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Late disruption for Ireland as Robbie Henshaw ruled out versus Boks

By Liam Heagney
(Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Andy Farrell’s best-laid plans ahead of Saturday’s Ireland match with the Springboks in Dublin have encountered a bump in the road with the withdrawal on Friday of Robbie Henshaw from the starting lineup.

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Henshaw had been named in the starting team on Thursday, getting chosen at No12 alongside Garry Ringrose who was included as one of the three changes from the win over the All Blacks in the previous Ireland match in July.

However, that midfield has since been reshuffled again as a hamstring injury has gotten the better of Henshaw and his place has now gone to Stuart McCloskey, who had been named as the 23rd man in the original team selection.

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The Ulster centre has won just six caps in his truncated international career since debuting alongside Henshaw against England in the Six Nations in February 2016. His last cap came in July 2021 against the USA in Dublin, although he travelled with Ireland to New Zealand in July this year and featured in the A team versus the Maori All Blacks.

The promotion of McCloskey into the starting lineup has resulted in the inclusion of the soon-to-be 26-year-old Leinster back Jimmy O’Brien among the replacements. Like McCloskey, he also featured for the A team against the Maoris in July but a run off the Aviva Stadium bench this Saturday would see him win a debut cap at Test level.

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An Ireland Rugby tweet read: “Robbie Henshaw has been unfortunately ruled out of tomorrow’s game through injury. Stuart McCloskey comes into the starting team, with Jimmy O’Brien named on the bench.”

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Trevor 5 minutes ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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B
Bull Shark 4 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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