Here we are then, at the midway point in the World Cup cycle, and it’s doubtful if there will be another Saturday quite like this one for taking a dive into Ireland’s depth chart. The then 20-year-old lock would become the youngest member of the World Cup squad at 22, and Crowley would be the second-youngest. Jack Murphy has also been in the Ireland XV squad while the IRFU could, and should, lure Joey Carbery back. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/InphoAt this remove, and at just 32, Tadhg Furlong still looks like being the starting tight-head for what would be a fourth World Cup. Such is the depth that a Connacht go-to ball carrier is in the Ireland XV squad, Sean Jansen, but didn’t even make today’s bench.

Source: The Irish Times November 08, 2025 15:02 UTC