Tommy Dickson / INPHO
Tommy Dickson / INPHO / INPHO
That’s part of what you base your decision-making on: what have people done in the past? Can they replicate that in the future? If they’ve done it in the past, they’re more likely to replicate it.”
Joe Schmidt spoke earlier in this campaign around the weighted value of experienced players when he is putting a team selection together. With Andrew Trimble injured and Jared Payne and Tiernan O’Halloran nursing enough knocks to keep them out of Monday’s training session, the Kiwi has again returned to Tommy Bowe to fulfill a utility role among the replacements.
Andrew Conway would have been an exciting alternative, but with zero caps to his name and the scent of a Championship, the fleet-footed Munster man found himself outside the cut with Craig Gilroy.
Marcus Sheridan / INPHO
Marcus Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
Bowe was also a surprise selection for the opening weekend clash with Scotland. That day, he was unable to hit the ground running as a replacement. Hopefully, after “training the house down” he can put those errors right when he is called upon in the Millennium Stadium to either close the game out, turn it around or perhaps even pile on late points.
Advertisement
Kearney pulls through
With Jonathan Sexton finally fit, Rob Kearney was the only remaining injury concern hovering over Schmidt’s selection following the win over France.
Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
The fullback added a groin issue to a lengthening list of injury troubles he has been battling and managing. With some of the head coach’s tried and tested back three options falling by the wayside, Schmidt must have been grateful to see Kearney pull through and train in full this week to take the number 15 shirt.
An alternative outcome would have forced the Kiwi to take what, in his eyes, would be a risk by naming O’Halloran or shifting Simon Zebo across and so necessitating a change in more than one of the three positions.
Half-back rhythm
The manner in which Jonathan Sexton and Conor Murray seamlessly re-forged their partnership against France was incredibly impressive. On Friday, with a recent Test under their belts, they will again be the most important combination to Ireland’s hopes of pushing England to a decider.
Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
Of course, they will be targeted and controlling a match in hostile territory will be more difficult than the welcoming home turf in the Aviva Stadium. But if they can strike anything approaching the same sort of form, then Wales will find it difficult to impose themselves on the visitors.
Unfamiliar feeling of an unchanged XV
The attrition rate in modern rugby allows precious little opportunity for coaches to name unchanged starting line-ups. It’s a rare luxury for Ireland, and one which will never be easily passed up by Schmidt.
In a Championship where momentum seems to be of greater value than in any other, it’s the first time Schmidt has named an unchanged XV. Ireland’s battle-hardened selection is full of partnerships which will benefit another Test run. And approaching the final two weekends the continuity will help to paint the picture of a squad who have a head of steam built up since bouncing back from the woes of Edinburgh.
Ghost of Cardiffs past
Traditionally, we think of the Principality / Millennium Stadium as a happy hunting ground for Ireland. Munster and Leinster have won European titles there, the nation has a Grand Slam. But Ireland’s last visit to the venue was in October 2015, when they were blown out of the water by Argentina.
Only seven of that day’s starting line-up are present for Friday’s crucial return in the Six Nations. In a red hot atmosphere against a desperate host, Ireland must show that the lessons have been learned — from not only the World Cup quarter-final but also of the Six Nations opener and the last Six Nations visit to the venue — and withstand an early onslaught to avoid the need to claw back an early deficit.
Bowe back, Kearney pulls through and more talking points from Ireland's XV to face Wales
IRELAND’S PENULTIMATE STARTING line-up of this year’s Six Nations was announced in Maynooth today. See the full story here, with some points to ponder below.
23. Tommy Bowe
Joe Schmidt spoke earlier in this campaign around the weighted value of experienced players when he is putting a team selection together. With Andrew Trimble injured and Jared Payne and Tiernan O’Halloran nursing enough knocks to keep them out of Monday’s training session, the Kiwi has again returned to Tommy Bowe to fulfill a utility role among the replacements.
Andrew Conway would have been an exciting alternative, but with zero caps to his name and the scent of a Championship, the fleet-footed Munster man found himself outside the cut with Craig Gilroy.
Bowe was also a surprise selection for the opening weekend clash with Scotland. That day, he was unable to hit the ground running as a replacement. Hopefully, after “training the house down” he can put those errors right when he is called upon in the Millennium Stadium to either close the game out, turn it around or perhaps even pile on late points.
Kearney pulls through
With Jonathan Sexton finally fit, Rob Kearney was the only remaining injury concern hovering over Schmidt’s selection following the win over France.
The fullback added a groin issue to a lengthening list of injury troubles he has been battling and managing. With some of the head coach’s tried and tested back three options falling by the wayside, Schmidt must have been grateful to see Kearney pull through and train in full this week to take the number 15 shirt.
An alternative outcome would have forced the Kiwi to take what, in his eyes, would be a risk by naming O’Halloran or shifting Simon Zebo across and so necessitating a change in more than one of the three positions.
Half-back rhythm
The manner in which Jonathan Sexton and Conor Murray seamlessly re-forged their partnership against France was incredibly impressive. On Friday, with a recent Test under their belts, they will again be the most important combination to Ireland’s hopes of pushing England to a decider.
Of course, they will be targeted and controlling a match in hostile territory will be more difficult than the welcoming home turf in the Aviva Stadium. But if they can strike anything approaching the same sort of form, then Wales will find it difficult to impose themselves on the visitors.
Unfamiliar feeling of an unchanged XV
The attrition rate in modern rugby allows precious little opportunity for coaches to name unchanged starting line-ups. It’s a rare luxury for Ireland, and one which will never be easily passed up by Schmidt.
In a Championship where momentum seems to be of greater value than in any other, it’s the first time Schmidt has named an unchanged XV. Ireland’s battle-hardened selection is full of partnerships which will benefit another Test run. And approaching the final two weekends the continuity will help to paint the picture of a squad who have a head of steam built up since bouncing back from the woes of Edinburgh.
Ghost of Cardiffs past
Traditionally, we think of the Principality / Millennium Stadium as a happy hunting ground for Ireland. Munster and Leinster have won European titles there, the nation has a Grand Slam. But Ireland’s last visit to the venue was in October 2015, when they were blown out of the water by Argentina.
Only seven of that day’s starting line-up are present for Friday’s crucial return in the Six Nations. In a red hot atmosphere against a desperate host, Ireland must show that the lessons have been learned — from not only the World Cup quarter-final but also of the Six Nations opener and the last Six Nations visit to the venue — and withstand an early onslaught to avoid the need to claw back an early deficit.
Senior presence Henshaw ready to ‘man up’ and make the hits against Wales
Ulster add beef to pack with signing of South African prop for next season
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
6 Nations Six Nations