If you’re a professional Irish rugby player and you are fit, you stand a good chance of hearing your name called tomorrow
Joe Schmidt, via the magic of electronic mail, will announce his extended Six Nations training squad on Thursday morning and set in motion Ireland’s defence of a crowd memorably captured in 2014.
As we reported on Tuesday, Schmidt is unable to call on at least a dozen of his leading international lights due to an unfortunate spate of January injuries and long-term issues. The New Zealander has delivered on a promise he made, in November, upon officially taking up the post as Ireland coach. He set out an initially goal of building a pool of 30-35 senior players and, following the 2014 Guinness Series, surpassed the figure.
Each jersey in the Ireland XV is a battleground – each with serious contenders and justifiable arguments. Schmidt will name an extended squad of between 36-38 as there is a Wolfhounds game on the horizon (January 30). Here is what else we expect to arise from today’s announcement:
Serious competition for Mike Ross
The tight-head prop has been a cornerstone of the Irish pack ever since he started against Italy, for his third cap, in February 2011. Ross looked creaky upon his return to the Test arena, during November’s Guinness Series, but Schmidt started him against South Africa, Samoa and Australia.
Since then, Ross was given a terrible going over [at times illegally] by Harlequins’ Joe Marler and was dropped, in favour of Marty Moore, for last weekend’s win over Castres. Other tight-heads in the mix include Nathan White, Rodney Ah You and Tadhg Furlong. Ross’ surname will be there but he is no longer untouchable.
A call-up for JJ Hanrahan
This may be more a case of necessity over any burning desire Schmidt has to see the prodigious Munster out-half in the Ireland No.10 jersey. Hanrahan has played much of this season at inside centre and was so frustrated at his lack of out-half opportunities, he decided to sign for Northampton Saints next season.
Johnny Sexton is out until February 14, Paddy Jackson is on the injured list and neither Gareth Steenson nor Ian Humphreys look likely inclusions. Ian Keatley should start for the Wolfhounds and deputise for Ian Madigan, against Italy, but JJ would relish a Wolfhounds chance.
Robbie and Jared reunited
Schmidt saw enough of Robbie Henshaw and Jared Payne in training, last November, to take a calculated risk in naming them in midfield to take on South Africa, number two in world rugby. Jan Serfontein lacerated them in the opening exchanges but they recovered well to play key roles in a well-deserved victory. Henshaw was shifted out to the No.13 jersey after Payne injured his foot, but he is back and scoring tries for Ulster again.
Given the injuries to Stuart Olding and Luke Marshall, Gordon D’Arcy’s relegation to the Leinster bench and Ian Madigan being required at out-half, it looks likely that Henshaw and Payne will get their second start together against Italy. Midfield competition will be provided by Luke Fitzgerald, Keith Earls, who may find himself squeezed out from a place on the wing, and either Denis Hurley or Noel Reid.
A lot of Leinster names
Munster were rewarded for their fine start to the Champions Cup, last November, by having eight players included in Schmidt’s Guinness Series squad. With the southern province exposed in Europe, Connacht offering five [maximum] players and Ulster struggling [poor form and a swathe of injuries], Leinster players will benefit. As many as 18 of Schmidt’s extended Six Nations squad could be plucked from the three-time Heineken Cup champions.
Full steam ahead
No matter the name, no matter the injury, no matter the form of the provinces or his upcoming opposition, Joe Schmidt will have a plan in place. The Kiwi was been assiduously preparing his his team’s title defence and feels he finally has a player-bloc that understand exactly the gameplan, and style, he requires to win.
The 2014 Six Nations was won without Sean O’Brien, Stephen Ferris, Donnacha Ryan, Tommy Bowe and Simon Zebo. A Guinness Series was delivered without O’Brien [again], Chris Henry, Dave Kearney, Iain Henderson and a retired Brian O’Driscoll. At the end of it all, the New Zealander suffered appendicitis and still stuck around the Aviva Stadium until he had masterminded a 26-23 win over Australia.
Schmidt will name his squad and the nation will follow.
