SIX NATIONS HAS CLOUDED SCHMIDTƁS JAPAN PICTURE

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THE dust has now settled on Ireland’s damaging Six Nations campaign and the clean-up begins with the provinces this weekend. For the coaching staff, there is room now to review the action and digest the performances. Everything will be fed into Joe Schmidt’s computer as he processes the data and works his way towards finalising his 31-man squad for the World Cup.

He has until September 8 to submit his list of names to World Rugby.

In 2015, Schmidt selected 17 forwards and 14 backs. Eight of those spots went to front-rows, with three hookers and five props. Tadhg Furlong was tasked with covering both sides of the scrum. That left room for four second-rows and five back-rows.

The big panel of forwards left things tight behind the scrum where the decision to pick Darren Cave over Andrew Trimble raised most eyebrows. Ian Madigan covered scrum-half which allowed Schmidt to bring five half-backs, four centres and six outside backs.

That experience was an instructive one. He may not necessarily go for the same balance and has been trying to build depth and versatility where possible.

The distance of travel from Ireland to Japan will form part of the decision-making and may lead to him bringing more cover for certain positions.

He wanted the Six Nations to cement a few more places in his squad, but instead the defeats to England and Wales and strangely under-par performances elsewhere have undermined faith in some players.

So, there is much for him to consider.

THE BACK THREE

The first choice back three of Rob Kearney, Keith Earls and Jacob Stockdale appears to be set in stone, while Jordan Larmour’s presence as a bench option is secure.

Much will depend on what Schmidt wants from his cover. Robbie Henshaw may get another chance to show he can come in for Kearney, while Andrew Conway was again affected by a badly-timed injury.

Will Addison missed the Six Nations altogether and lost World Cup momentum as a result, while Adam Byrne was in camp throughout but didn’t get a look-in.

Joey Carbery did slip into full-back against England, but he’s almost exclusively being considered at No 10. Schmidt wants Kearney to improve his play-making skills to contribute in the way Jared Payne did before retiring, but it is late in the Louthman’s career for him to start spraying passes around. Perhaps the answer lies in Paris.

For all that Simon Zebo’s loose social media activity won’t have done him any favours, he is too talented to ignore.

The timing would allow Schmidt full access to the Corkman who would greatly benefit from Jason Cowman’s strength and conditioning regime and, if they can whip him into shape, he has all the tools required to add another layer to Ireland’s attack.

THE MIDFIELD

Bundee Aki has been the one constant in Ireland’s midfield. Alongside him will be Garry Ringrose and Henshaw. Chris Farrell started against Scotland and Italy but couldn’t impose himself on those games, while Connacht’s Tom Farrell was in the squad throughout but didn’t get a look-in despite his superb provincial form.

A strong finish to the season from Chris Farrell can keep him in Schmidt’s thoughts, while Addison is another contender whose versatility and speed will greatly interest Schmidt. He can offer creativity from centre or full-back.

Cave was the surprise package four years ago and this is one position where the coach may look to compromise for greater depth elsewhere.

HALFēBACK

Johnny Sexton and Conor Murray remain the pre-eminent pairing despite their worrying form. World-class players, they have time now to rebuild their confidence and finish the provincial season on a high. The question for Schmidt is who joins them in Japan.

Joey Carbery is a cert and his history of playing scrum-half could play a part in the coach’s selections elsewhere.

In 2015, he brought three out-halves and two scrum-halves and Jack Carty has put himself in with a shout. His ability to come on and affect the game was impressive in Cardiff. Ross Byrne has work to do.

John Cooney’s ability to cover both No’s 9 and 10 is another factor. The Ulster star covered Murray for the first four games and did well, while Kieran Marmion appears to remain the de facto back-up. Luke McGrath might have something to say about that and Jamison Gibson-Park could come into the equation.

FRONTēROW

A large contingent of large men will make their way to Japan, but if Schmidt limits his numbers to eight there will be some fierce competition.

Take it as read that Rory Best will lead the squad, with Cian Healy and Tadhg Furlong alongside him.

The two spots for alternative hookers will be contested by Seán Cronin, Niall Scannell and Rob Herring who replaced the dropped Cronin in the squad but didn’t feature. Scannell looks to be ahead and has a big opportunity to impress for Munster, while Cronin is in the same boat for Leinster. Herring is Best’s back-up at Ulster. Whether that matters in the autumn, we just don’t know.

What we do know is that Jack McGrath has a major job on his hands to recover his place.

John Ryan, Finlay Bealham and Andrew Porter are all converted looseheads, so it looks more likely that Schmidt will take three tightheads and two No 1s and, with Dave Kilcoyne flying after impressing on every outing this spring, the Leinster prop needs to impress.

His opportunities will be limited at Leinster where Ed Byrne has edged ahead of him in certain games.

Ulster’s Eric O’Sullivan is waiting in the wings as a potential bolter.

ENGINE ROOM

Injury forced Schmidt to use six second-rows during this tournament and it appears likely that two of those will miss out on selection.

Devin Toner’s stock has risen once again in his absence, while James Ryan was Ireland’s player of the tournament. Iain Henderson was excellent when fit.

So, it looks like that trio plus one with Quinn Roux, Ultan Dillane and Tadhg Beirne in the frame. Add in Jean Kleyn, who will qualify to play for Ireland in September, and there’s another option.

All three offer different things, but with Ryan and Henderson offering dynamism there is potential that he will plump for Roux’s size and set-piece prowess over the more exciting rivals. Kleyn is playing catch-up.

Still, Beirne’s breakdown offering and potential coverage at blindside must be appealing to the coach, while Dillane did well when called upon.

THE BACKēROW

The loose forwards had a difficult time in this Six Nations and a number of big names have work to do.

Seán O’Brien’s move to London Irish is timed so he can have a swansong in Japan, but he is playing catch-up after a disappointing campaign.

Dan Leavy is certain to come back if he can prove his fitness and Josh van der Flier and Jordi Murphy are trusted by Schmidt. It is hard to see him bringing three opensides, although Leavy, O’Brien and Murphy can shift positions.

Peter O’Mahony and CJ Stander are guaranteed their place, while Rhys Ruddock and Jack Conan can bring something different to the equation if they can impress for Leinster.