Less than 24 hours on from the 2016 Six Nations and we’re already looking forward.
Given how we surrendered our hard-earned title after only three games, it is definitely more enjoyable than looking back.
Ireland managed to finish this year’s campaign on a high and had the added boon of welcoming five new players to the Test arena. Huge challenges await later this year, and taking some Southern Hemisphere scalps should see us in good stead for 2017.
There are a host of senior players set to return from injury, young talents gaining vital experience in the Guinness Pro12 and a few of the Under-20 crop that may force themselves into the picture within 12 months.
Ireland have home games against France and England in 2017. If they start the championship with away wins over Scotland and Italy, they will be primed for a Grand Slam assault. As England proved, this competition is all about momentum.
Here is the team, and bench, we feel that could help deliver Ireland another Slam.
FRONT ROW
Not many changes to the current front row, bar the tight-heads. As Mike Ross tells us, he will never retire from Test rugby.
That is handy, just in case injuries mean we need him. However, from 2017 onwards it is time for Marty Moore and Tadhg Furlong [in that order] to get runs. Finlay Bealham might be a viable option with more game-time at Connacht.
Would be handy to see a new hooker push through. Jack McGrath to press claims for Lions No.1 jersey with strong championship. Possible bench push for Ulster’s Kyle McCall.
SECOND ROW
How good would it be to see Ultan Dillane and Iain Henderson teaming up in the second row together?
Schmidt is fond of Toner in the role so may yet stick with the 6′ 10″ Leinster man and have one power option backing up the other.
An outside bet would be Ireland U20 captain James Ryan. The Lansdowne and Leinster lock is a genuine talent and could emulate England’s Maro Itoje as being instantly elevated to the big time. Our master-stroke, however, is to get Rhys Ruddock some game-time in the second row at Leinster and hold him in reserve.
BACK ROW
So many surnames to choose from – O’Mahony, O’Brien, Murphy, van der Flier, Heaslip, O’Donnell, Stander, Henry, Ruddock.
Peter O’Mahony is too good to keep out of the team and may well be Ireland captain by 2017. Sean O’Brien – if he can get a good, injury-free run – remains a world-class openside.
The big call here is who to play No.8. Jamie Heaslip is back in form for his country but CJ Stander has been our best back row in this championship. Shift him to his preferred spot at the back of the pack and watch him go.
Added to all this are Iain Henderson, who prefers blindside, and Connacht’s Jake Heenan. The Kiwi openside will be Irish qualified later this year.
OUT HALVES
Another year older, wiser and more banged up after getting targeted by the entire Southern Hemisphere, but Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton will not be overtaken any time soon on this island.
Luke McGrath may push Kieran Marmion for the reserve scrum-half role while JJ Hanrahan will be hoping to press his out-half case from Northampton. If he can keep an upward curve, he may leap ahead of Paddy Jackson and Ian Madigan.
MIDFIELD
Jared Payne is contracted until 2018 so expect his name to be in the mix but we’re backing Garry Ringrose to make an irresistible impression with Leinster, in the Champions Cup, then Ireland.
Stuart McCloskey is the 12 Ireland have been looking for but Schmidt is hung up on Robbie Henshaw, for now. Teaming up the Ulster centre with Ringrose should successfully mix craft, guile, line breaks and offloads.
Luke Marshall should not be completely ruled out, Luke Fitzgerald will hopefully be fit again and Stuart Olding is also about. Still, not as bountiful as other departments.
BACK THREE
Again, many of the familiar faces are contracted up to 2018 and 2019 so don’t expect Schmidt to tip the snowglobe.
We’re selecting Tommy Bowe – a man who unfortunately seems to be more injured than not in recent years – and game-breaking Craig Gilroy, who was in the 2016 training squad without making matchday 23s.
Schmidt does not seem to seriously consider Simon Zebo as a Test winger. Were Keith Earls or Andrew Trimble to occupy that left wing, we would have no major complaints.
The bolter option is 2015/16’s leading Guinness Pro12 try-scorer – Connacht’s Matt Healy.
Our full-back is Robbie Henshaw. Hone his kicking out of hand and he could do the most damage for Ireland in this role.
IRELAND IN 2017
15. Robbie Henshaw
14. Tommy Bowe
13. Garry Ringrose
12. Stuart McCloskey
11. Craig Gilroy
10. Johnny Sexton
9. Conor Murray
1. Jack McGrath
2. Rory Best
3. Marty Moore
4. Ultan Dillane
5. Iain Henderson
6. Peter O’Mahony
7. Sean O’Brien
8. CJ Stander
Replacements: Cronin, C Healy, Furlong, Ruddock, van der Flier, Marmion, Madigan, Zebo.
Let us know, on Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat or Instagram, what you make of our team.
