WITH THE CHAMPAGNE still flowing following Ireland’s 6 Nations Championship victory, minds have already drifted towards the World Cup.

While Joe Schmidt made a number of forced changes due to injury, only two switches from start to finish were tactical. That of in the last game against Scotland with Luke Fitzgerald and Cian Healy coming in.

Fitzgerald spoke earlier last week that not having played in a World Cup was ‘the big disappointment’ in his career. That disappointment looks set put to bed later this year, but there are also a number of players who will be even more determined to make an impression over the next few months.

The following five players will be looking to prove that they are worth a call up but time is against them.

1. Donnacha Ryan

Source: Donall Farmer/INPHO

The Munster man became first choice in the second row along with captain Paul O’Connell after the 2011 World Cup. By the end of the 6 Nations in 2012, he was the starting lock, and played all three tests against New Zealand in the summer tour. He followed it up by starting all five games of the disastrous 2013 6 Nations before his career was interrupted by injury. He returned from the bench for Munster at the start of march scoring a try against the Ospreys.

2. Chris Henry

Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO