# Depth

Last year

2022

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.”

4.2k

Dec 12th 2022, 6:15 AM

# Depth

Connacht rest several key players but still earn deserved Challenge Cup win

The Irish side were too good for Newcastle Falcons.

15.1k

Dec 10th 2022, 8:01 PM

# 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.

36.2k

Oct 31st 2022, 2:51 PM

# 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.

38.4k

Aug 29th 2022, 3:55 PM

# 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.

23.8k

Jul 4th 2022, 7:30 PM

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.

8.0k

Sep 21st 2021, 2:07 PM

# 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.

4.9k

Jul 4th 2021, 5:01 PM

# 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.

19.9k

Jun 12th 2021, 1:52 PM

# 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.

6.4k

May 11th 2021, 9:41 PM

# 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.

4.3k

Feb 24th 2021, 4:05 PM

# 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.

5.9k

Nov 27th 2020, 1:01 AM

# 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.

7.8k

Sep 6th 2020, 1:55 PM

# 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.

12.6k

Aug 19th 2020, 7:00 AM

# 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.

12.0k

Aug 6th 2020, 6:17 PM

# 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.

8.0k

Aug 4th 2020, 12:28 PM

# 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.

9.3k

Jul 8th 2020, 11:45 AM

# 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.

7.4k

Apr 21st 2020, 7:30 AM

# Depth

'Players are pi**ed off not to be in the squad'

Leo Cullen is building a legacy not just a squad at Leinster.

11.1k

Jan 11th 2020, 6:00 AM

# 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.

9.8k

Nov 30th 2019, 6:00 AM

# 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.

5.3k

Oct 4th 2019, 8:46 AM

# 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.

50.0k

Sep 12th 2019, 1:24 PM

# 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.

7.4k

Apr 30th 2019, 2:05 PM

# 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.

6.4k

Mar 30th 2019, 8:44 AM

# 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?

14.9k

Jan 24th 2019, 6:06 PM

# 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.

24.0k

Jan 20th 2019, 8:00 PM

# 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.

11.9k

Nov 21st 2018, 8:52 AM

# 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.

13.3k

Nov 21st 2018, 7:31 AM

# 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.

11.2k

Nov 16th 2018, 3:05 PM

# 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.

8.8k

Nov 8th 2018, 9:40 PM

# Headache

Beirne's big outing in Chicago leaves Ireland spoiled in second row

Joe Schmidt has very strong options in the locking department

10.8k

Nov 6th 2018, 7:48 AM

# 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.

21.7k

Oct 25th 2018, 8:30 AM

# 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.

5.8k

Sep 10th 2018, 6:00 AM

# 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.

11.2k

Aug 22nd 2018, 1:28 PM

# 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.

9.9k

Jun 22nd 2018, 6:00 AM

# 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.

11.7k

Jun 20th 2018, 6:30 AM

# 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.

15.8k

May 19th 2018, 10:15 PM

# 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.

31.7k

Mar 11th 2018, 7:00 AM

# 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.

11.6k

Jan 31st 2018, 1:01 AM

# 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.

5.8k

Sep 28th 2017, 10:05 AM

# 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.

4.4k

Oct 6th 2016, 10:23 AM