So here we are. Two games down with one point and one try to show for our efforts.
Ireland are behind the 8-ball in terms of retaining their championship but they do finish their campaign with home games against [thus far] winless Italy and Scotland.
Joe Schmidt has another batch of injuries to deal with and, with England away next, may prove averse to taking too many risks. The show must go on and there are still enough fit bodies not to make excuses going into this match.
This is the starting XV, and subs, we would like to see selected for the February 27 clash with England.
FRONT ROW
Bring in the cavalry for Jack McGrath. Schmidt has shown no trust in Munster’s James Cronin so one imagines that Cian Healy will be drafted in if he comes through 40 minutes against Cardiff this weekend. Likewise for Mike Ross, who should go straight back in as starting tighthead. If it needs a helicopter and wince to shuttle him from scrum to scrum, so be it. Rory Best to continue as captain and hooker.
SECOND ROW
Donnacha Ryan has done well off the bench in both of his championship appearances. He brings more athleticism and power than Mike McCarthy’s honest graft. Devin Toner continues after starting the championship in decent form.
BACK ROW
Sean O’Brien is out and it may be an idea to simply plan without him in the future. If he is fit and healthy, all the better. There are four options to replace him – Tommy O’Donnell, Rhys Ruddock, Josh van der Flier and Chris Henry, who is back for Ulster after a spell on the sidelines.
CJ Stander and Jamie Heaslip to retain their jerseys, O’Donnell to get a run of games at openside and two options on the Irish bench – Ruddock (he can also cover second row) and van der Flier.
HALF BACKS
Conor Murray was excellent against France despite not having a scrum in command. Johnny Sexton to start if he overcomes his whiplash-type blows from that game. Paddy Jackson MUST come in as replacement outhalf and take your pick from Kieran Marmion or Eoin Reddan [either wil be lucky to get five minutes].
MIDFIELD
This selection may rest on how Jared Payne responds to treatment on his impaired hamstring. We are going purely on wishful thinking here and selecting the Ulster pairing of Stuat McCloskey and Luke Marshall. They have been going well all season and Schmidt says he has looked at them closely as a potential Test match combination. ‘What about Henhaw?’ you ask…
BACK THREE
We are starting Henshaw at fullback. Rob Kearney looked bereft of confidence and ideas against France and Simon Zebo was ruthlessly exposed under the high ball at Twickenham last August. Starting Zebo at fullback would be a big risk. Instead, we have him on our bench. Andrew Trimble and Keith Earls to occupy the wing berths.
SportsJOE’s IRELAND XV
15. Robbie Henshaw
14. Andrew Trimble
13. Luke Marshall
12. Stuart McCloskey
11. Keith Earls
10. Johnny Sexton
9. Conor Murray
1. Jack McGrath
2. Rory Best
3. Mike Ross
4. Donnacha Ryan
5. Devin Toner
6. CJ Stander
7. Tommy O’Donnell
8. Jamie Heaslip
Replacements: S Cronin, C Healy, Furlong, Ruddock, v.d Flier, Marmion, Jackson, Zebo.
