HE’S A JACK OF FRAWL TRADES

Ciaran is called on by Farrell to show his versatility now

CIARÁN FRAWLEY has started 14 of his 22 games this season, clocking up 1,040 minutes playing time.

Uncapped by Ireland, all of those games have been for Leinster, for whom he has only worn the No.10 shirt once, in Cape Town in late April against Stormers.

Frawley did not wear No.10 in any Leinster game last season; all eight of his starts were in the centre.

Seen in this light, Frawley’s selection at out-half ahead of Joey Carbery and Harry Byrne for Ireland against New Zealand Maori represents a remarkable leap of faith from Andy Farrell.

The Ireland coach doesn’t always believe what’s the norm at Leinster is what he wants with Ireland.

It was on his watch Jamison Gibson-park, now 30, has risen from Leinster reserve to one of Europe’s most highly-rated scrum-halves.

Similarly, there is the case of Hugo Keenan, identified by the Ireland coach at a point where he had started just 15 Leinster games, and only one of those a Heineken Cup experience.

Having put Keenan into the Ireland team, the Dubliner played the next 18 consecutive international games.

Moreover, there are also those who suspect Farrell is behind Andrew Porter’s switch from perennial reserve tighthead to starting loose-head.

The Blues had 12 players start against New Zealand in November 2021, posting a spectacular 29-20 win at the Aviva.

That’s a figure some think will move on to 13 for the first Test on Saturday should Farrell opt to go with Jimmy O’brien or Jordan Larmour ahead of Keith Earls for the right-wing berth.

All which leaves Frawley at the centre of another push and pull between Farrell and Leinster.

The possessor of a solid upright style, Frawley can launch long distance kicks capable of pinning back teams deep in their own territory.

Frawley is also a long-range place kicking option although it should be said in Carbery’s support he landed a long range penalty at a key moment against the All Blacks last November.

There is also a significant difference between Frawley and Carbery in height and weight.

The Leinster player, at 6ft 3in and 14st 5lbs, is three inches taller and a stone heavier than his Munster rival.

Truth is, Farrell likes his players to be big.