In modern, professional rugby a true ‘bolter’ is few and far between.
Will Greenwood was a British & Irish Lions bolter back in 1997 as he lined out in the red jersey before winning an England cap. Two years later, Brian O’Driscoll was an Irish bolter at the World Cup as he had yet to represent Leinster in a competitive fixture.
In the professional era, the chances of an uncapped player making a Lions squad are slim. With that in mind, bolters now refer to players that may not be Test match regulars or lads that have only arrived on the international scene.
Joey Carbery would fall into that category but his chances of making the Lions squad, next Wednesday, are virtually non-existent. If there is to be an Irish bolter it is likely to come in the pack. Ronan O’Gara ansd Kevin McLaughlin put forward Irish outsiders in The Hard Yards [from 27:00 below] but only one looks to have a genuine chance.
https://soundcloud.com/thehardyardssportsjoe/episode-11-lions-special-our-starting-xv-the-irish-maybes-and-inside-gatlands-mind
Iain Henderson is 32 Tests deep into his Ireland career, and he started two Six Nations games, so calling him a bolter may be a stretch. He has been in and out of the Ireland starting XV but his versatility may yet stand to him. McLaughlin said:
“Maro Itoje is one thing that is working against him and that’s coaches liking to bring one lock slash six. But the only thing I’d say is the quality of those guys makes a strong argument for bringing them both.
“It’s not like he’s a lock who can do a job at six. He’s a lock who’s unbelievable at six and potentially even better. He’s the same as Itoje – an impact player – and they’re both good in an open game.
“I’d bring them both. Henderson is definitely the calibre of player needed to win a Test series down there.”
It was no surprise to see Sean Cronin receiving a bundle of praise after his latest barnstorming outings for Leinster. ‘The Nugget’ missed out on the Six Nations with a hamstring injury but is making a late, mazy charge into Lions contention.
That's why he will be the impact sub in each test vs NZ.. incredible feet and pace and power from Sean Cronin.
— Ronan O Gara (@RonanOGara10) April 8, 2017
O’Gara believes Cronin is exactly the type of player that is mobile, agile and brave enough to do some damage off the bench. He said:
“I think Sean Cronin offers something off the bench that no-one else in world rugby does and his capacity to bring an X-factor moment is huge.”
McLaughlin would love to see Cronin head off to New Zealand and admits that his selection would probably have to come at the cost of Rory Best, which is unlikely.
“The dynamism he brings off the bench, the dynamism he brings when he starts, again is something different,” he said. “He’s the type of guy that can change a game and a guy that we’re going to need on this tour.”
