The ideal time to mix it up and take look at options...
IRELAND set out on the next leg of their Grand Slam journey when they take on Italy in round two of the Six Nations in Dublin on Sunday, with the feel-good factor fully restored following the crushing World Cup disappointment a few months previously.
Italy is the optimal fixture to make it two wins from two this Championship, after that stellar 38-17 victory away to France on the opening night in Marseille.
There is an argument that Ireland should — and probably will — go into their home bout against The Azzurri unchanged. It would be harsh to drop anyone on the evidence of what happened in Marseille, such was the excellence of that performance.
But with bigger fish to fry and a need to build squad depth, this is the ideal time to make some changes.
However, not in the back three, where it makes sense to keep it as it is for now.
With Jimmy O’Brien sidelined and Simon Zebo overlooked, there is not a player with a clear case to come in for the ever-impressive Hugo Keenan at fullback.
The Leinster man made his mark in Test rugby in the equivalent fixture in 2020. Calvin Nash also made his Ireland debut in this match-up, albeit in the late summer of 2023 during a World Cup warm-up clash in Dublin.
His stock has only risen since his try-scoring Six Nations debut and he is worthy of another shot here. There is an argument to rest James Lowe, although Jacob Stockdale — defensively at least — remains a concern, despite finding some better form at club level.
And, given we have not seen enough of Jordan Larmour out left, Lowe gets the nod here with a two-week break due to follow.
How about midfield? It would be unnecessary to drop Robbie Henshaw after his excellent showing — especially with first-choice option Garry Ringrose set to return later in the competition. However, the brilliant Bundee Aki has earned a rest.
Ulster’s Stuart McCloskey has always shown up in his fleeting Irish performances and should do so again at inside centre, this game is made for his direct approach and underappreciated off-loading ability.
Jack Crowley has the chance continue to settle at out-half. However, it would make sense for Jamison Gibson-Park to step aside for a Munster teammate of Crowley’s, although not the more likely candidate. It is time for Craig Casey, not Conor Murray, to jump to second in the pecking order.
He is established as first-choice alongside Crowley at Munster, despite his dearth of opportunities at Test level.
Murray has shown himself to be a calm and controlled bench option, one who can see out a win on Sunday with Gibson-Park rested altogether.
The front-row should not be too weakened by a couple of worthwhile changes. Andrew Porter keeps his place at loosehead, but it is a good opportunity for clubmate Ronan Kelleher to return at hooker.
Connacht’s Finlay Bealham has boosted his stock in the last 18 months and should afford Tadhg Furlong some rest by coming in at tighthead prop.
There is a case for recent captaincy candidate James Ryan to be restored, but Joe McCarthy and Tadhg Beirne were sensational in southern France. We want that duo to continue to build their newfound chemistry. Ireland’s brilliant back-row would lead you to forget that we still have the relentlessly good Ryan Baird waiting in reserve.
Peter O’Mahony’s captaincy and resulting lockdown of blindside flanker has made things more difficult, but Baird must be afforded opportunities.
The big man can come in on the blindside, with O’Mahony shifting to openside at the expense of Josh van der Flier.
Meanwhile, Caelan Doris should continue his stranglehold on the No8 jersey despite the presence of both Jack Conan and Nick Timoney in reserve.
ROB O’HALLORAN’S IRELAND TEAM TO PLAY
ITALY: Hugo Keenan; Calvin Nash, Robbie Henshaw, Stuart McCloskey, James Lowe; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Andrew Porter, Ronan Kelleher, Finlay Bealham; Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne; Ryan Baird, Peter O’Mahony (capt), Caelan Doris.
REPS: Dan Sheehan, Cian Healy, Tadhg Furlong, James Ryan, Nick Timoney, Conor Murray, Ciaran Frawley, Bundee Aki.