'We're looking at every single loosehead that's playing' - Ireland intent on building front row stocks

On Saturday, it's quite likely that Cian Healy will earn a record 134th Ireland cap.

The 37-year-old would likely have done it earlier this year had he not missed the Rugby World Cup due to injury, and the reality of Ireland’s depth chart at that position means it’s very likely he will make a few more appearances into 2025 before a potential retirement in the summer.

There has been a scrutiny on Ireland’s lack of front row depth in the last couple of seasons, but in particular at loosehead, where Ireland are becoming overly reliant on Andrew Porter and Healy.

The lack of options on the left side of the scrum came into sharp focus during the summer when Porter and Healy were the only two out-and-out looseheads brought on tour to South Africa, with Andy Farrell willing to get tightheads Tom O’Toole or Finlay Bealham to provide cover if needed.

Since then, it’s a position that’s been under the microscope. At the top level, IRFU performance director David Humphreys has put a block on the provinces bringing in any more foreign front row signings, while the latest development is coming at underage level, where Irish Rugby are about to employ a coach who will specifically work with front row prospects around the country.

According to Ireland’s national scum coach John Fogarty (below), the new coach's role will be to come in and work with the National Talent Squad's (NTS) front row players around the country, to help bridge the gap between schools rugby – where there are restrictions on how far teams can push in the scrum – and what they are exposed to in U20 and adult rugby.

"We've looked at below 20s, so 17s, 18s, 19s, a technical coach that will make his way around the country to identify players to assist him," Fogarty said.

"I