The Oscars, the Grammys, and Six Nations squads. No matter what the selections are, people will be hurt that they didn’t make it, and fans will be up in arms that their favourite was left out.
To measure how unlucky one is to miss out on the squad you have to look at two main aspects, the form of the player missing out, and the form of the player who is in the squad ahead of him. Other factors like the experience, youth, and playing style also come into play.
Here are five players we believe to be unlucky to miss out on selection for Ireland's Six Nations squad.
Kieran Marmion
Marmion has been in terrific form for a resurgent a Connacht side who are having their best season since the Pat Lam days.
Ahead of him in the Irish squad is Jamison Gibson Park, whose speed proved essential to Ireland’s success in the Autumn. Conor Murray, who has looked a shadow of his former self in recent years. And Craig Casey, who has lost his place as Ireland’s brightest scrumhalf prospect to Nathan Doak.
While Murray adds experience, Marmion has 28 caps himself and has been part of some important Irish victories. Were JGP to get an injury early on in a Six Nations match, Marmion would be the more logical choice for continuity of Farrell’s high tempo game plan.
Ross Byrne
Byrne rarely has a poor game and is consistently dependable. If it were Cullen and Lancaster in charge of Ireland, he would no doubt be in the Six Nations squad.
He has however had opportunities for Ireland in the past and his lack of game breaking ability which the likes of Carbery, Carty, and his brother Harry posses, counts against him.
Jack O’Donoghue
He is arguably Munster’s from player of the season so far, while also keeping the talented Hodnett and Kendellen out of their starting XV.
O'Donoghue is a classic Munster workhorse who appears to be taking on CJ Stander’s mantle as the backrower with the never say die attitude that will bring 110% every game for 80 minutes.
Unfortunately, like Ross Byrne, we know what his ceiling is, which gives newer players a better chance at breaking into a backrow that already has insane depth.
Rhys Ruddock
We’ve heard the constant shouting for the likes of Cooney, Carty, and Marmion to be involved in past and present squads, but the support for Ruddock is much quieter.
People tend to forget he is still one of the top backrowers in Europe and was sorely missed in Leinster’s semi-final loss to La Rochelle in last season’s Champions Cup.
He is only 31 years old, younger than the centrally contracted Peter O’Mahony, and arguably just as good at playing rugby.
Fineen Wycherley
With Ultan Dillane out of the frame following the announcement of his departure from Connacht at the end of the season, Wycherley would have been confident of a place in Farrell’s squad.
Like O’Donoghue, he has been a stand out performer for Munster this season, and has capably held off competition from Jean Kleyn.
It was a straight shoutout between himself Kieran Treadwell, and Ross Molony for the final second row berth, with Ulster’s Treadwell winning out, after a string of impressive performances for his province.
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