The future is bright!
With Ireland’s summer fixtures against Georgia and Portugal confirmed, every week we’ll take a look at the players who stood out in the URC and Champions Cup, with a focus on the uncapped and what they can add to an aging international squad.
Scotty 2 Hotty
Ulster saved Ireland’s blushes at the weekend, when their late rally away to the Dragons gave them a 34-30 win, and avoided four URC losses for the provinces.
Key to their comeback was Scott Wilson, who recorded the rare feat of winning the Player of the Match award despite coming off the bench.
But it was fully justified, with his 70th minute solo, game-sealing try getting his side over the line.
In just 28 minutes, the 22-year-old tight head finished the game with 15 metres made, three defenders beaten, a turnover, and a try.
He was selected for last year’s Emerging Ireland tour but wasn’t given the game time that his form and experience for Ulster warranted.
But if he continues on this path and continues to push international and teammate Tom O’Toole, then an Ireland debut could be on the cards this summer.
He ticks two of the main boxes for what his country needs in the position, with solid scrummaging, while he clearly carries his weight well with his explosive carries.
Matador
Leinster travelled to the Highveld to take on the Bulls, and despite fielding a weakened side at altitude, they nearly upset the South Africans, before throwing the game away in the dying moments.
However, one of Irish rugby’s feel good stories continued on Saturday as Tommy O’Brien completed another 80 minutes.
It was third start in a row for the often-injured winger, and he is continuing to show why he has always been so highly rated despite his lack of game time throughout his career.
He has the doggedness often associated with Irish wingers, but has real pace as well; a trait that has been severely lacking in Ireland’s backline since the days of Keith Earls and Jacob Stockdale.
O’Brien’s highlight on the weekend was the heavy lifting he did for Jordie Barrett’s early try, and he had nice moments throughout, including some lovely link-up play with the aforementioned All Black.
Con men
Connacht and the Ospreys played out one of the great regular season games in Swansea.
The Irish province scored two early tries in the 43-40 thriller, before the home side piled on five in a 24-minute spell.
Connacht came back with scores in the 67th and 69th minutes, but the Welshmen hung on and managed not to concede as the visitors attacked deep in their 22 before the full-time whistle.
We have been hot on Hugh Gavin here at SportsJOE – who played well once more – but it was his centre partner who once again stuffed the stat sheet in another rounded display.
Inside centre Cathal Forde finished the game with 14 carries, 66 metres, seven defenders beaten, and two offloads; further cementing his status as a player who simply must tour with Ireland this summer.
The score above is all about Connacht’s shape and the guile of Forde, with academy winger Finn Treacy getting his second try in three games for his side.
This finish was relatively straight forward compared to his Louis Bielle-Biarrey impersonation against Benetton, which you can check out here.
Another man with real pace, Treacy showed it in flashes and also gave a glimpse of a cultured boot with what was surely the best 50:22 of the weekend across the URC.
Out of nowhere this season, Connacht have found themselves with the best scrum-half depth of any of the four provinces.
And on form, Ireland squad regular, Caolin Blade, is probably third choice behind Ben Murphy and Matthew Devine.
The rise of the latter two has been swift, and with Murphy injured, Devine took his opportunity off the bench and put in his best performance so far in green.
His passion for quick-tempo rugby and sniping is galvanising and infectious but his basics are up to scratch as well, with accurate passing and booming, box-kick clearances.
The final try from Shamus Hurley-Langton showcased an array of attacking qualities and the very best of this adventurous team.
Devine displays great agility to make the initial break, and crucially does not do what is seen all too often from Irish players by showing good vision to find Piers O’Conor, instead of ignoring the support and taking the tackle.
The 22-year-old No 9 is incredibly quick in making the next ruck after a mini break from O’Conor, and makes a good call by going right.
Gavin’s pump fake is subtle but vital and allows Hurley-Langton just enough time on the ball to step the last defender and touch down.
Super Quinn
Munster would have taken a losing bonus point ahead of their game away to second-place Glasgow, but came away disappointed having led by 11 points with just under 12 minutes remaining.
Unsurprisingly, Gavin Coombes was Munster’s best player, while Tom Ahern impressed once more. But of the younger generation, it was substitute Ruadhán Quinn who caught the eye.
Still only 21, the back rower made a couple of aggressive carries that gave a brief glimpse into what he could offer to Ireland.
Along with pace, the national team lacks size and power, and Quinn is massive for an openside flanker, possessing athletic gifts that the excellent Alex Kendellen and John Hodnett just do not have.
At nearly 18st and 6ft 3in, Quinn has alway been big for his position, but on the weekend it was clear that the strength and conditioning department at Munster have him levelled up.
