Farrell's problems mount before Six Nations

Having missed last year's Six Nations because of his British and Irish Lions commitments, Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has been quickly reminded of the headaches that are part and parcel of preparing a squad before the championship.

Farrell is, of course, no stranger to squad-related stresses. In 2023, Jamison Gibson-Park and Cian Healy both withdrew injured from the matchday squad just hours before Ireland's Six Nations opener against Wales in Cardiff.

Ireland won that game 34-10 and went on to secure the Grand Slam, but the build-up to next week's curtain-raiser against holders France in Paris has felt particularly trying.

A few issues at least emerged well in advance. In early December, Connacht said it would be "months for sure" before Mack Hansen, a strong option at wing or full-back, returns from a foot injury.

But the problems have continued to mount for Farrell since he named a 37-man squad on 21 January.

With Andrew Porter and Paddy McCarthy already sidelined, Farrell's hand at loose-head prop was further weakened when Jack Boyle withdrew from the squad after sustaining a bad leg injury in Leinster's win over Connacht last weekend.

Given Ireland's chastening evening against South Africa's scrum in November, their absence may be keenly felt.

Munster flanker Tom Ahern also withdrew, with the uncapped Billy Bohan and Cormac Izuchukwu drafted in, but further problems have emerged after Ireland touched down in Portugal for their usual pre-tournament training camp.

Having already admitted that his injury list is "larger than normal", Farrell has lost full-back Hugo Keenan to a fractured thumb.

Keenan's training-ground injury is a cruel blow for the 29-year-old after having only returned from the hip problem that has kept him out since his star turn for the Lions last summer.

With the fly-half debate ongoing, 15 is now a problem position for Farrell. Jamie Osborne started there against New Zealand and Japan in November, and while he is in the squad, he has not played since the win over the Brave Blossoms.

Ulster's Jacob Stockdale, Leinster's Ciaran Frawley and Munster's Jack Crowley - who is also battling Sam Prendergast and Harry Byrne for the 10 shirt - are all options for Farrell to consider.

Farrell will also be without veteran centre Bundee Aki for the France, Italy and England matches after he was suspended for verbally abusing match officials.

Aki was the subject of a misconduct complaint following Connacht's Unuted Rugby Championship loss to Leinster and was handed a four-game ban by an independent disciplinary committee that includes his club's game against Zebre this weekend.

While Aki will be available for Ireland's matches against Wales and Scotland, it remains to be seen whether Farrell brings him back into the squad.

Last year, Aki's Connacht team-mate Hansen was handed a three-match ban for comments he made about now-retired referee Chris Busby.

With Aki absent, Stuart McCloskey appears in pole position to start at inside centre in Paris next week after impressing there during an injury-hit autumn campaign.

The France game's unusual Thursday night slot had already shortened Farrell's preparation window, and with a growing list of absentees, leaving Paris with a victory next week would represent one of the most impressive achievements of the Englishman's six-year reign.