Six Nations preview - Ireland
Ireland had a disappointing Six Nations last year by their lofty standards. They inflicted the only defeat of Eddie Jones’ England tenure on the final day of the championship, to rescue what had been a poor campaign.
Autumn has seen the Irish back on track, a record 38-3 win over South Africa was followed by victories over Fiji and Argentina. They will also take encouragement from the performances of their provinces in Europe, with both Leinster and Munster securing home quarter-finals in the Champions Cup, while Connacht did the same in the Challenge Cup.
They also go into the Six Nations with a relatively low injury count, however Sean O’Brien and Garry Ringrose’s absence from the early rounds are a big loss.
Strengths
The halfbacks – Conor Murray and Jonny Sexton form one of the world’s best halfback partnerships. Murray’s accurate box kicking game gives his chasers maximum opportunity to compete. The Munster scrum half’s sniping runs mean defences have to be alert too, which eases the focus on Sexton somewhat.
The lineout – The evergreen Rory Best’s throwing consistency means Ireland can set up one of their most potent attacking weapons – the rolling maul. Peter O’Mahoney’s selection in the backrow gives Ireland three viable lineout options to choose from too. Devin Toner, at a lofty 6’10”, is also adept at poaching opposition ball.
Weaknesses
With Jared Payne’s extended absence and Garry Ringrose out for at least the first two matches, who will partner Robbie Henshaw in the centre? Henshaw’s former Connacht teammate Bundee Aki is inexperienced at international level, as is the alternative option, Chris Farrell. Both made their debut’s in the Autumn and did no wrong, but teams may target Ireland in this area. New Zealand-born Aki’s is likely to get the nod.
Key Players
Jonathan Sexton: If Jonny Sexton plays well, Ireland play well. The Irish system of centrally contracted players has meant his game-time is carefully managed, allowing him to sit out Leinster recent Champions Cup pool game against Montpellier. The extra week’s rest means he should be fresh and firing for the Six Nations. He’s Ireland second-highest Six Nations points scorer with 313, only Ronan O’Gara is ahead of him.
CJ Stander: A key ball carrier for Munster and Ireland, he nearly always makes the gainline – Ireland can be over-reliant on him to do so, Sean O’Brien’s absence will only increase that. The South African-born backrow gets his fair share of tries too, he scored three in the Six Nations last season. Stander’s performances for Ireland have meant Jamie Heaslip’s lengthy injury layoff hasn’t left a big hole.
Tadgh Furlong: Flourished on the British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand, he has become a key cog in a strong Irish scrum. Comfortable in the loose too, with excellent ball handling skills. Recently signed a new central contract with the IRFU, which will take him up to June 2021.
New Talent
Jordan Larmour – Some fine performances for Leinster over the Christmas period, including a wonderful solo try against Munster at Thomand Park, led to a clamour for his inclusion into Ireland’s 36-man squad. He’s not there to make up the numbers either, expect appearances from the bench as his versatility allows him to cover the back three and at centre. Comfortable stepping off both feet, the 20-year-old will cause headaches for defences if a game opens up. The fact Joe Schmidt selected him ahead of the supremely talented Simon Zebo shows just how good he is.
Joey Carbery – He got a run at flyhalf for Ireland during the Autumn, starting against Fiji, but a broken wrist in that match meant an extended absence. He returned from the bench for Leinster away at Montpellier and is a player that Joe Schmidt rates and trusts. A long-term replacement for Jonny Sexton, but lacks game time in the flyhalf position because he’s often selected at full-back for his province. Fitness may see Ian Keatley preferred in the matchday squad against France, but expect the 22-year-old to feature after that.
Jack Conan – The Leinster academy keeps producing fine back rowers, Dan Leavy is another who has made big strides. Conan has yet to make a Six Nations appearance for Ireland, but played all three matches on last summer’s tour, scoring three tries, while he was also a try scorer against Fiji in the autumn.
Jacob Stockdale – The winger made his Ireland debut in the Autumn, scoring on his debut against South Africa and twice against Argentina in his second appearance. His form for Ulster has seen him score eight tries in 13 matches, including a neat finish against La Rochelle at Ravenhill.
Prediction
All coaches will say winning your first game is crucial. Ireland’s opener is an unknown entity, France under Jacques Brunel are surely to provide a stiffer resolve compared to what was seen in 2017, when the French only won three matches. Ireland lost 10-9 the last time they were in Paris, but success there and a trio of home games follow – against Italy, Wales and Scotland.
Ireland came unstuck in the away matches against Scotland and Wales last season and both are likely to be better sides in 2018, with Warren Gatland’s return from Lions duty and the progress being made under Gregor Townsend. Home form does carry a lot of weight in the Six Nations and should Ireland be able to navigate past that Celtic challenge, a Grand Slam decider against England at Twickenham on Saint Patrick’s Day would be on the horizon. Winning at Twickenham is a difficult task, Ireland’s label as second favourites seems appropriate.
Joe Schmidt won the Six Nations in his first two years in charge of Ireland, but a third-placed and second-placed finish have followed. Another title would move Ireland level with Scotland on 14 championships.
Comments on RugbyPass
Anna, You are right, we need to have patience whilst the others catch up to England and France. Also it is the PWR that has been the game changer for England. the RFU put money into that initially at the expense of the Red Roses. I was sceptical at first but it has paid off in spades.
1 Go to commentsI think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to commentsHavili, our best 12 by a mile, will be in the squad, if he stays fit. JB is the most overrated AB in the last 50 years.
61 Go to commentsWe had during the week twilight footy, twilight cricket, tw golf plus there was the athletics club. Then the weekend was rugby 15s plus the net ball, really busy club scene back then but so much has changed and rugby has suffered. And it was all about changing lifestyles.
6 Go to commentsIn the 70s and 80s my club ran 5 Senior sides plus a Vets. Now it is 2 sides with an occasional 3rd team. Players have difficulty getting to training now, not sure why and the commitment is not there. It seems to me more a problem of people applying themselves and not expecting to turn up and play whenever they want to.
6 Go to commentsROG’s contract is until 2027. The conversation about a successor to Galthie after RWC 2027 may be starting now. We can infer that Galthie’s reign stops then. He is throwing the Irish Coaching Job angle in because he is Irish. The next Irish coach MUST be Leo Cullen. As well as being the best coach available, coaching the vast majority of Irish Internationals week in week out, he has shown incredible skill at recruiting the best coaching staff for the job in hand. That was a failing in France. Cullen is a shrewd guy and if there is a need for foreign coaches underneath him he won’t hesitate. Rightly so. Ireland does need to start to bring Irish coaches through. Not just at the professional level but we need to train coaches to man new pathways for developing kids from schools/clubs up through the divisions.
8 Go to commentsNo 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
6 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.
8 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
11 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
61 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.
61 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.
8 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
61 Go to comments