Here I will select my 23 to face South Africa in the last international game of 2025. South Africa will come here as the reigning Rugby Championship winners as well as double World Champions from 2019 and 2023.
Here is the XV I would pick to face them on Saturday evening in Dublin,
15 Mack Hansen
14 Tommy O Brien
13 Garry Ringrose
12 Tom Farrell
11 James Lowe
10 Jack Crowley
9 Jamison Gibson Park
8 Jack Conan
7 Caelan Doris
6 Tadgh Beirne
5 James Ryan
4 Iain Henderson
3 Tadgh Furlong
2 Dan Sheehan
1 Andrew Porter
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16 Ronan Kelleher
17 Jack Boyle
18 Thomas Clarkson
19 Ryan Baird
20 Nick Timoney
21 Craig Casey
22 Ciaran Frawley
23 Robbie Henshaw
Here is my attempt at picking a 23 to play South Africa. I realise it won’t happen but on the evidence of the past few weeks, I feel this is the 23 best placed to take them on. Knowing the way squads have been picked in recent times, nobody will come in from the cold to play in the final fixture.
My reason for picking Frawley is his tackling ability. Sam Prendergast is still a work in progress on this front. Ireland are fortunate to have a number of 10s of varying quality that have all had a taste of international rugby over the last couple of years.
This out half debate will rage on but let’s try and pick on form and for the here and now and not for 2027…. As I say this 23 was picked having seen all 10s in particular over the course of the opening weeks of the club season.