Byrne has it all to play for
A number of Ireland fringe candidates have it all to play for when they take the field for Pro14 action this weekend
IRELAND’S stuttering start to the Six Nations has raised certain issues that need to be addressed before they board the plane for Japan later this year.
And now is the time to do it with three competitive matches left before we hit official World Cup warm-up mode, which means just 240 minutes to properly test players in the type of international intensity they will experience this autumn.
Ireland coach Joe Schmidt noted after beating Scotland that the World Cup is now driving all their thinking, correctly observing they have enough Six Nations success logged in recent years, and with the title now a long shot, it is time to focus on the ‘big one’ at the end of the year.
On that basis, there will be players involved in this weekend’s Pro14 matches who will sniff an opportunity having watched Ireland experience difficulty in certain areas against England and Scotland. So what are those areas and who is looking to make an 11th-hour impression?
RIGHT WING
There was a fair amount of publicity when one of English rugby’s most prominent shock-jock journos referred to Keith Earls as a ‘stop-gap’ following the loss to England.
Given that the Limerick man had 73 caps and 27 tries to his name at that point (he now has 74 and 28), it was a particularly ill-judged slur.
However, while Earls is a Schmidt favourite and remains a top quality winger, the issue of his size — or relative lack of — has come to the fore in the last two outings.
Earls is 5ft10in and a little over 13 stone and at a time when teams are frequently opting for wingers with physiques ideally suited to the back-row (George North, Blair Kinghorn, Jacob Stockdale), it makes him a target.
The English went after Earls hard, first exposing him out wide for Jonny May’s early try and then battering him under a barrage of high balls to the point of forcing him off the park.
A week later and the Scots were at it, too — zeroing in on Ireland’s right wing as a key pressure point. Earls has plenty of credit in the bank but, if it is felt bigger options need to be assessed, then Adam Byrne is an ideal candidate. At 6f 3in and nearly 16 stone, the Leinster winger certainly possesses the size and also has the athleticism to make it count — as he has SPORTSFILE shown this season. Byrne has been around the Six Nations camp this year and knows what Schmidt is looking for — he would be an interesting selection for the Italian game and, if he is involved for Leinster’s trip to Zebre this weekend, it would be a good time to make an impression.
INSIDE CENTRE
Bundee Aki has done well for Ireland in the No12 jersey when Robbie Henshaw has been unavailable and produced a typically robust display in the win over Scotland at the weekend.
However, the Connacht man’s game revolves primarily around his aggression in attack and defence, and he is not renowned for his distribution or kicking skills.
The option of having a second playmaker at inside centre to ease the burden on Johnny Sexton or Joey Carbery at out-half is not a role Aki is equipped for and, with talk of Ireland needing more ‘variation’ in their attack, there are a couple of candidates to assess in this regard.
Connacht’s Tom Farrell possesses the passing and kicking skills required and is primed to make his debut against Italy, offering the versatility of being equally comfortable at 12 or 13.
However, the player best suited to a ‘second five-eighth’ role is Rory Scannell - his extensive experience as a 10 means the Munster man can easily slot in as first receiver or supply augmentary kicking and distribution services from 12.
Although not part of the initial Six Nations squad, Scannell is in good form for his province and, if he has a big game in Cork tomorrow night when Munster take on Southern Kings, it could push him into the reckoning.
FULL-BACK
The biggest selection takeaway from Murrayfield was the reaffirmation that Rob Kearney remains Ireland’s outstanding option at 15.
As well as providing customary security at the back, Kearney’s strong running was crucial to Ireland’s restorative victory and, fitness allowing, the veteran will be first-choice full-back through to the conclusion of the World Cup.
However, the issue of who slots in should Kearney be unavailable remains a live one.
Henshaw struggled when given his shot against England and might not be tried again, which could open the door for the likes of Will Addison and Andrew Conway.
Both players have been primarily used elsewhere this season but have proven their worth at full-back in the past. Addison’s ability to play centre, wing or at 15 make a strong case for inclusion in the 31 to travel to Japan but Conway has done extremely well under Schmidt, with two of his 10 caps coming at full-back.
Exceedingly brave under the high ball, Conway also has a decent boot and the electric running to take full advantage of the full-back’s extra time in possession.
A niggly calf injury has not helped his claims but he has been training with Munster this week and, though Mike Haley has been the go-to 15 this season, from an Ireland perspective it would be good to see Conway get his shot tomorrow night.