Nov 26,2024
There were many positives from Ireland's comfortable win against the ill-disciplined Fijians, mainly the comfort with which the Leinster duo of Gus McCarthy and Sam Prendergast took to their first starts in green.
Both players had errors throughout, such is life when playing against a less structured and highly physical team like Fiji. However, both dominated proceedings enough for all negative moments to fall into the background. The pool of Irish players ready for top level action has potentially increased by two.
Ireland will now take on Joe Schmidt's Australia, whose form was more accurately assessed against Scotland on Sunday afternoon. Although they are on an upward trajectory, there’s still scope for Ireland to give opportunities in their selection.
Tadhg Furlong is expected to return, and so he should, with Andrew Porter and Ronan Kelleher in the front row alongside him. However, if we’re going to get the full answer on whether Gus McCarthy should be involved at Six Nations level then I’d love if Andy Farrell stuck with him for another go.
Although Australia are only one place above Fiji in the rankings, they will be more structured, far more disciplined and their position in the world rankings is where top tier opposition begins. One game against Fiji won’t show us where McCarthy could be by the next Six Nations. One more involvement in this November series could really accelerate his growth.
If Ireland are to go full tilt against Australia, which is expected, then why not put a younger guy into a key position, with the greatest influences around him, just weakening that full selection a fraction. It’s still a team that should expect to beat Australia.
You’re taking a start away from Kelleher or Rob Herring and both will be desperate for another Irish cap. However, if you’re going to do that at any stage then this should be the time.
The back five of Ireland’s pack doesn't need to change too much. Peter O’Mahony will most likely retain a squad position, with Iain Henderson and O’Mahony or James Ryan dropping to the bench.
It looks to be another disappointing international window for Nick Timoney, despite his club form and ability. Maybe Farrell has one more surprise for him and is planning a bigger shake up than expected.
Ireland should be going with at least 80% of their full selection, therefore whoever is given a go will need to be prioritised and the other parts of the squad fall into place accordingly. If Timoney is to get an unlikely nod, then Ireland would be looking at a full-strength front row, and possibly a starting pack, with Timoney replacing Josh van der Flier, who has been in top form.
The pivotal position for Ireland is out-half. Expect Jack Crowley to be reinstated, and that’s most likely what I’d do if I was coaching. Yet, like the Gus McCarthy situation, you’d like to see Prendergast get another crack at the starting jersey to see just how seriously we need to be taking his performance from last week.
I’m not saying that he should be the first choice out-half. If there was a Six Nations game in the morning then Crowley would be the pick, and I don’t think you’d find much coherent counter-argument to that. However, if you want to make a real shootout for the 10 and 22 jerseys for next year’s Six Nations, backing up Prendergast’s first start with another could give real insight into where he is in relation to Crowley and Ciarán Frawley.
Last week I was firmly of the view that Frawley should have been given a shot at redemption. But seeing Prendergast in the test arena has been exciting, and if you backed him last week then I’d like to see him backed either to start or to play from the bench this weekend.
Robbie Henshaw’s effectiveness was in full view at the weekend. He needs more minutes and has fully deserved them. The question is whether we’ll see the rotation and a Henshaw-Garry Ringrose partnership or will Farrell stick with the effectiveness of last weekend’s centre pairing with Ringrose picking up the versatile number 23 jersey on the Irish bench.
Henshaw had a big impact at 13 for Ireland last weekend. Shifting him in one position might take that effect from him. One thing is for sure, I wouldn’t like to be Farrell trying to pick his two centres if it was a Six Nations week. Three starters into two positions will never go, and that’s the conundrum that Ireland have.
I’d have stuck with Jamie Osborne at full-back if he was fit, but that looks very unlikely now. Again, Hugo Keenan still has rights to that jersey, but Osborne has been impressive for Ireland regardless of the number on his back.
He’s the type of player that should be prioritised first, and the rest of the positions could be selected with that in mind. He’s soaking in every opportunity he’s been afforded up to now and you’d love to see that being harnessed. However, it looks like he’ll miss the game and is therefore not in this conversation.
Jacob Stockdale’s injury should see him swap directly with James Lowe, which could free up another opportunity on the right wing for Calvin Nash without wholesale changes.
Jamison Gibson-Park will also be reinstated. I’m assuming he’ll be selected again based on how good Ireland are with him. However, if you are starting Crowley, which is expected, there’d be a fair argument for bringing his provincial team-mate into the equation to further his development. Craig Casey has been brilliant whenever he gets an opportunity and would deliver once again.
There are a few positions where we know who the starter is, Gibson-Park is clearly one of those. Would Farrell be comfortable in rotating that position to prioritise the development or strengthening of his competition?
We can all pick a team that we’d like to see take to the field this weekend. What we don’t know is where management priorities lie, and why one fringe player might get a shot when another position will go the first choice candidate.
This is the last development opportunity for Farrell (and his stand-in Simon Easterby) ahead of the Six Nations before players are released back to their clubs for URC and European action.
