"Out for the Six Nations" - Andy Farrell reveals Ireland Injury Update Ahead Of Italy Clash

Ahead of the 2026 Guinness Six Nations, Connacht head coach Stuart Lancaster confirmed that Mack Hansen looked set to miss the remainder of the season with a foot injury. The Connacht winger underwent surgery in London in December.

Additionally, key Leinster duo Andrew Porter and Hugo Keenan both suffered injuries in January ahead of the Six Nations. Ireland's starting loosehead over the last few years suffered a calf injury in training. This was predicted to sideline him for a number of months. Meanwhile, Keenan sustained a fractured thumb in training at the squad's warm-weather camp in Portugal.

Andy Farrell: “We think he’s going to miss out on the Six Nations as well, but it’s all about progression and stuff like that." Farrell revealed that Keenan looks set to miss out on the entirety of the Six Nations during yesterday's press conference.

“Andrew Porter, to be confirmed. We’re not holding out that he’s going to be involved. If he is, then that will be great further down the track because, obviously, there’s going to be further injuries, isn’t there? That’s going to happen. That’s just the nature of the competition."

Who else is there? Robbie could be back. Bundee could be available towards the end. There are a few that won’t, Paddy McCarthy won’t, there are a few that are going to miss out this season." Farrell confirmed.

The Ireland head coach also confirmed that Ryan Baird is set to miss out on the rest of the Six Nations alongside his Leinster teammate. However, the latest injury update did have some positives, with the potential return of Robbie Henshaw down the line.

Ahead of tomorrow's clash with the Italians, the Ireland head coach made a number of changes. Included in those half-dozen changes are the return of the 43-capped James Lowe, the Ulster pair of Cormac Izuchukwu and Rob Baloucoune, as well as the debut of Munster talent Edwin Edogbo.

Andy Farrell: "I think everyone realises that anyway, we all know what Josh can and will bring. He doesn't get the opportunity this week, but next week? We'll see about that, there's a door open for a different back-row, a different second-row partnership." Farrell explained the decision to exclude Josh Van Der Flier from the squad against Italy.

Additionally, another Irish namestay who fell to the bench following the performance against France was Leinster scrum-half Jameson-Gibson Park. Following the decision to bench the Leinster scrum-half, Munster's Craig Casey came in to replace him. Casey was named on the bench for Ireland's opening Six Nations clash, being promoted to the starting lineup this week.

Andy Farrell:“Craig's obviously had a lot of experience with us. He needs to keep cracking on as far as being able to lead a week. He's a guy that's desperate for more time and desperate for more opportunities in big games, and rather than give him a second-tier game or whatever, that has happened in the past, this is a big game."

“This is a big game now against Italy, and he gets to show us what he can do in a big game. I've been impressed with him, how he's handled himself this week. He plays quick, he's nice and accurate. He's one of the best passing games I've seen in world rugby actually so it's a big opportunity for him.”

During yesterday's press conference, Farrell also expressed his excitement at the upcoming debut of Munster prospect Edwin Edogbo. The Munster lock has been sidelined for a number of months due to an Achilles injury, also suffered a concussion against Castres in January.

Andy Farrell: “It's obviously a lot for him and others in that type of circumstance, and hence why we like to try and get people involved, like we've said over the years, so that they understand how to navigate their way through the first couple of weeks of international rugby, getting up to speed and stuff like that."

“He's a quiet lad but he's quietly obsessed with his rugby. Obviously, not coming from a rugby background, people tend to get this quickly to this type of position because there's something about them and you can see that coming out of him.”

Following the many changes made by Farrell after the loss to France, the head coach also spoke about wanting a significantly improved performance against Italy this weekend. However, the Irish head coach also warned of the threat that Italy possesses, calling them the "best Italian side to come to Dublin in years.

Ireland will take on this strong Italian side in front of a sold-out Aviva Stadium tomorrow, kicking off at 2:10 PM.