Wales are coming to town and Ireland are ready for a fight.
Ireland book-ended two defeats to Wales, in 2015, with a scintillating victory at the Millennium Stadium.
Sure, the Welsh gave several fringe players a game but the manner of Ireland’s crushing victory got many fans giddy ahead of the World Cup. Those hopes were dashed by a slew of injuries and the Argentineans.
One of the most worrying aspects of Ireland’s quarter final exit was the fact that they lost just about every collision that counted against los Pumas.
Two weeks after Ireland were sent packing, a perfect solution emerged. CJ Stander became eligible to play for Ireland.
There has been talk of Leinster’s Josh van der Flier putting his hand up for selection as openside, for the Wales game, and Sean O’Brien switching to blindside.
However, Schmidt is well aware of the threat posed by Wales’ back row and looks set to keep O’Brien and Jamie Heaslip where they are. As for the No.6 jersey, that should go to Stander.
Speaking to us after Ireland’s open training session at the Aviva Stadium, the Munster captain was more than open to the idea. He said:
“I played my first few matches for Munster at six when I arrived and it’s something I’m familiar with, that’s where I started my rugby off.
“I just want to put up my hand and if I get selected anywhere in the back row or on the bench, it doesn’t matter. I’ll just be delighted to get that opportunity.”
The other way Schmidt can go would be a departure that seems unlikely – O’Brien, van der Flier and Stander.
Jamie Heaslip is under very real pressure for the first time in a long time but he will be pleased with how he stood up to Stander, and performed so well, in Leinster’s festive win over Munster at Thomond Park.
For Stander’s part, he could not speak more highly of Ireland’s vice captain.
“Jamie is someone you can look up to. He’s never injured and he’s very professional. It’s good to get into a camp with him and see how he works and his way of doing stuff.”
Some [pundits and fans] have called for Rhys Ruddock to come in at blindside, where he is playing well for Leinster, but he may start on the bench and cover both the second and back rows. He has featured as lock for Leinster this season.
With a six-day turnaround between games against Wales and France, Schmidt may well take a horses-for-courses approach to selection.
In Stander, he has a horse that can run amok on every course.
