Here’s some of our immediate thoughts after seeing the team-sheet.
The Notorious SOB
The efforts put in by Ireland’s flankers last weekend went a long way to lessening how much the Tullow Tank was missed. But to have a fresh O’Brien coming into the equation will be a massive boost to the bruised bodies around him.
Whether carrying, mauling or in the ruck, O’Brien so often marks himself out to be Ireland’s most important player.
Morgan Treacy / INPHO
Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO
He will get a flaming hot reception in Paris after starting his last Test appearance with a punch to Pascal Pape’s gut, but he’s big and bold enough to handle all that. And the extra attention sent his way might just free up a weak shoulder for other big carriers.
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Late calls and bench confusion
Schmidt entered the press conference with an even more concerned look than usual. He had to delay his announcement by almost half an hour after meeting with his coaches to finalise selection.
In their haste, the IRFU released a team-sheet without Tommy O’Donnell among the replacements, while handing out a physical team-sheet with the Munster man at number 20.
Fergus McFadden was named on the bench just over an hour after being named in the same slot by Leinster. That one though, was no mistake.
The delay was down to last-ditch calls on the fitness of Simon Zebo and Keith Earls to play on Saturday after struggling with respective knee and concussion issues all week. Their loss is McFadden’s gain, and the utility back is almost certain to win a cap this weekend having missed out on the original Six Nations squad.
Sexton fitness
Ireland’s playmaker in chief is always the primary target for France and just because there is a change in Les Bleus’ coach and philosophy doesn’t mean that’s about to change.
Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
The out-half was missed in the closing minutes against Wales as Ireland attempted to run from deep as he made his way to the sideline clutching his chest. Today, he reports himself in full health.
However, the shoulder injury kept him out of training on Tuesday and with a new child arriving, the rest and recovery can’t have been at its smoothest. Given the out-half’s history, there must be a concern over how durable he will be once hostilities commence.
Tight turnaround
Six day turnarounds are always tough, but with sore bodies and men chopped in and out of training availability this has been a very testing week for Joe Schmidt.
The head coach pointed to a grand total of 90 minutes of training time over two days this week, a horribly short window to prepare a team for a pivotal away Six Nations clash.
O’Brien and the Kearney boys will be long since ‘plugged in’ to Schmidt’s methods though and the fresh bodies will be welcome to the fray while last week’s starters patch themselves up for another bout.
Rob return
The most solid option Schmidt could pick at 15 returns to the starting line-up, despite not training fully with the squad until today.
Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
It’s been a difficult season for Ireland’s first choice fullback as his World Cup glute issue led to hamstring frustration.
With France coach Guy Noves naming an incredibly exciting back three including the Teddy Thomas and Virimi Vakatawa, a repeat of the loose kicking from hand that punctuated last weekend will be punished by France’s electric counter-attackers.
Kearney, if fully fit, will be confident of dominating the aerial contest when kicks do up up in the air, but he will also have license to use that big left boot to turn the fliers around.
Tight turnaround for Sexton and more talking points from Schmidt's side to face France
AFTER MUCH DELIBERATING and post-training check-ups, Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt named his team for Saturday’s Six Nations visit to France.
Here’s some of our immediate thoughts after seeing the team-sheet.
The Notorious SOB
The efforts put in by Ireland’s flankers last weekend went a long way to lessening how much the Tullow Tank was missed. But to have a fresh O’Brien coming into the equation will be a massive boost to the bruised bodies around him.
Whether carrying, mauling or in the ruck, O’Brien so often marks himself out to be Ireland’s most important player.
He will get a flaming hot reception in Paris after starting his last Test appearance with a punch to Pascal Pape’s gut, but he’s big and bold enough to handle all that. And the extra attention sent his way might just free up a weak shoulder for other big carriers.
Late calls and bench confusion
Schmidt entered the press conference with an even more concerned look than usual. He had to delay his announcement by almost half an hour after meeting with his coaches to finalise selection.
In their haste, the IRFU released a team-sheet without Tommy O’Donnell among the replacements, while handing out a physical team-sheet with the Munster man at number 20.
Fergus McFadden was named on the bench just over an hour after being named in the same slot by Leinster. That one though, was no mistake.
The delay was down to last-ditch calls on the fitness of Simon Zebo and Keith Earls to play on Saturday after struggling with respective knee and concussion issues all week. Their loss is McFadden’s gain, and the utility back is almost certain to win a cap this weekend having missed out on the original Six Nations squad.
Sexton fitness
Ireland’s playmaker in chief is always the primary target for France and just because there is a change in Les Bleus’ coach and philosophy doesn’t mean that’s about to change.
The out-half was missed in the closing minutes against Wales as Ireland attempted to run from deep as he made his way to the sideline clutching his chest. Today, he reports himself in full health.
However, the shoulder injury kept him out of training on Tuesday and with a new child arriving, the rest and recovery can’t have been at its smoothest. Given the out-half’s history, there must be a concern over how durable he will be once hostilities commence.
Tight turnaround
Six day turnarounds are always tough, but with sore bodies and men chopped in and out of training availability this has been a very testing week for Joe Schmidt.
The head coach pointed to a grand total of 90 minutes of training time over two days this week, a horribly short window to prepare a team for a pivotal away Six Nations clash.
O’Brien and the Kearney boys will be long since ‘plugged in’ to Schmidt’s methods though and the fresh bodies will be welcome to the fray while last week’s starters patch themselves up for another bout.
Rob return
The most solid option Schmidt could pick at 15 returns to the starting line-up, despite not training fully with the squad until today.
It’s been a difficult season for Ireland’s first choice fullback as his World Cup glute issue led to hamstring frustration.
With France coach Guy Noves naming an incredibly exciting back three including the Teddy Thomas and Virimi Vakatawa, a repeat of the loose kicking from hand that punctuated last weekend will be punished by France’s electric counter-attackers.
Kearney, if fully fit, will be confident of dominating the aerial contest when kicks do up up in the air, but he will also have license to use that big left boot to turn the fliers around.
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