LAST UPDATE | 24 Oct 2017
THE SEASON IS eight games old with two rounds of Europe and inter-provincials already behind us.
So with just two further Pro14 weekends to go before the November Tests take over our screens, Joe Schmidt has likely already decided who he wants to form the core of his international squad for the next month.
Inevitably, the European window has brought injury news to impact some selection calls for the clashes against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina in the month ahead. On top of the long-term absences of Garry Ringrose, Jared Payne and Jamie Heaslip, the short-term Test hopes of Niall Scannell and Josh van der Flier have been scuppered by thumb and ankle injuries respectively.
For Simon Zebo, yesterday’s news that he will make the move to Racing 92 next season has cast a doubt over his long-term Test international credentials. However, in our selection it’s no barrier to picking him for the clash with South Africa on 11 November.
The half-backs ahead of Zebo pick themselves, but the spate of centre injuries leave a space to be filled alongside Robbie Henshaw in midfield. Given his form with and without the ball through two tough French clashes in Europe, we hope that slot goes to Rory Scannell and Henshaw gets the chance to shine again at outside centre.
On the wings, the form of Jacob Stockdale makes him another summer debutant who is a viable choice to start the Springbok Test, with Keith Earls a consistently impressive force from the tour to the US and Japan through the opening weeks of the season.
The big call in the pack for Schmidt appear to be at hooker – where Tom McCartney is now in the mix to compete with Rory Best and Sean Cronin – and number eight – a straight shoot-out between Jack Conan and CJ Stander. For us, a fit Best continues to start and captain the side, while Conan has hit better form in the early start of the season.
The42′s Ireland squad to face South Africa
15. Simon Zebo
14. Keith Earls
13. Robbie Henshaw
12. Rory Scannell
11. Jacob Stockdale
10. Jonathan Sexton
9. Conor Murray
1. Jack McGrath
2. Rory Best
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Iain Henderson
5. Devin Toner
6. Peter O’Mahony
7. Sean O’Brien
8. Jack Conan
Replacements:
16. Sean Cronin
17. Cian Healy
18. John Ryan
19. Ultan Dillane
20. CJ Stander
21. Kieran Marmion
22. Joey Carbery
23. Bundee Aki
Who would you pick for the opening November Test?
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Amendment: the original version of this article mistakenly included Tyler Bleyendaal among the replacements. He will not qualify to play for Ireland on residency until 2018.
Please take me back
This could have been good, but it wasn’t
Sorry I really wanted to like this but it was brutal, the Après Match lads can rest easy.
Last part of the sketch when Charlie asked how many support a league of Ireland club summed up the west brit band wagoners bar stool vermin was met with silence.
Eh, yeah, vermin. Absolute vermin. The cheek of them
Well that was pure muck anyways