WHILE DEVIN TONER is an immovable presence in Ireland’s engine room, the form second row in the country over recent weeks has been Donnacha Ryan.
The Munster man brings a hard grizzled edge to the Ireland pack. And that quality will not go wanting against an Italy side who will unleash blue fury on their guests in the first half.
In addition to his work-rate around the park, the injection of line-out experience he brings to a set-piece with a point to prove after an error-strewn Murrayfield opener.
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Jackson tightens grip on the reins
Despite last week’s positive outlook on Jonathan Sexton’s calf issue, the out-half has been held back again to leave him facing a full month sidelined before Ireland’s home clash with France in Dublin on February 25.
When you factor in that he lasted just 20 minutes against the All Blacks in November, Paddy Jackson’s run as Ireland’s out-half is now entering a fifth straight game.
After plotting Ireland’s comeback last weekend, an 80-minute stint in Rome should provide ample opportunity for him to showcase his playmaking talents.
Bench power
If Wales’ tussle with the Azzurri last weekend is anything to go by, Ireland have every chance of taking a bonus point win if they manage to finish strong.
Wales were embroiled in an out and out arm-wrestle for 50 minutes, but managed to stick close through the onslaught and then score three tries in the last 20 minutes.
JVDF and Ultan Dillane in training today. James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
In Ultan Dillane, Jack McGrath, Josh van der Flier and Craig Gilroy, Ireland have replacements who will add serious amounts of energy, athleticism and pace to the fray when they’re called upon to stretch an Italian team on a six-day turnaround.
In John Ryan, Joe Schmidt has selected a tighthead who will maintain Ireland’s impressive scrummaging – thus removing a weapon from Italy – through the full length of the game.
Consistency and understanding to build
We’ve become all too accustomed to injury problems necessitating change in the Ireland team, particularly in the back row. So to have CJ,Stander, Sean O’Brien and Jamie Heaslip in harness for consecutive matches can only be a positive thing.
Despite their last outing being a loss, the re-selection will allow the trio to gel and function better as a unit. The same goes for Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose. Though they are now provincial team-mates they don’t have a massive amount of time as a pair under their belts.
Both men are the future of Ireland’s midfield, so if they can develop a Test grade relationship inside this Six Nations, it could be a bedrock of the team for a decade to come.
Bench power and more talking points from Ireland's XV to face Italy
Updated at 15.00
Ryan returns
WHILE DEVIN TONER is an immovable presence in Ireland’s engine room, the form second row in the country over recent weeks has been Donnacha Ryan.
The Munster man brings a hard grizzled edge to the Ireland pack. And that quality will not go wanting against an Italy side who will unleash blue fury on their guests in the first half.
In addition to his work-rate around the park, the injection of line-out experience he brings to a set-piece with a point to prove after an error-strewn Murrayfield opener.
Jackson tightens grip on the reins
Despite last week’s positive outlook on Jonathan Sexton’s calf issue, the out-half has been held back again to leave him facing a full month sidelined before Ireland’s home clash with France in Dublin on February 25.
When you factor in that he lasted just 20 minutes against the All Blacks in November, Paddy Jackson’s run as Ireland’s out-half is now entering a fifth straight game.
After plotting Ireland’s comeback last weekend, an 80-minute stint in Rome should provide ample opportunity for him to showcase his playmaking talents.
Bench power
If Wales’ tussle with the Azzurri last weekend is anything to go by, Ireland have every chance of taking a bonus point win if they manage to finish strong.
Wales were embroiled in an out and out arm-wrestle for 50 minutes, but managed to stick close through the onslaught and then score three tries in the last 20 minutes.
In Ultan Dillane, Jack McGrath, Josh van der Flier and Craig Gilroy, Ireland have replacements who will add serious amounts of energy, athleticism and pace to the fray when they’re called upon to stretch an Italian team on a six-day turnaround.
In John Ryan, Joe Schmidt has selected a tighthead who will maintain Ireland’s impressive scrummaging – thus removing a weapon from Italy – through the full length of the game.
Consistency and understanding to build
We’ve become all too accustomed to injury problems necessitating change in the Ireland team, particularly in the back row. So to have CJ,Stander, Sean O’Brien and Jamie Heaslip in harness for consecutive matches can only be a positive thing.
Despite their last outing being a loss, the re-selection will allow the trio to gel and function better as a unit. The same goes for Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose. Though they are now provincial team-mates they don’t have a massive amount of time as a pair under their belts.
Both men are the future of Ireland’s midfield, so if they can develop a Test grade relationship inside this Six Nations, it could be a bedrock of the team for a decade to come.
Healy and Ryan start as Ireland look to bounce back in Italy
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Schmidt lays down ‘challenge’ to Ireland players to ensure strong start
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