HUGH FARRELLY: ROUX IS A RISK —
Conan and Farrell key to comeback hopes but Roux is a big risk
GIVEN the events of last weekend, a mini injury crisis and the World Cup countdown, this was Joe Schmidt’s most intriguing and challenging Ireland selection for some time.
Six Nations championships in World Cup years are always more complicated and Ireland’s head coach must try to strike a balance between restoring winning confidence, examining options for Japan and dealing with fluctuating form and injury issues.
One thing is clear, last weekend’s humbling by England has narrowed the focus and, while Ireland’s Six Nations campaign is not the priority this year, it will still have a bearing on the latest attempt to achieve World Cup fulfilment in the autumn.
Victory over the Scots tomorrow provide significant reassurance in that regard — not least because Ireland face Gregor Townsend’s men in their pool opener on September 22, knowing that defeat would likely mean taking on the All Blacks in the quarter-final.
Defeat tomorrow does not carry the same ominous consequences, but it would add to the growing concern surrounding the camp after being so comprehensively dominated by the English.
Schmidt has selected a matchday squad capable of easing that worry, but there are still questions to be addressed…
WAS HE RIGHT TO RESTORE ROB KEARNEY TO FULL-BACK?
He had no choice. Assessing his back-up options to Kearney at 15 is important, but it should not have happened first up against England. That is not hindsight talking, that is what was argued here last week — winning their opener against England was essential to providing Ireland with the breathing space to set their own terms in the Six Nations. Conversely, defeat at home has ramped up the pressure and Robbie Henshaw’s discomfiture out of position against England contributed directly to that unsettling reverse.
Kearney will shore up the space at the back exposed on Henshaw’s watch and, while the Leinster man is not a counter-attacking threat in the manner of his opposite number Stuart Hogg, his overall contribution has been a major factor in Ireland’s successes over recent years.
He should have been selected last Saturday and it is 100 per cent the right decision to start Kearney this weekend — once he helps Ireland get back on track, there will still be scope for broadening the vision at full-back before this championship concludes.
WHAT ABOUT THE MIDFIELD?
Garry Ringrose was Ireland’s best performer on a tough day against the English and his class will always be missed. Henshaw was expected to slot in at 13 after being moved out of full-back but his injury could be a blessing in disguise because Chris Farrell is made for this game. Although he has plenty of experience at outside centre, Henshaw has played his best rugby at 12 over the last number of years and it could have been a big ask going up against Huw Jones.
Instead Farrell, fit and firing again after a difficult spell on the sidelines, has that chance and it is one he will relish. The Munster centre has the size and directness to do considerable damage in attack and defence as well as possessing a more nuanced side to his game. He also dovetailed well with Bundee Aki in the wins over Argentina and Wales last season.
That said, Aki needs a big game next to Farrell. Doubts remain over the Connacht centre’s distriwould
It is 100 per cent right to start Kearney this weekend
bution skills and Henshaw, when fit, is the superior option at 12, but Aki is a force of nature when he is on his game and he will be driven to put last weekend’s bruising experience behind him.
IS JACK CONAN THE BEST OPTION AT NO 8?
Indisputably. Once CJ Stander was ruled out, his Leinster rival was the most sensible, and progressive, choice. There was talk of moving Sean O’Brien into the middle of the back row, and Josh van der Flier is unlucky to lose out at openside, but picking the Tullow man at No 8 would have put added pressure on an Irish lineout already missing the comforting presence of Devin Toner.
This is a career-defining opportunity for Conan. He has been on the fringes of the Ireland squad for some time now and, while impressing in lower profile outings, has never seriously challenged Stander as first-choice No 8.
Conan has admitted to having a tendency to drift in an out of games, but he carries a more varied attacking threat than Stander and has shown repeatedly for Leinster that he has the game to succeed at the highest level. This is Conan’s time to deliver under scrutiny and if he manages that, there could be a change to the pecking order come the World Cup.
IS QUINN ROUX UP TO THIS LEVEL?
The biggest issue with this team is Roux’s selection ahead of his Connacht teammate Ultan Dillane in the second row.
The residency-qualified South African brings raw power and, oftreferenced, scrummaging heft to the party but he has never convinced as a rugby player since arriving at Leinster in 2012.
There are doubts about his workrate, mobility and skillset and, though he has received plenty of praise this season, Dillane and Gavin Thornbury have been more impressive under Andy Friend out west. Furthermore, Roux is not noted as a lineout expert and the fact he will be calling the lineouts adds to the risk and concern. Injuries to Toner, Iain Henderson and Tadhg Beirne have queered the pitch but Schmidt may have missed a trick here because, with a focus on rediscovering the emotional intensity that was lacking against England, Dillane would have brought that in spades, whereas Roux is characterised more by his lumbering, than livewire, qualities.
Do not be surprised if Dillane is unleashed early from the bench.
IS THIS A TEAM THAT CAN BEAT SCOTLAND?
Certainly. Roux is a worry but, everywhere else, there is balance and proven ability as well as a bench possessing considerably more impact than Scotland’s.
The Scots are always dangerous if you let them play and the key now is ensuring that this Ireland group steps it up — after last weekend’s sobering events, they have to.