Six Nations 2017 Preview: Ireland Aren't Changing What Isn't Broken
As the countdown to the 2017 Six Nations continues, James Harrington surveys Joe Schmidt’s squad and rues the omission of some form players.
What to look out for
It’s pretty much ‘as you were’ for Ireland, after Joe Schmidt announced by email a well-worn squad with little new for anyone to get particularly excited about. There’s nothing wrong with that – why tinker too much with a formula that worked against Australia, South Africa and New Zealand in 2016? But a number of in-form players, notably Leinster wings Adam Byrne and Rory O’Loughlin, can maybe consider themselves unfortunate to have missed out.
Strengths
That powerful and mobile back row of CJ Stander, Sean O’Brien and Jamie Heaslip – with Van der Flier on the bench is pretty damn impressive. Scarily, Ireland also have not-quite-fit Munster captain Peter O’Mahony, who was fire-and-brimstone brilliant off the bench against Australia, and Jack Conan to keep the trio honest. Then, there’s the midfield partnership of Garry Ringrose and Robbie Henshaw, who have transferred club form to Test level. Who needs project player Jared Payne?
Weakness
Ironically, a player who should be considered a strength: Johnny Sexton has played barely two hours of rugby since injuring his hamstring in the second Test against New Zealand on November 19, but was still named in Ireland’s Six Nations’ squad, such is his importance to the team. Then, he limped off midway through the first half of Leinster’s final European Champions Cup pool match after feeling a niggle. After saying that Sexton had resumed full training this week, Ireland revealed on Tuesday that he has been ruled out of the opening match against Scotland. Schmidt had only named Paddy Jackson as understudy, but Ian Keatley was expected to join up with the squad at short notice.
[rugbypass-ad-banner id=”1485479950″]
The Man in Charge
In October 2016, Joe Schmidt signed a contract extension to stay on as Ireland coach until after the 2019 World Cup in Japan. After that, he may think it’s time to move on – but such questions are two-and-a-half years away. In rugby terms at least, everything is all kinds of settled in Dublin – and that’s got to be good for the Irish.
Player to Watch
Niall Scannell. With Leinster’s Sean Cronin injured, the job of Rory Best’s understudy should go to the Munster man – who has been in rare form in the Pro12 and the European Champions Cup – rather than Cronin’s Leinster compatriot James Tracy. Scannell is strong in the scrum, a better lineout performer than Tracy and has the pace to be more than useful in the loose. The 34-year-old Best is entering the twilight of an impressive international career. Scannell, 10 years his junior, could be the player to fill his boots, despite the arrival from New Zealand of Rhys Marshall last October.
Big Match
Saint Patrick’s Day weekend. Ireland v England in Dublin. The final match of the final round of the 2017 Six Nations. Both sides potentially coming into the game unbeaten. Everything to play for including, for Eddie Jones’s men, bettering New Zealand’s winning streak. Tournament rugby wouldn’t get much better than that.
Prediction
Second. The media have handed Ireland the job of England’s Grand Slam killers-in-chief – and they have been installed as favourites in some quarters. But there’s the small matter of the penultimate weekend’s trip to Cardiff to consider first. And the trip to Italy before that – not to mention the opening day journey to Edinburgh, to face Scotland. Three away matches followed by a final-day encounter with England does not make for an easy Six Nations for Joe Schmidt’s men.
Squad
Forwards: Finlay Bealham, Rory Best, Jack Conan, Ultan Dillane, Tadhg Furlong, Cian Healy, Jamie Heaslip, Iain Henderson, Billy Holland, Dave Kilcoyne, Dan Leavy, Jack McGrath, Sean O’Brien, Tommy O’Donnell, Peter O’Mahony, Donnacha Ryan, John Ryan, Niall Scannell, CJ Stander, Devin Toner, James Tracy, Josh van der Flier.
Backs: Tommy Bowe, Andrew Conway, Keith Earls, Craig Gilroy, Robbie Henshaw, Paddy Jackson, Rob Kearney, Kieran Marmion, Luke Marshall, Stuart McCloskey, Luke McGrath, Conor Murray, Tiernan O’Halloran, Garry Ringrose, Rory Scannell, Jonathan Sexton, Andrew Trimble, Simon Zebo
Comments on RugbyPass
No Islam says it must rule where it stands Thus it is to be deleted from this planet Earth
18 Go to commentsThis team probably does not beat the ABs sadly Not sure if BPA will be available given his signing for Force but has to enter consideration. Very strong possibility of getting schooled by the AB props. Advantage AB. Rodda/Skelton would be a tasty locking combination - would love to see how they get on. Advantage Wallabies. Backrow a risk of getting out hustled and outmuscled by ABs. Will be interesting to see if the Blues feast on the Reds this weekend the way they did the Brumbies we are in big trouble at the breakdown. Great energy, running and defence but goalkicking/general kicking/passing quality in the halves bothers me enormously. SA may have won the World Cup for a lot of the tournament without a recognised goalkicker but Pollard in the final made a difference IMO. Injuries and retirements leave AB stocks a bit lighter but still stronger. 12 and 13 ABs shade it (Barret > Paisami, Ione = Ikitau, arguably) Interesting clash of styles on the wings - Corey Toole running around Caleb Clark and Caleb running over the top of Toole. Reece vs Koro probably the reverse. Pretty even IMO. 15s Kelleway = Love See advantage to ABs man for man, but we are not obviously getting slaughtered anywhere which makes a nice change. Think talent wise we are pretty even and if our cohesion and teamwork is better than the ABs then its just about doable.
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
3 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
55 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
5 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
11 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
54 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
11 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
54 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
5 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
54 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
55 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
54 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
54 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
18 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
18 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
54 Go to comments