AS PROVINCIAL FOCUS returns to the Pro12 this week, Joe Schmidt and his Ireland squad have assembled at Carton House to begin their preparation for the November Tests.
Ahead of the clashes with South Africa on 8 November, Georgia on 16 November and Australia on 22 November, we’ve outlined five questions for head coach Schmidt and his coaching team.
Who starts at 13?
There has been much focus on the form of [or lack of, as perceived in some quarters] Jared Payne at outside centre for Ulster in recent weeks, while Robbie Henshaw has gone about business with Connacht under the radar.
The 21-year-old scored two tries against La Rochelle two weekends ago, but was withdrawn halfway through last weekend’s heavy defeat in Exeter in order to manage his individual workload.
Against South Africa on 8 November, the impression is that Henshaw’s power and appetite for contact would be best suited to the task. That said, Schmidt is on the record as stating that Payne is in strong contention to make his debut at 13.
Can Ireland be more clinical in the 22?
It seems like an age ago at this stage, but Ireland’s most recent reference points on the pitch are the June Tests in Argentina. There were positives among that pair of victories, but Schmidt was understandably frustrated by other aspects.
Chief among the latter was Ireland’s lack of a clinical edge in the opposition 22. Superb scoring chances were created on several occasions, but errors, strong defence and a lack of cutting edge from close range denied Ireland further tries.
Every team in the world has to make their visits into the opposition 22 count, but against two of the best in South Africa and Australia, Schmidt’s men will need to be ultra clinical. Missed chances will almost certainly mean defeats.
Will the line-out strengths continue?
John Plumtree made a notable impact during his short tenure as forwards coach last season, overseeing an excellent Irish line-out and maul. Paul O’Connell remains in situ to run those elements of Ireland’s game on the pitch, but Simon Easterby is now the man in charge off it.
A high-quality line-out forward in his playing days, the former Scarlets head coach is under immediate pressure to ensure that Schmidt’s side continue to be provided with a strong platform to attack from, and to attack through.
In terms of personnel, Devin Toner, Peter O’Mahony, O’Connell and Dave Foley provide exceptional line-out abilities, but retaining the organisation and understanding of last season will be key.
How many news caps are there to be?
It seems certain that Payne and Nathan White will become Ireland internationals in November, but what of the other three uncapped players in Schmidt’s 37-man group?
We have mentioned Munster second row Foley above, and it does appear likely that he will muscle his way onto the international scene too. Schmidt has mentioned that he feels the 26-year-old can add extra bulk to his frame, but Foley’s aggression makes him a good bet.
Dominic Ryan and Darragh Leader are the remaining new faces around Carton House, although the former is well known to Schmidt. Are that duo ready for the exceptional demands of Test match rugby?
What purpose does the Georgia match serve?
In that vein, how Schmidt views the Georgia clash on 16 November will be of particular interest. Against the side ranked 15th in the world by the IRB, does the Kiwi coach blood all of his less experienced players or look for full-strength continuity ahead of the Wallabies clash?
It seems likely that the answer will fall in the midpoint between those two extremes, with relative newcomers featuring alongside some steadying experience.
Schmidt has underlined the strength of the Georgian pack, particularly the front row, but the likes of Stephen Archer, Robbie Diack, Foley, Richardt Strauss and Dave Kilcoyne will have high hopes of earning plenty of game time.
In the backs, Kieran Marmion, Ian Keatley, Stuart Olding, and Felix Jones have all offered up reminders of their abilities early this season and might expect to feature.
What teams would you like to see picked for the three games? How many new caps will there be throughout the three Tests? Can Ireland claim a clean sweep?
I love this positivity from Collins!
You can’t even beat Greece ffs
@john doe: They can barely beat Gibraltar at home.
I have nothing against this team and setup but it’s time to start concentrating on getting the grassroots and facilities up to standard i.e. concentrat on teams to come in the future.
@Stanley Marsh: To be fair, we put as many past Gibraltar as France, Netherlands and Greece did.
@Eoin McCarthy: oh wow. Another moral victory for us so. We’re as good as France.
Ffs
@Eoin McCarthy: Oh well, I take back everything I said then!!
WHOOSH!!!
@Stanley Marsh: 18 players given debuts,that’s for the future
@Larry Betts: Yes, but what kind of future in the short to medium term?
There is a bizarre scenario for us that to qualify for the play offs we need most of the teams ranked higher than us in the Nations league to qualify automatically through these qualifying groups. One of those teams is The Netherlands. So technically if they beat us it improves our chance of getting a play off.
@Gearóid MacEachaidh: whatever happened to just the top 2 qualifying.
What on earth is Kenny putting in the Irl teams drinking water ?
The latest extraordinary uttering has Collins saying that they can beat France.”Incredible”.
Judging by his performance on Monday,Collins would have difficulty getting in the Gibraltar side.
Kenny must be shown the door now. His tactical awareness is non existent,and leads his team up blind alleys.
Yes delusion is the name of the game by all at the
F A I.
Headless chickens come to mind.
Marc
@marc anders: what are you talking about? On one hand you are saying that the players shouldn’t have belief in themselves to get the best out of themselves and on the other hand you’re saying Collins wouldn’t get on the Gibraltar team.. which obviously isn’t even remotely true!
April fools day is long gone. Please be a great player that you are. Don’t talk like that Please. Chance came and went
Oh Holy mother…..
#positivity #delusional
they should have asked him before he got steamed up.
Technical yes we can
Realistically we won’t
It’s that easy sum up Irelands chances.
We shouldn’t be trying to “Nick” a result from anyone
Stop it. Please.