SPRINGBOKS CHALLENGE IS FOCUSING IRISH MINDS
The world champions arrive in Dublin in less than five weeks and URC has given Farrell plenty to ponder as he puts together a squad that can keep the positive run going
I‘In two years
he guided the Boks to World
Cup success’
T’S NOW less than five weeks until the Springboks rock up at Aviva Stadium. Ireland head coach Andy Farrell is busy formulating a squad that he hopes can keep the good times going with a victory against the reigning world champions in Dublin.
Beating South Africa in November would be yet another psychological boost ahead of next year’s World Cup, another injection of confidence after their historic feats in New Zealand last summer.
There is also the small matter of that pivotal pool encounter in Paris next September.
Simply put, there is a lot at stake next month.
The visitors will be fully loaded for the visit to the capital, and they have plenty of unfinished business at Ireland HQ.
The memory of the 38-3 drubbing they suffered at the hands of Joe Schmidt’s Ireland remains vivid. It was a result that prompted the SOS call to Rassie Erasmus at Munster. Within two years, he had turned the ship around and guided his country to World Cup glory in Japan.
Jacques Nienaber is running the show these days, with Erasmus moving upstairs into a more hands-off role with the Springboks. But you never know with Rassie, do you? One thing is certain, the Boks will be a totally different proposition when they land on these shores next month.
As always, they will bring a heavyweight pack and no shortage of firepower in their outside backs, with Damian de Allende and Makazole Mapimpi – to name but a few.
They have unearthed a few more gems in Jaden Hendrikse, Canan Moodie and Damian Willemse. Lukhanyo Am, arguably the best centre in the world, has been ruled out of the tour with a knee injury, while Handre Pollard is a major injury doubt as well. Cheslin Kolbe is also touch and go as the star wing recovers from a broken jaw sustained against Wales in the summer.
The real test will be up front, however. Farrell and forward coach Paul O’Connell know exactly what is coming down the line. It will be a whole new challenge to what the All Blacks offered.
So, the Ireland boss needs his best forwards fit and firing.
It’s still early days in this URC campaign, but Farrell will be hoping to see a few more of his frontline forwards getting up to speed in the looming rounds.
He will have been heartened by the recent form of Dan Sheehan. The Leinster hooker burst onto the scene in 2021, but the 24-yearold is now looking like a proper international customer.
Sheehan’s dynamism and power set him apart, but he doesn’t look raw any more. After his exploits in New Zealand, he looks nailed-on to start against the Boks. Ronan Kelleher needs a big few weeks to usurp his provincial team-mate.
Andrew Porter should be well up to speed by then as well, while Tadhg Furlong should be making his seasonal bow in the coming weeks. After impressing on tour, the likes of Finlay Bealham, Tom
O’Toole and Jeremy Loughman should be providing back-up.
James Ryan returned to action from the bench in Belfast, while Tadhg Beirne did well to impress as Munster laboured to a win agains Zebre in Cork. The pair worked brilliantly as a second-row combination against the All Blacks and are set to continue that partnership next month.
Iain Henderson is targeting a return from a knee injury in the coming weeks and could force his way in, while his Ulster team-mate Kieran Treadwell made a big impression on the Ireland management during the summer.
No doubt, Farrell is keeping tabs on Joe McCarthy and Tom Ahern, who are catching the eye in Bloemfontein with the Emerging Ireland squad.
Peter O’Mahony, despite Munster’s early-season woes, is still looking sharp, while Leinster should be providing no shortage of backrowers for Ireland duty as usual.
After two years of injury setbacks, Will Connors could force his way back into contention. Farrell has always rated Leinster’s chop-tackling openside.
The 26-year-old won nine caps on Farrell’s watch before his promising career hit a roadblock of injuries in the middle of last year. Ulster’s Nick Timoney should be in the mix.
At scrum-half, Jamison Gibson-Park is yet to appear this season, while Conor Murray is easing into things. There is plenty to like about Craig Casey’s high-tempo game and, of course, there is always the John Cooney conundrum.
The feeling remains that Nathan Doak will return from the Emerging Ireland tour with his reputation greatly enhanced, with a view to fasttracking him into the senior setup in November.
The out-half situation is a bit more hazy, as usual. Johnny Sexton is already pencilled in to wear the No10 shirt on November 5. Joey Carbery will be named in the squad, but the Munster out-half still looks out of sorts. Jack Carty is injured, while Harry Byrne has yet to impose himself at his province. Farrell will be praying that Ciaran Frawley’s shoulder injury clears up soon. Perhaps Ben Healy or Jack Crowley might get a late call?
Depth is no issue in midfield, despite some high-profile absentees. Bundee Aki is serving a ban until late November, Ulster’s rising star James Hume is still out of action with a groin injury, while Chris Farrell is not in contention due to his involvement in a legal case in France.
Farrell still has Robbie Henshaw, Garry Ringrose and Stuart McCloskey to choose from. A rejuvenated Luke Marshall and the Connacht pair of Tom Daly and Tom Farrell are solid options as well.
Farrell will be hopping to see Hugo Keenan and James Lowe back on the scene as they continue to recover from injuries, while Mack Hansen has endured a tough few weeks with a struggling Connacht side.
Andrew Conway remains sidelined, while Keith Earls has recently pulled up with a hamstring injury.
November could be a big month for Robert Baloucoune and Mike Lowry, couldn’t it?
‘The out-half
situation is a little bit more
hazy, as usual’