Waiting in the wings for a Six Nations chance - Ireland's probables, possibles and wildcards out wide

Monday was a tough day for Irish rugby wingers.

It was confirmed that morning that Connacht's Mack Hansen would miss the Six Nations, his dislocated shoulder having required surgery which will see him ruled out for an extended period.

When the news first landed, thoughts immediately turned to Jimmy O’Brien. The versatile Leinster back had been next cab off the rank when it came to the Irish backfield in 2023. The 27-year-old had been one of the few players who excelled off the bench in the World Cup quarter-final defeat to New Zealand in October.

As much as losing Hansen would be a blow, there was some comfort in the prospect of O’Brien getting a run in the first team for the Six Nations. Unfortunately for O’Brien and Ireland head coach Andy Farrell, the Leinster man’s Six Nations was also ended on Monday afternoon as Leinster confirmed a neck injury would see him spend "a number of months" on the sidelines.

Farrell is expected to name his extended squad for the Six Nations next week, and while there aren’t going to be sweeping changes from his World Cup group, a spot has become wide open in the back-three for someone to make their mark early in this World Cup cycle.

Hansen and O’Brien’s injuries, combined with Keith Earls’ retirement, have opened up at least three wing/full-back positions to be filled. The Ireland coach will be breathing sweet relief that James Lowe is finally set for a return to action either this week or next, with the left wing still yet to play since the World Cup quarter-final defeat to the All Blacks.

Here, we’ll look at some of the probables, the possibles, and even the wildcard back-three options that will be trying to catch Andy Farrell’s eye this weekend in the Investec Champions Cup.

The Probables