A TIME TO PICK AND MIX, JOE
The need to answer World Cup questions is Ireland’s priority as they return to action in Rome
THE easiest game but arguably the most complicated selection for Ireland coach Joe Schmidt.
Italy have donned their customary whipping boys garb in this Six Nations (although France are modelling a similar outfit) and this Rome assignment has long been flagged as the game best suited to solving selection quandaries for the World Cup.
The complications arise from an unhelpful schedule that has weeks off either side of this ‘gimme’ fixture just as Ireland had reclaimed momentum with a decent win in Scotland.
There will be arguments to build on that by allowing the frontliners another outing and, given that some of those senior players are short on game time or need to play themselves back into form, there is merit to that approach.
But this is not a normal year. Realistically, while Ireland would like to go into the World Cup on the back of an encouraging Six Nations, the priority is to peak in September and October not March and, with just three competitive games left before Japan, there is an imperative to use them as a means of answering various depth questions.
That means broad rotation — the policy Wales followed with the same fixture a couple of weeks ago — and while Schmidt may well baulk at going too far down the pick-and-mix route. There is a bigger picture to embrace and now is the time to get out the bold colours.
It is a risky approach, even against Italy, but Ireland have quality depth in all areas and now is the time to assess it...
FULL-BACK
With Rob Kearney firmly re-established as first choice, there is little to be gained by running him out against Italy. Yes, he is short on game time but the World Cup is eight months away and the issue of who fills in should Kearney be unavailable in Japan is yet to be resolved. Robbie Henshaw was tried against England and it did not work out and, fitness permitting, there is an argument for giving Henshaw another audition.
However, a fit and firing Henshaw remains Ireland’s best option at 12 and that suggests looking elsewhere. Of the available candidates, Jordan Larmour has more recent exposure at 15 than Will Addison or Andrew Conway but it is a position where experience is essential and the 21-year-old Larmour is still callow at the top level.
Conway has proven himself at this level and, though he has been kept on the wing by Mike Haley at Munster, he looks perfect for fullback with the physical nous to go with exceptional running ability that could flourish from extra space at the back.
WINGS
Jacob Stockdale has nothing to prove on the left wing and although this would be a good game to add to his remarkable try tally (13 from 16 Tests), Larmour deserves his shot.
He starred, at 15, against the Italians in Chicago last November but struggled in the same jersey next up against Argentina and picking him on the left wing would offer more protection.
On the right, Keith Earls is well established within the Schmidt regime but, having been clearly targeted in the first two outings, it would be useful to have a look at a bigger alternative like Adam Byrne, who has come into productive form with Leinster.
CENTRES
Garry Ringrose, Henshaw and Bundee Aki are the acknowledged midfield frontliners and it is a good time to look at the understudies. The suspicion remains that Ireland could use a secondary playmaker at 12 and Munster’s Rory Scannell is the best option but was not part of the initial squad. Henshaw, assuming he is available, needs a game in his best position of inside centre. Chris Farrell’s injury last weekend is unhelpful but if his availability is compromised, Tom Farrell’s continuing form with Connacht is deserving of a shot at 13 for his Test debut.
HALF-BACKS
Even though he has not played as much as he, or Ireland, would have liked this season, there is no real need to put Johnny Sexton in Italian cross-hairs in Rome.
Game time is key to Joey Carbery’s progression as back-up and though he has had plenty of it this season, he needs more — he mixed the bad with the brilliant when replacing Sexton at Murrayfield.
At scrum-half, Conor Murray has yet to get back to where he was pre-injury but assuming he will get there by the World Cup, why not look at alternatives again? Even with Schmidt’s regular choice as back-up No 9, Kieran Marmion, fit again, John Cooney deserves a start. There is a gravitas to Cooney’s play that merits proper assessment and Rome is the ideal opportunity.
HOOKER
Of all the Ireland players, 36-year-old captain Rory Best is most in need of a break and Sean Cronin will be desperate to prove his worth from the off having made a staggering 58 of his 67 Test appearances as substitute. Unfortunately for Cronin, while he can rightly point to his form as starter for Leinster, at international level his importance as ‘closer’ is huge whereas Munster’s Niall Scannell has the type of dogged, grafting style better suited to starting when Best is out of the equation as well as being a natural leader.
PROPS
Cian Healy and Tadhg Furlong are the acknowledged first picks and can therefore be rested. Dave Kilcoyne is ripping up trees this season and has earned his shot at loosehead while Andrew Porter would benefit from starting on the far side, particularly with Furlong’s involvement set to be carefully managed in Japan.
SECOND ROWS
James Ryan has nothing to prove against Italy whereas the fit-again Iain Henderson had plenty. With the Ulster man likely to be banned, Tadhg Beirne’s return to fitness is timely. Beirne may lack match fitness but is worth bringing straight back, especially given the lack of Ireland breakdown turnovers. Resting Ryan opens a slot for Ultan Dillane, man of the match for Connacht at the weekend. Some would see that as being harsh on Quinn Roux but, on form, his provincial colleague is markedly superior.
No8
Jack Conan was excellent in Scotland and, with CJ Stander unavailable, can build further on his growing international reputation by going up against Sergio Parisse. Jordi Murphy would offer decent cover for all back-row positions.
FLANKERS
Peter O’Mahony has a huge role to play down the line so he can afford to miss this one and Rhys Ruddock’s injury is badly timed as he would be the perfect stand-in. Dan Leavy is still battling his calf issues but Sean O’Brien would benefit from another run out in Rome and could be picked at No6 with the excellent Josh van der Flier restored to openside — the lineout would miss O’Mahony but Conan is decent out of touch and, against Italy, it is not a deal-breaker.