FRINGE MEN TAKE CENTRE STAGE ‘MURPHY HAS NEVER BEEN FAR FROM JOE SCHMIDT’S THOUGHTS’
For players with designs on the World Cup, today’s clash is no Roman holiday
IF ‘accuracy’ was the buzzword leading up to the Scotland game, than ‘abrasive’ is definitely in vogue around the Ireland camp this week. Joe Schmidt dropped the term into conversation multiple times during his pre-match address to the media on Friday.
Judging by the casualty list from Carton House in recent days, Ireland have not been lacking for intensity on the training paddock. Joey Carbery, Jack Conan and Jordan Larmour picked up injuries during a physical session on Wednesday. Interestingly, Schmidt – unprompted – alluded to the preparation in the build-up to the England game, again. He wondered if his squad were underdone heading into that opening round disaster in Dublin. Maybe they could have done with bashing each other up a bit? They will be battled-hardened for the Azzurri, there is no doubt about that.
Ireland have encountered little resistance from Italy under Schmidt’s watch and normal service should resume at the Stadio Olimpico this afternoon. A trip to Rome for a Six Nations weekend is a bucket list item for every Irish rugby fan. Whether it’s the view of the Alps on the flight over, or the culture and history of Rome, it is always memorable. To top it all off, Ireland – bar one aberration in 2013 – invariably beat the Italians out the gate. That solitary loss to the Azzurri in the 19 years of the championship ultimately cost Declan Kidney his job. There were mitigating circumstances that day. Ireland’s dressing room looked like a war zone before half-time with Peter O’Mahony – today’s captain – forced to shift to the wing as backs began dropping like flies. O’Mahony hates being reminded about that cameo and he alluded to that galling defeat again yesterday.
‘I remember doing media after that game,’ he recalled. ‘I got a shiver down my spine.’
It’s been plain sailing since Schmidt took over, however. There’s been six wins from six under his watch. The average winning margin has been 38 points. To borrow a line from The Godfather, Italy will need to ‘go to the mattresses’ to have any chance today.
Conor O’Shea’s men are on a run of 19 straight losses in the championship and that slump doesn’t look like ending any time soon. A monumental task became even harder when Sergio Parisse and Seb Negri pulled up with injuries. Parisse is showing his age, but he remains a talisman for his country while Negri is very much built in his skipper’s image. They will be missed.
Speaking of selections, the entire backline that started against the Scots last time out is retained en bloc for this assignment. Injuries to the aforementioned Carbery and Garry Ringrose – who is still managing a hamstring issue back at Leinster – made Schmidt’s selection meeting pretty straightforward. Robbie Henshaw needs a few more weeks to get back up to speed.
There are four changes to the pack. One of Schmidt’s most trusted lieutenants, Jordi Murphy is back at No8. A player that has been capped across the backrow, Murphy offers a different threat to the heavy-duty approach of a Jack Conan or a CJ Stander. Whereas Murphy has never been far from Schmidt thoughts, the same could not be said for Sean Cronin, Dave Kilcoyne and Ultan Dillane.
It’s quite staggering to think that Cronin is getting his first Six Nations start at the age of 32 and with 67 caps to his name. Even going back to his time as Leinster head coach, Schmidt has always had reservations about Cronin’s ability to make an impact from the first whistle. The Limerick man has always offered explosive pace and dynamism around the field. It’s the not so flashy tasks of line-out throwing and scrummaging that have worried Schmidt. No doubt, he will be keeping his forensic eye on the minutiae of Cronin’s efforts today.
It’s been quite the turnaround for Kilcoyne who looks to have usurped Jack McGrath in the loosehead pecking order. The Munster prop has slimmed down this season and has improved his discipline. It’s worth remembering that McGrath was first-choice for Ireland not so long ago and he made the flight to New Zealand with the Lions in 2017. There is a real battle ahead now for a seat on the plane to Japan.
Then there’s Dillane. The Connacht lock will need to seize his chance here. Quinn Roux’s stock is on the rise while Iain Henderson is back on the bench and ready to make up for lost time. That trio will be fully aware of Tadhg Beirne’s man-of-the-match display for Munster against the Ospreys on Friday night.
This entire squad will feel that way. The clock is ticking towards Japan. They must make every opportunity count.
1 Despite earning 67 caps for Ireland, today’s game will be Sean Cronin’s first start in the Six Nations