If there was an antidote to the biblical disappointment of Ireland getting knocked out of the Rugby World Cup, it can be found this weekend, as the new URC season begins.
Ulster, Connacht, and Munster are all on show tomorrow, with Leinster in action on Sunday, and many of Ireland's next gen will be showing off their talents.
Ireland's next game is against France in next year's Six Nations, and the journey to make a push for the squad starts now.
Andy Farrell will not be making wholesale changes or beginning a rebuild as some have suggested, but with the World Cup in the rear view mirror, his selection policy may be slightly more lenient.
Below we have chosen five players who could come into the reckoning for a place in his Ireland squad.
5 Players In This Week's URC Games That Could Make Ireland's Six Nations Squad
Antoine Frisch - Munster
It's rare that you find Ireland's four main centres fit at the same time, which could open up a spot for a relative new comer to join the party.
Leinster's Jamie Osborne is next in line given his previous experience with the Ireland squad, but Frisch's time with Emerging Ireland will stand to him.
Munster fans will be salivating at the prospect of watching him tear it up in the centre alongside new signings Alex Nankivell and Sean O'Brien.
17 February 2023; Antoine Frisch of Munster during the United Rugby Championship match between Munster and Ospreys at Thomond Park in Limerick. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
Jack Boyle - Leinster
The 21-year-old has no experience with the Ireland seniors and has just two appearances for Leinster.
However, he happens to be plying his trade in one of the weakest positions in the country in terms of depth.
He also finds himself as the first-choice 'fit' loose head at his province, with Cian Healy, Michael Milne, and Ed Byrne all out injured, and Andrew Porter rested after the World Cup.
A huge few weeks for the former St. Michael's man, to see if he can cut the mustard.
14 August 2023; Jack Boyle during Leinster rugby squad training at UCD in Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
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Josh Wycherley
It would be neglectful not to mention the Wycherley when discussing Ireland's young loose head options.
At 24 years of age he has already racked up 49 appearances for Munster, including 11 in the Champions Cup, while he also impressed for Emerging Ireland.
His small frame has held him back, but with another year under his belt he could leapfrog a Jeremy Loughman and/or Dave Kilcoyne in the pecking order at both Munster and Ireland.
1 January 2023; Josh Wycherley of Munster before the United Rugby Championship between Ulster and Munster at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Tom Ahern
An rare athletic specimen on these shores - akin to Ryan Baird but with an added two inches.
Despite being the same age, however, while Baird has played important supporting roles in Ireland's Grand Slam win and at the World Cup, Ahern's best experience with Ireland has been with Emerging Ireland.
The 6ft 8in second-row was the stand out performer with the young Ireland squad, before injury curtailed what looked likely to be his break out season.
Edwin Edogbo starts ahead of him this weekend, and could potentially come into Ireland reckoning as well.
22 October 2022; Thomas Ahern of Munster during the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Munster at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Scott Penny
With the young back row talent coming through at Leinster and Munster, fans will be hoping that a slot will open up for the Six Nations.
This may not come to pass given that last year's Six Nations back rowers could all still be available, but a call up to wider squad may be on the cards.
Penny captains Leinster this weekend, starting ahead of the experienced Will Connors, and will know the importance this season holds for a potential career with Ireland.
The Munster trio of John Hodnett, Brian Gleeson, and Ruadhan Quinn will hopefully be in the mix as well come February.
17 October 2023; Scott Penny during Leinster rugby squad training at UCD in Dublin. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
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