BATTLING FOR LIONS DEN
Damaging 2019 means stars will have work to do to impress Gatland when rugby returns
Damaging 2019 means Ireland’s rugby stars will have work to do to impress Warren Gatland when rugby returns
ALLOW yourself to escape for a moment and imagine a world where large crowds can congregate to watch elite sports people at the peak of their powers. Picture FNB Stadium, the 94,736-capacity stadium that hosted the 2010 World Cup final which, next summer we hope, will form the backdrop for the Lions’ first Test against the world champion Springboks.
Beer in hand, sun on back, you gaze down on to the pitch as the teams emerge. How many Irish players do you see?
Let’s get the caveats out of the way. Already, there is talk of the Lions tour shifting dates to accommodate the re-arrangement of fixtures.
Also, there’s every chance the games could be played behind closed doors or may not even go ahead at all. Such is the unpredictability of the situation we are in. But, if public health policy allows it, the Lions are scheduled to arrive in South Africa at the end of June next year and face The Stormers in Cape Town on July 3.
If things go to the current plan, around this time next year Warren Gatland will appear at a London hotel and name the squad of players he intends to bring with him on his fourth successive tour, his third as head coach.
Measure
On the back of a damaging 2019 campaign, there is a lot of work to do for Andy Farrell’s charges if they want to convince Warren Gatland of their place on the plane and, more importantly, on the Test team.
They are up against English players who have had their measure consistently for more than a year now and reached a World Cup final and Welshmen who made it to the semi-final. Throw in the Scots and the competition for places is set to be fierce.
Of the 11 Irishmen who went to New Zealand, only Tadhg Furlong is certain of his place as it stands. Others like Garry Ringrose, James Ryan and Jordan Larmour are firmly in squad contention.
However, as they work out in their back gardens and begin to imagine playing again, the Irish players will be eyeing spots in the Test team.
There is a lot of work to do whenever they get back on the pitch.
BACKTHREE
Tommy Bowe was Ireland’s last starting back three player in 2013 and, while Jacob Stockdale ticks a lot of boxes, his drop in form in 2019 leaves him with a lot of making up to do.
Gatland name-checked Larmour when asked about Irish newcomers last year and the fleet-footed Leinster starlet fits the profile.
He’ll be up against Scotland captain Stuart Hogg and Wales’ Liam Williams for a full-back shirt.
Larmour can also be deployed on the wing, but Elliot Daly’s long-range kicking will be an essential asset with two Tests at altitude.
Anthony Watson is a superb player, Jonny May brings out and out gas and Gatland is a big fan of Jack Nowell. Wales’ Josh Adams was the top try scorer at last year’s World Cup.
Andrew Conway can force his way into the conversation, while Keith Earls looks a long shot.
Best bet: Jordan Larmour
Probable starters: Liam Williams; Anthony Watson, Josh Adams
CENTRES
From a Test selection point of view, much will depend on how Gatland sees Owen Farrell’s role.
If he lines out at inside centre as he did in 2017, then you will have Manu
Tuilagi, Jonathan Davies and Garry Ringrose vying for the one jersey.
If Farrell is deployed at out-half, then there is scope to include a combination of those three, while Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw will come into the mix as potential No 12s.
Henry Slade is another classy operator who will push for a spot if he can force his way in with England.
Ringrose looks one of Ireland’s best hopes for a starting Test spot, while Aki and Henshaw can both operate at this level.
However, Farrell and Davies were the starters in New Zealand, while Tuilagi has to start if fit.
Best bet: Garry Ringrose
Probable starters: Manu Tuilagi and Jonathan Davies
HALF-BACKS
Ireland captain Johnny Sexton has targeted this tour having started five of the last six Lions Tests in the No 10