At the start of last season, Joey Carbery looked so good on his debut that we couldn’t help but get excited about what was to come.
On Saturday, in Wales, Jordan Larmour’s try-scoring senior debut [from 1:10 below] Â stirred that sensation again.
Ahead of the 2017/18 season, Ian Madigan tipped Larmour to make a name for himself with Leinster and, in doing so, put himself in the frame for Ireland. That sort of talk might have seemed fanciful a few years back but Ireland coach Joe Schmidt is looking to add depth to his selection choices and has handed out debuts to the likes of James Ryan, Andrew Porter, Jacob Stockdale, Josh van der Flier, Ultan Dillane and many, many more in recent times.
While Larmour may be hoping to follow in their footsteps, he would need to turn a lot of heads were he to get in the training squad for the November internationals. The back three is an area of the Irish team, though, were some fresh blood and fresh bodies would be welcomed.
Were Schmidt to go for an experienced trio against the likes of South Africa and Argentina, he could turn to the likes of Jared Payne, Keith Earls, Simon Zebo, Andrew Trimble or Rob Kearney. The middle of Ireland’s three games, against Fiji, may prove to be the match for the prospects to stake a claim.
To that end, it would be fantastic to see Andrew Conway get a chance, or two, in the 15 jersey.
Having impressed off the bench against England, back in March, Conway finished the season in good form for Munster and won two more caps [wing and fullback] against Japan. The Dubliner is assured as he is brave under the high ball and he possesses an explosive burst of speed.
What stalled Conway’s career at Leinster were injuries and the established stars he found hard to shift when only stringing two or three games together. He made the decision to head to Munster and has embraced the fresh start fully.
He razzed in a superb try in Munster’s opening PRO14 game, against Treviso, but it was his role in Alex Wootton’s try that was most exciting. Taking a box-kick from Treviso’s Tito Tebaldi at pace, Conway was under pressure from Edoardo Gori but barely paid him heed. All he was thinking about was the field opening up if he caught the ball cleanly.
He did.
Conway feinted to his right but knew Treviso were exposed down the left. With two men closing in on him, he realised the best course of action was either an offload or a quick recycle.
Three defenders were drawn in but a fighting Conway worked his body around and cleanly popped off a pass to Jean Kleyn in support. With that, the Italians did not have the numbers and Munster scored by keeping their heads.
Céard faoi seo mar scór iontach ón deireadh seachtain? @PRO14Official ar @TG4TV gach seachtain @MRSC16 @TheLooseH @Munsterrugby @patmccarry pic.twitter.com/69DQq0pWC0
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) September 5, 2017
In total, Conway had two clean breaks and left four Treviso players in his wake. Tiernan O’Halloran was electric at fullback for Ireland against the United States but had to settle for two sub appearances against Japan.
It is likely, with Garry Ringrose out and Robbie Henshaw doubtful, that Payne will feature in the Irish midfield for the home stand. There are plenty of viable candidates for the 15 jersey but Conway is going about his charge the right way.
Early days but an excellent start from some of Ireland’s young stars.
