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Tuesday 28 March 2023 Dublin: 8°C

# Depth

Last year
2022
# Optimism
Friend thrilled Connacht's squad depth strengthened by Challenge Cup games
“We’ve got to be brave enough to use it. There would have been a lot of people scratching their heads wondering what are we doing.”
# Depth
Connacht rest several key players but still earn deserved Challenge Cup win
The Irish side were too good for Newcastle Falcons.
# Depth
'I think he should move to Munster' - Leinster hooker McKee shines
Bernard Jackman gave his views on today’s episode of The42 Rugby Weekly Extra.
# Depth
Ireland set to bring inexperienced squad on mini-tour of South Africa
Andy Farrell and co. are keen to keep building their depth ahead of the World Cup.
# rugby weekly extra
'Behind them, it's an absolute car crash... There's a big issue'
Ireland’s scrum had another tough outing against the All Blacks last weekend.
All time
# Addition
Connacht close in on new signing to help cover Buckley's long-term injury
Meanwhile, Kieran Marmion is the only fit scrum-half in the senior squad.
# Depth
Finn Harps sign LOI veteran Doherty and well travelled defender Mustoe
Academy attacker Sean Kerrigan has also been promoted to the first-team squad until he leaves for college in America at the end of the summer.
# Depth
Doris and Coombes show the future is very bright for Ireland at 8
The 23-year-old pair reminded Andy Farrell of their qualities last night in the Rainbow Cup.
# Depth
United will have to bolster squad in order to catch City, admits Solskjaer
‘We want to take the next step and it might be that we need a couple more,’ acknowledged the Norwegian.
# Depth
Dundalk add former LOI Premier Division top scorer Ogedi-Uzokwe to their ranks
The Londoner arrives at Oriel Park after recent stints with Derry and Sligo, with a brief spell in Israel sandwiched between.
# Depth
'We're glad to grow the playing pool' - Farrell asks for a calmer Ireland
The head coach is excited about the nine changes he has made for Georgia.
# stacked
All Blacks name seven uncapped players in impressive first squad of 2020
Alex Hodgman, Tupou Vaa’i, Quinten Strange, Cullen Grace, Caleb Clarke, Will Jordan and Hoskins Sotutu are in.
# playmakers
Loss of Carbery leaves door slightly ajar for bright new generation of Munster 10s
The Athy man will sit out an indeterminable amount of time to recover from his ankle issue.Munster have a wealth of homegrown, but raw, options.
# Depth
Leinster backing 20-year-old prospect Clarkson to step up at tighthead prop
Meanwhile, there is excitement about 21-year-old hooker Dan Sheehan’s potential.
# Key Man
James Ryan's injury a big blow but Leinster have second row depth to cope
21-year-old Ryan Baird will be hoping for opportunities when rugby gets back underway.
# Additions
Connacht confirm signings of Aussie 7s international and Kiwi number eight
Andy Friend has added Ben O’Donnell and Kiwi number eight Abraham Papali’i to his squad.
# Depth
'It's always easier to have 10 than two' - Leinster's back row riches
With Jack Conan and Dan Leavy back in the mix, the province will have serious depth.
# Depth
'Players are pi**ed off not to be in the squad'
Leo Cullen is building a legacy not just a squad at Leinster.
# Competition
'It's not like years gone by where I might automatically walk back into the 15 jersey'
Connacht are looking for their fifth Pro14 win of the season against the Kings this evening.
# Depth
Scotland's Blair calls for bigger squads at Rugby World Cup
The Scots face Russia and Japan in the space of four days as they bid to reach the last eight.
# depth chart
Have Ireland built better depth? Comparing the 2019 RWC squad to 2015
We’ve broken down Joe Schmidt’s squad position-by-position.
# Options
Marmion or Blade? Big call for Andy Friend in Connacht's nine jersey
The Connacht boss says ‘it will be tough’ to make a decision at scrum-half.
# bounce back
Connacht to 'regroup' for huge Pro14 run-in after disappointment against Sale
Andy Friend’s side will fly home with regrets after their Challenge Cup quarter-final.
# Depth
'Joey Carbery could play 10 for any of the teams in the Six Nations' - Jackman
Should Ireland use this year’s championship as a squad strengthening exercise?
# Depth
'You've got to feel for them when Conan doesn't play and they put O'Brien on'
Wasps director of rugby Dai Young said Leinster’s depth makes them difficult to beat.
# depth chart
Growth of scrum-half depth in Murray's absence a major positive for Ireland
Kieran Marmion got two big starts this month, while Luke McGrath and John Cooney have had exposure too.
# rotation
Schmidt to give Ireland's wider squad opportunities against the USA
There will be plenty of hungry players eager to make an impression this weekend in Dublin.
# Depth
'Josh has been unbelievably physical. He will fit in seamlessly'
Dan Leavy’s injury means his Leinster team-mate comes into the team at openside.
# Work in progress
'Are we currently comfortable with where we're at? We're never comfortable'
While Joe Schmidt says he has good depth in certain positions, there is still much work to do.
# Headache
Beirne's big outing in Chicago leaves Ireland spoiled in second row
Joe Schmidt has very strong options in the locking department
# Depth
The uncapped inclusions make sense as Schmidt names deep November squad
Ross Byrne, Will Addison and Sammy Arnold are already familiar with Schmidt’s demands.
# Options
Aki return to bring more momentum as Connacht's depth grows
The back row will be difficult to pick if Connacht have everyone fit and firing.
# Depth
Opinion: Lack of player rotation contributed to Galway losing All-Ireland crown
There was little change between the Galway outfits which started the 2017 and 2018 All-Ireland SHC finals.
# Depth
Big opportunity for Conan as Schmidt resists temptation to make change at 9
Conor Murray will be at scrum-half against the Wallabies tomorrow.
# Options
Scannell and Herring impress as Ireland's depth continues to grow
Joe Schmidt and his coaching staff are pleased that they now have options across the pitch.
# Depth
Leinster's fresh faces make their presence truly felt against Munster
The likes of James Lowe and Jack Conan came in to make a big impact in the win over Munster.
# joe show
Joe Schmidt's third Six Nations title with Ireland shows his enduring quality
The Kiwi is arguably Ireland’s greatest ever head coach.
# Options
Back row competition points to Ireland's much-improved depth
Building depth has been a key goal since the 2015 World Cup quarter-final exit.
# Depth
All Black locks get a rest even with title on the line in Buenos Aires
While most countries would be sending out their best, most experienced side, New Zealand are building depth for the 2019 World Cup.
# Depth
Waisake Naholo back in black as New Zealand take aim at 'Boks
The wing has endured a torrid time with injury, but has managed to win seven Test caps since his debut last year.