There is a strong counter-argument that the way to beat South Africa is through a high-paced attacking game that stretches their fearsome defence.Īnd that would suit Crowley down to the ground. That, though, would be to abandon the approach that has brought Ireland to No1 in the world. There is a feeling that Ireland will eventually have to go down that route, too, that World Cups are won not through poetry but prose. 4 February 2023 Jack Crowley of Ireland looks on as teammate Ross Byrne prepares to kick a conversion during the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Wales and Ireland at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. Byrne’s solidity and established ability to control a game is recognised, with Mike Catt a confirmed admirer, and one of the most important features of the opening weekend was the pragmatism shown by France and South Africa in shutting down their games through sound management. That was at a time when he was only finding his way off a career plateau in Munster, and since then he has progressed so quickly that he is on the verge of dislodging Ross Byrne as Johnny Sexton’s understudy.ĭeciding which of Crowley and Byrne starts on Saturday is one of the more intriguing calls Farrell will reveal today. He is a bright and willing student, and that’s reflected in how far he has come since making his debut against Fiji last November. Pic: INPHO/James Crombie Jack CrowleyĪs well as his technical ability, Crowley impresses around the national camp with how quickly he learns. 2023 Guinness Six Nations Championship Round 5, Aviva Stadium, Dublin If, as expected, Tadhg Beirne is in the back row against South Africa, that could mean Peter O’Mahony switching to the bench.īut that replacement spot could be available to Baird, and a consistent showing against the physical resistance Tonga provide would at least force Farrell and Paul O’Connell into a difficult decision. Pic: Massimo Insabato/Archivio Massimo Insabato/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Imagesīaird simply doesn’t pack that kind of punch, but if he gets time on the pitch in Nantes, he can still audition in hope. Ryan Baird during the six nations Rugby Italy-Ireland tournament match at the Stadio Olimpico. McCarthy provides a weighty package ideally suited to playing the Springboks, guaranteeing heft in defence and attack and, crucially, at scrum-time, too. When the competition actually starts, though, coaches react to specific events, not theoretical strengths, and the factor influencing Irish forward selection now is size. His ability to cover lock and back-row makes for a highly attractive package when a coach is picking a tournament squad. 26 August 2023 Ryan Baird of Ireland is tackled by Jonathan Taumateine of Samoa during the Rugby World Cup warm-up match between Ireland and Samoa at Parc des Sports Jean Dauger in Bayonne, France. Now it’s Joe McCarthy, and the rapid progress he has made has had consequences for Baird’s World Cup ambitions.īaird is a terrific player, an athlete blessed with skills and speed and highly valued by the national coaches. Time was when Baird was the dazzling young Leinster forward, the latest product of a ceaseless assembly line arriving Test-ready in his early 20s. Ireland's Ronan Kelleher with Louis Rees-Zammit of Wales. 2022 Guinness Six Nations Championship Round 1, Aviva Stadium, Dublin This would be the perfect time to jump-start it. Kelleher is more powerful, more dynamic and more skilful, but his tendency to get injured has stalled his career. Herring is a solid, highly effective option for Farrell: his line-out throwing is good, he’s competitive at the breakdown and he can survive the high skill demands made of all Irish players. His absences paved the way for Dan Sheehan, now one of the best in the position in the world, but Kelleher is now in competition with Rob Herring to understudy Sheehan, presuming the latter is fit to face South Africa in Paris. 2022 Guinness Six Nations Championship Round 2, Stade de France, Paris, France That had been his first Test match in a year, while he played no part in last month’s warm-up matches for the World Cup with a hamstring injury. His championship started brightly when coming off the bench to super effect in the win against France in Dublin.

He hurt his shoulder in that Scottish victory, and so played no part in the Grand Slam decider against England. Injury has haunted the career of a gifted player. Thirty minutes against Romania were Ronan Kelleher’s first Test exposure since the Six Nations win against Scotland at Murrayfield, at the start of March. Ireland head coach Andy Farrell speaks to the media before the game.

Significant changes from the match-day squad that routed Romania are inevitable, and here are some of the players who will be desperate to get their chance to impress in Nantes – because after this weekend, the rotation ends.

Pic of eddie munster