A 46-man squad named last week, yet Ireland only have two fit scrum-halves and two fit out-halves to call on this Friday
Ireland’s first injury update of the Six Nations window landed in SportsJOE’s inbox on Monday with some bleak news – Rhys Ruddock, Dave Kearney and Dave Foley are all doubts for the opening game against Italy. Added to that, Eoin Reddan [knee] and Conor Murray [neck] are unlikely to feature against England Saxons on Friday.
Irish management has a bare cupboard when it comes to reserves at No.9 and 10. James Hart, Paul Marshall and Luke McGrath are scrum-half options while Noel Reid (already in the squad) began his career as an out-half. Ian Humphreys and Gareth Steenson are experienced back-ups but Schmidt is unlikely to call them up.
So, we are left with two half-back options for Friday evening’s game against the Saxons, in Cork. Which Irish players do you want at scrum-half and out-half for the warm-up match? Select your starting scrum-half first, then out-half.
