What Joe Schmidt’s ballsy call could mean for Ireland’s Six Nations chances

How much can you really look into this selection?

Ireland announced their squad for the opening two rounds of the Six Nations earlier today. Inevitably, there were a number of talking points about the selection choices. Joe Schmidt chose 40 players in his squad, and the most notable feature was the inclusion of 13 Munster players. This is the highest representation of Munster players since 2010. https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/823525443039096832 In a way, this was to be expected, considering Munster's excellent form this season. But what is perhaps more notable from the squad announcement is who is absent. Schmidt has decided to name only two fly-halves in his squad, and this has surprised many. This time last year, when Schmidt announced his squad for the 2016 Six Nations, he included three - Johnny Sexton, Paddy Jackson and Ian Madigan. Throughout that campaign, Sexton started every game, while Madigan got the nod over Jackson and was named on the bench in each game. So, what does the naming of only two out halves actually tell us? Well, firstly it tells us that Madigan's time in an Ireland shirt is likely to be over as long as the 27-year-old is playing his club rugby in France. It may be pointed out that Sexton was picked for Ireland during his tenure with Racing 92. But during that time, Sexton was indispensable to Ireland. Schmidt didn't have the same level of depth and experience in that position as he has now. Secondly and perhaps most importantly, the inclusion of only two out halves is likely an endorsement of Sexton's fitness. If Sexton was in any doubt to be fit for the opener against Scotland in two weeks, then you would imagine there would be a third out half in the squad. Sexton has had a torrid time with injuries of late and the recurrence of soft tissue problems must be a concern for Irish management. It is likely we will see another out half drafted in if Sexton is ruled out with injury but it will unlikely be the SportsJOE public's first choice. We held a poll on Facebook over the weekend, and Bordeaux Begles' Madigan topped the poll with 47% of the vote.

• Ian Madigan - 47%
• Jack Carty - 34%
• Ian Keatley - 15%
• Ross Byrne - 4%

With Joey Carbery not due back until at least Round 3 of the Six Nations, you would think Schmidt is hoping he won't have to call upon the above names until then. Overall, we believe this selection is an endorsement of Sexton's fitness and a fit Sexton means Ireland's chances of achieving something memorable in this tournament are all that greater.