Joe Schmidt is ready to load in some young guns and pull the trigger.
Forgive our gun-toting metaphors but we are pretty excited about the latest comments from Ireland coach Joe Schmidt.
Ireland are up against it in the 2016 Six Nations, having gained just one point from two games. Up next are England, who lead the standing after two wins from two.
Schmidt called up five uncapped players for the opening rounds of the championship but only CJ Stander – the eldest of the quintet – has made his debut.
With Ireland suffering from a gargantuan list of injuries and their coach willing to loosen the selection shackles, there could be appearances for Stuart McCloskey, Ultan Dillane, Josh van der Flier and Finlay Bealham.
At Mullingar RFC, on Friday, Schmidt told the print media:
“I think you will see guys over the next three games that you probably haven’t seen in the tournament so far.
“I don’t know which of the games or which number of the games but in the last two Six Nations we have been hanging in, tooth and nail, fighting for the wins that we needed or the [points] differential that we needed.
“We haven’t been in this position where mathematically we have a chance but realistically the chance is a long shot, and where we actually get a window of opportunity to maybe blood a few new guys and chase results at the same time.
“I don’t think it is going to change our outlook in what we want to achieve but it is going to give us an opportunity to maybe look at a few guys like the big fella there and a few others.”
‘The big fella’, we are assured is Ulster centre McCloskey.
Drafting in McCloskey to join Robbie Henshaw in midfield may see Jared Payne drop back to fullback. The other option would be a McCloskey partnership with provincial teammate Luke Marshall and Henshaw dropping to No.15, as we have argued.
Before we get too pumped, Ireland do finish their championship with home fixtures against Italy and Scotland.
Schmidt may give the younger generation a taste a Twickenham before handing out full debuts in Dublin.
