Former Ireland scrum-half Peter Stringer is hoping for some experimentation from Joe Schmidt this Saturday in Cardiff.
We should know by Thursday what the XV will be for Ireland’s opening World Cup clash with Canada and Stringer is hopeful that the Kiwi will mix up his team selection.
Much of the focus before the tournament was whether Cian Healy would be able to play and how soon, and the Munster legend told KICCA that Saturday is an ideal opportunity to get him some much needed game-time.
“I think Joe is going to pick a fairly strong side. I’d like to see Cian Healy back in and getting a start. He’s proved his fitness and worked really hard to get back and I think it’s a good opportunity to start him.”
The former Ireland international also feels that Iain Henderson deserves a start alongside Paul O’Connell in the second row, while he’s made a bold prediction for a new centre-partnership to start the weekend,
“Another area I’d like to see a change, Keith Earls or Luke Fitzgerald get an opportunity in the 13 jersey.
“Both have shown great attacking flair and it’s time they got an opportunity and this is ther game to try that out.”
Stringer unsurprisingly goes for Rob Kearney at 15 while he feels that younger brother Dave and Simon Zebo take on the wing positions.
