Cian Tracey

He's quick.

I would have thought that that was just like if Andy Farrell was designing, you know, a winger that he would have been all over that.

And I'm a little bit surprised, sorry, I'm very surprised that he hasn't been included in the squad.

He's also not going to Portugal next week.

His younger brother, Bryn, who was also a brilliant talent playing in the back row, himself and Darren Murray are going to go and train in Portugal next week.

So it's not as if Farrell is bringing JJ Kenny or Zach Ward to have a closer look at them and

You're right, I think it's a back line that has been crying out for a bit of speed.

Matt Canson, not that he's the quickest in the world, is also one of those 10 players who's ruled out.

I think Robert Balacoon is a player who Andy Farrell would love to have capped 10, 12 times over the last few years.

But his body, unfortunately, just hasn't played ball.

He's picked up injuries at really, really bad times.

And I guess he's the one...

to benefit most, particularly ahead of his Ulster teammate, Zach Ward.

Tommy O'Brien, like you mentioned, Joe, he's another one who's carrying an injury.

The fact that he's named in the squad would suggest it's not too serious, but he didn't look too good when he went off against Bayonne last weekend.

So, yeah, at a time where you're kind of wondering and hoping really that Ireland would add a bit more

razzle dazzle a bit more pace to the back line you've two relatively young guys Zach Ward is 27 he's not quite young as many people think it's a bit of a shame but that's not to say that they won't be called into the Six Nations squad later on and get a first cap for sure so back three at the moment is assuming they go well in training and people like Hugo Keenan are naturally fit anyway

I think so, yeah.

Big ask for Hugo Keenan.

I sat down with him just before Christmas and the inclination was that he would probably play a game or two for Leinster and I would have imagined that the game this weekend against Connacht