Troy Parrott netted five goals in the November international break to push Ireland up to second in Group F, including a double against Portugal and a hat-trick against Hungary.
Nathan Collins is having a good season. Captain of both Brentford and the Republic of Ireland, Collins is dreaming of Europe with his club and the World Cup with his country. Despite losing long-time manager Thomas Frank and strikers Bryan Mbeumo and Yoanne Wissa in the summer, Brentford go into the weekend seventh in the Premier League.