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Wednesday 31 May 2023 Dublin: 15°C

# Midfield

This week
28th May 2023 - 31st May 2023
# Farewell
Fekitoa's season of two halves ends on a glorious high with Munster
The Tongan centre will move on to Benetton this summer after a rollercoaster year.
This year
2023
# Analysis
How instinctive, creative Antoine Frisch has become a key man for Munster
The France native has helped to transform the southern province’s attack this season.
# Midfield
McCloskey starts for Ireland as Ringrose ruled out of Italy clash
Jimmy O’Brien comes into the number 23 shirt.
Last year
2022
# Midfield
'Stu has done exceptionally well' - McCloskey makes Ireland chances count
The Ulster man will start his third consecutive Test tomorrow against Australia.
# Potential
'I didn’t expect to be in the squad or the team, so it was a shock'
19-year-old Aoife Dalton enjoyed a promising Ireland debut last weekend.
# Addition
Ulster centre McCloskey called up to Ireland squad in New Zealand
His provincial team-mate James Hume suffered an injury against the Māori All Blacks.
# Home Soil
Breen keen on England test after 'unbelievable' experience in Musgrave Park
The 22-year-old UL Bohs centre could come into the starting XV this weekend.
# Midfield
Wales 'really healthy' as Halaholo ticks boxes for Ireland game
The Cardiff centre is set to be available for selection for the clash in Dublin.
# Match Winner
Ireland midfielder Ronan's strike enough for St Mirren to see off Aberdeen
It was a third victory of 2022 for Jim Goodwin’s side.
# Midfield
'He's definitely an x-factor player' - Munster linked with Fekitoa
The former All Black centre was discussed on today’s episode of The42 Rugby Weekly Extra.
# Midfield
Munster still in market for a centre with Morris set to renew Sarries contract
Damian de Allende is out of contract at the end of the season and currently expected to leave.
# Midfield
Ulster's thrilling centre combination is an increasingly key weapon
Stuart McCloskey and James Hume have built a strong understanding.
# IQ
Munster make move to sign Irish-qualified centre Morris from Saracens
The 24-year-old centre could join the Irish province ahead of next season.
All time
# Midfield
Criminology student Higgins solving the challenges of playing 13
The 22-year-old impressed for Ireland against Italy last weekend.
# Options
Henshaw primed to play a central role in a dangerous Lions backline
20-year-old Louis Rees-Zammit has been included among the Lions’ back three options.
# One change
Jones names Daly at 13 as Slade ruled out of England's clash with Ireland
Joe Marchant comes onto the bench for the trip to Dublin but England are unchanged otherwise.
# difference
Munster will look to impact of 'world-class' centre De Allende in Europe
The Springboks midfielder has settled into life in Limerick very well.
# Midfield
McCloskey impatient to get Ireland career going again with cap number four
The Ulster centre hasn’t played Test rugby since November 2018.
# Midfield
'Ireland v England, it doesn't come any bigger than that. I'd love a crack at it'
Chris Farrell hopes to retain his place but Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw are also in contention.
# big hitters
Chris Farrell relishing overdue reunion with Henshaw
The Munster centre is also enthusiastic about playing with rather than against the ‘fiery’ James Lowe.
# centres
Henshaw and Aki set for titanic midfield battle against Fickou and Vakatawa
The Leinster man was sharp off the bench against Italy last weekend.
# Rising Star
22-year-old Hume shining for Ulster as he knuckles down to show potential
The outside centre scored an excellent try in last weekend’s Pro14 final against Leinster.
# Midfield
Ex-Connacht man Ahki wary of threat Ulster's McCloskey poses to Toulouse
The New Zealander enjoyed his time in Galway but has thrived with the Top 14 club.
# overhaul
Everton complete new-look midfield by signing Frenchman Doucoure
The 27-year-old arrives at Goodison Park from relegated Watford, following moves for Allan and James Rodriguez.
# Talent
Ireland U19 midfielder Joe Hodge named Man City's Scholar of the Year
The 17-year-old scored a superb goal on his Republic of Ireland U19 debut last summer.
# Departure
Scarlets confirm Wales centre Parkes' exit ahead of expected Japan move
The 32-year-old will be ineligible for the Welsh if he heads abroad.
# The42 Rugby Weekly
'I really think Ringrose is a strong option' - Picking the 2021 Lions centre pairing
The latest episode of The42 Rugby Weekly saw the lads choose their midfields and back threes.
# Options
Ringrose nailed on at 13, so who plays 12? - Ireland's midfield for the Six Nations
Chris Farrell and Stuart McCoskey are also vying for centre places under Andy Farrell.
# Midfield
'A lot of countries would choose Stuart McCloskey in their Six Nations squad'
Ulster boss Dan McFarland said the centre is ‘really disappointed’ after missing out.
# cohesion
Henshaw and Ringrose the more tested midfield combo against All Blacks
The All Blacks have plenty of experience but some relatively new combinations.
# Midfield
'Robbie is a big player for us' - Ireland feel Henshaw is worth the World Cup wait
The Leinster centre hasn’t featured in Japan yet due to a hamstring injury.
# Hamstrung
Still no Henshaw - Ireland carrying the centre shows his importance to Schmidt
The 26-year-old has played just 80 minutes of rugby since 25 May.
# Green Jersey
'People have their own opinions' - Aki proud to represent Ireland at the World Cup
The Connacht man says he has been embraced by the Irish rugby public since moving to Galway in 2014.
# Midfield
'I thought the dream had gone' - Farrell earns World Cup spot with Ireland
The Munster midfielder will be competing with Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw in Japan.
# centres
Aki and Henshaw make impact as Ireland's midfield competition heats up
Joe Schmidt has strong options, with Garry Ringrose and Chris Farrell also in his World Cup squad.
# Claim
'Declan Rice, Fabian Delph, Ross Barkley. That is not an international midfield'
Gary Neville believes Harry Winks could be the solution to England’s problems.
# Powerful
Munster man Farrell keen for opportunity to build on Edinburgh impression
The 25-year-old was back in a green shirt for the first time in almost a year.
# Not Long To Go
England add experienced Joseph to squad ahead of Ireland clash
The 27-year-old made his comeback from an ankle injury for Bath last weekend.
# Midfield
Powerful centre Laumape joins All Blacks squad ahead of Ireland clash
Sonny Bill Williams will miss the game in Dublin on Saturday.
# One Year On
'People have their own opinions. You can't hide from it... I have thick skin'
Bundee Aki made his debut for Ireland last November and has become a vital cog in Joe Schmidt’s machine since.