Farrell

The most enduring question surrounding Farrell’s squad has evolved in the months since Ireland last played.

What was viewed as a straight shootout between fly-halves Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley is now a three-way tug of war for the 10 jersey with Harry Byrne firmly back in the mix.

The Leinster player, who this time last year was so far down the pecking order that he was allowed to join Bristol on loan, started two of four Champions Cup pool games ahead of Prendergast and kicked the winning penalty against La Rochelle this month.

That Prendergast was still on the pitch at the time of Byrne’s matchwinner was an interesting added wrinkle when it comes to judging the pair’s goalkicking. Farrell’s consistent namechecking of Byrne, who has not played Test rugby since 2024, during November felt significant too.

With continued questions over Prendergast’s defensive contributions, and Crowley steering an out of form Munster side, could Ireland begin a fourth consecutive Six Nations with a different player as their starting 10?

Scrum-half is considerably more straightforward. Leinster’s Jamison Gibson-Park has regained his sharpness as the season has progressed while, after an injury scare this month, Craig Casey is fit to be his back-up.

Connacht’s Caolin Blade was third-choice in November but has played just twice since and it will be interesting to see if one of the western province’s other nines, or Ulster’s Nathan Doak, comes into the mix on Wednesday.

“I thought, in terms of attitude, the ability to stick in the game for 80 minutes was the most pleasing.”

Those were Harlequins coach Jason Gilmore’s words after his side stuck to cross-town rivals Saracens with a performance of cunning and commitment back in October.

He has not seen much to please him since. Quins have lost three out of their last four Prem games, with Bristol running in four unanswered first-half tries to wreck the hosts’ Big Game party at Allianz Stadium.

It was a worryingly feeble showing on the biggest stage.

Their tackle success was down at 76% and despite shading 22 entries 17 to 12, they had little of Bristol’s attacking glint, until Marcus Smith jinked over late on with the game already gone.

Quins have plenty of quality. Luke Northmore and Oscar Beard are a punchy, play-making midfield duo, Cadan Murley and Rodrigo Isgro offer pace and panache out wide while Tyrone Green and Nick David are consistent top-flight performers.

Up front, Harry Williams and Guido Petti arrived in the summer to add grunt and snarl to a pack that already contains Fin Baxter, Chandler Cunningham-South, Alex Dombrandt and Jack Kenningham as well as Will Evans’ ground game.

But it isn’t clicking.