Nov 28,2024
Bernard Jackman says Ireland must proceed with caution against Joe Schmidt's Australia on Saturday afternoon.
Andy Farrell’s side complete their Autumn Nations Series programme against the Wallabies this weekend, looking for their third win from four games, having recovered from their defeat against New Zealand to secure wins against Argentina and Fiji.
The Wallabies, coached by former Ireland boss Schmidt come into the game off the back of a sluggish 27-13 defeat to Scotland on Sunday, but had previously impressed in their earlier November victories in England and Wales.
In 2022, the Wallabies were in poor form when they came to Ireland and gave Farrell’s side a real scare, with a late Ross Byrne penalty securing a 13-10 win for Ireland.
And Jackman expects the tourists to pose a similar threat at the Aviva on Saturday.
"Some of the stuff they put together against Scotland was quite decent. [Joseph] Suaalii going off early took a little bit from their attack, they didn't get the scrum dominance that they might have deserved, it’s much improved.
"I think this is a proper test for us, because their breakdown work is good, they’re nice and athletic, they're good in the air which didn't become a factor [for Ireland] against Fiji, but wasn't great against Argentina or the All Blacks.
"There’s plenty of things to ponder on, and makes this game fascinating in different ways."
Saturday will be Farrell’s last game with Ireland before he temporarily leaves the role to focus on the British and Irish Lions next year, during which time Simon Easterby will lead the side.
"This will be the last opportunity for players to leave a memory or give an opinion to Simon and Farrell for the Six Nations, and for some of the players, the Lions tour.
"He [Farrell] won't be directly involved for the Six Nations. They’ll want to go out on a high," Jackman added.
Farrell will name his matchday squad on Thursday afternoon, with the Ireland coach expected to revert to starting pack which began the opening games agaisnt New Zealand and Argentina, with James Ryan and Joe McCarthy in the second row, and Tadhg Beirne, Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris across the back row.
And while Jackman believes that’s the way Farrell will pick his side this weekend, the former Ireland international says he would prefer to see Cormac Izuchukwu given another shot in the Irish back row, after his debut versus Fiji last week.
"I’d prefer Beirne as a lock, to be honest. I wouldn't be against Izuchukwu (above) getting another run there.
"I think Tadhg [Beirne] is a world class second row, but I think he will go back to McCarthy, Ryan [in the second row] and Beirne, Van der Flier and Doris [in the back row]. Peter [O’Mahony] on the bench probably.
"I wouldn't be against Izuchukwu getting another go, just having a look at him. I think it should be a team to win, but I think he can help us win as well," he added.
Former Munster and Leicester wing Johne Murphy joined Jackman on the podcast, and agreed that Izuchukwu could add an extra element to Ireland’s attack.
"He [Izuchukwu] gives a bit of x-factor in that six position, in those wider channels. He’s of the same mould as [Ryan] Baird, and it was probably something they were missing against New Zealand in the 10 or 15 minutes after half time," Murphy said.
"Not that Tadhg [Beirne] is not dynamic in wider channels, I just think he [Izuchukwu] has a skillset that is very similar to Baird, and he just gives you pace and power in those wider channels and finishing ability for a big guy.
"I’d love to see him at six, given a go. I don't think it would happen, but I would love to see it."
