“I think Ireland have a great chance.”
We are days out from the start of the 2022 Six Nations and five teams have designs on silverware, including an in-form Ireland team. The Italians will be hoping to get a win of any reckoning but the other sides know a win on the opening weekend gives them a chance.
Defending champions Wales head to Dublin to take on Ireland, France face Italy and England have a Calcutta Cup encounter with Scotland, at Murrayfield.
Ireland’s lack of serious fitness issues, the form of the provinces and the Test team’s winning run [eight games and counting] mean Andy Farrell has a settled side for the championship. In truth, only five jerseys are properly up for grabs.
On the latest House of Rugby URC episode [LISTEN from 55:35 below] Leinster and Ireland scrumhalf Luke McGrath joined hosts Greg O’Shea, Megan Williams and Jason Hennessy to have a crack at selecting an Ireland 15.
Robbie Henshaw and one from two class operators
Luke McGrath fancies Ireland’s chances, if they can get over the Welsh in their opener. He points to their excellent form in the November internationals, and the many players that are performing well as we head into the championship.
“I don’t think a Grand Slam is going to be won, but Ireland do have a good chance of winning the title,” he says. “But, going to England and France is going to be incredibly tough.”
When it comes to a centre combination, McGrath is a huge admirer of the energy, tempo and directness that Bundee Aki brings to Ireland, but he would side with an all-Leinster selection.
“I’d go Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose. I don’t think you can go wrong [with any combination] though. It’s not often they are all fit, in the same squad. It’s some headache for the management but I don’t think they can go wrong.
“Bundee is an unbelievable player, and he was so good in November. He doesn’t stop talking [when you play with him], and it just lifts you. He’s brilliant.”
The final tight selection calls regard the second row and who will take the No.11 jersey that James Lowe wore with distinction in the last clump of games.
Joey Carbery, Andrew Porter and Iain Henderson pictured during the 2019 World Cup. (Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile)The case to start beside Tadhg Beirne
If most of us accept that the settled Ireland back three, for the opening rounds at least, is Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier and Jack Conan, it means Tadhg Beirne is destined for second row duties.
The Munster forward is in the form of his life – well, rivalling the season he helped Scarlets to the PRO12 title – and simply needs to start for Ireland.
“The form Tadhg Beirne is in,” notes Jason Hennessy, “how could you not play him?
“He has to start. It would just baffle the mind if he was not starting against Wales, with the form he is in and what he offers around the breakdown, alone. He’s a monster.”
“I think he will start in the second row,” says McGrath. “With the form he is in, you just have to start him. You could put him 6, but it could all come down to game-plan.”
The 19-times capped Ireland scrumhalf says Andrew Conway and Hugo Keenan should retain the 14 and 15 jerseys. “Then,” he adds, “you have lads like Robert Baloucoune, who is in good form for Ulster and played against Argentina, and Mack Hansen, who has been brilliant for Connacht all season.”
Add Keith Earls and Jordan Larmour to the mix and, as McGrath says, Andy Farrell almost can’t go wrong. To Greg O’Shea, Earls should get the 11 jersey for the Wales game.
House of Rugby’s Ireland team
15. Hugo Keenan
14. Andrew Conway
13. Robbie Henshaw
12. Bundee Aki
11. Keith Earls
10. Johnny Sexton
9. Jamison Gibson-Park1. Andrew Porter
2. Rónan Kelleher
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. James Ryan
5. Tadhg Beirne
6. Caelan Doris
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Jack Conan
