"Very bright future" - Simon Easterby reviews loose-head call-ups after Ireland hit with front row injury crisis - Ruck
Ireland Rugby News Six Nations 2026

“Very bright future” – Simon Easterby reviews loose-head call-ups after Ireland hit with front row injury crisis

2 February 2026
Tom Sansom

Ireland found themselves in quite the injury crisis leading into the 2026 Guinness Men’s Six Nations, with the front row being considerable thinned out ahead of the opening weekend. Andy Farrell’s men head to Paris this week to kick-start the competition, with a blockbuster clash lined up against France under the Thursday night lights.

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Three loose-head props were ruled out with injury ahead of the tournament, as the Leinster duo of Andrew Porter (calf) and Paddy McCarthy (foot) were sidelined with injuries prior to the opening squad announcement. The door opened for another Leinster loose-head in Jack Boyle, but only before the 23-year-old would suffer an Achilles injury in his final URC duties, as the Dubliners claimed an inter-pro triumph over Connacht.

As a result, uncapped Connacht hopeful Billy Bohan then filled the vacancy for the Portugal camp, with the 20-year-old called up alongside Munster loose-head duo Jeremy Loughman and Michael Milne. The versatile dual-headed prop Tom O’Toole also joined the fray, with the Ulster star capable of covering both the loose and tight pillars at scrum-time.

However, the latest news coming out of Quinta do Lago, is that Bohan has since been sent to join up with the Ireland XV group to take on England A in Limerick this Friday, leaving Loughman, Milne and O’Toole to prepare for Paris.

Looking ahead to the incoming clash in the French capital, Ireland coach Simon Easterby has full faith in his loose-head options despite a recent lack of international exposure, with 24 Test caps shared between Loughman (five), Milne (two) and O’Toole (17).

“Yeah, they’ve been very good.” Easterby said, at the Quinta do Lago training camp. “I think Billy [Bohan] has stepped up as a young player as well, and he’s impressed everyone. He’s got a very bright future ahead, and hopefully he’ll get an opportunity on Friday night [for Ireland XV].

“The other bit of competition, then for that loose-head spot, with Jez [Loughman] and Mikey [Milne] has been excellent. I’ve just walked up from a scrum session there, and it looked like they were going after each other and working hard. So, I think that’s part of the challenge and the excitement around a couple of players who haven’t been in for a while, in Jez and Mikey getting an opportunity to step up.”

“Sometimes those things are forced.” Easterby added. “Sometimes, they’re in there for their form, and both of them have gone well, we’ve been really impressed with them. But for us, it just adds and keeps adding depth to our squad, which is exactly what we want when we’re when we’re 18 months out of a Rugby World Cup.”

Whilst Ireland’s strength in depth have been tested at loose-head, Andy Farrell’s tight-head options seem to be building back to full strength. Finlay Bealham and a returning Tadhg Furlong look on track to make the match day 23, with the Leinster tight-head coming back from a problematic calf injury of his own. Whilst Bealham (54) and Furlong (82) bring considerably more international experience to the Ireland front row, (136 caps between them) Easterby also backs his loose-heads to step up to the Parisian plate.

“I don’t think it’s necessarily a lack of confidence in those guys, [Loughman and Milne] it’s just that they haven’t been playing at this level for a while. Jez has played a good bit of rugby, and Mikey as well, you know, [he’s had] a few niggles early season, but they’ve both been performing for Munster.

“For that end, they’re playing on the highest stage in Europe, and it’s now an opportunity for them to step up and make their mark at the international level.”

Turning his attention to Tom O’Toole, and Easterby is excited to have the versatile talents of the Ulster player at his disposal. “He’s done a bit of both.” Easterby confirmed.

“He does have that ability to be a double adapter and I think any team in world rugby would be keen to have those types of players that can do both. But obviously he’s played this season at tight-head for Ulster.”

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