022 and has been involved Irish squads in the past, but missed out on a golden opportunity to catch Farrell’s eye due to a concussion picked up just minutes after replacing Scannell in Saturday’s defeat against Leinster.

Another Barron, Leinster’s Lee Barron picked a knock during that game at Croke Park, which is likely to create an opportunity for Gus McCarthy to impress against Connacht on Saturday.

Former Ireland U20 captain McCarthy could be a bolter for a Test debut