IRELAND HEAD COACH Andy Farrell is expected to name a tried-and-trusted team for Saturday’s World Cup Pool B clash with South Africa in Paris [KO 8pm Irish time, RTÉ].
Farrell’s success with Ireland has been built on the cohesion of his side and he is therefore set to name a familiar-looking team that carries the momentum of 15 consecutive wins into this game against the Springboks.
The first-choice back three of James Lowe, Mack Hansen, and Hugo Keenan are likely to continue after starting together in last weekend’s win over Tonga, while the midfield pairing of Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose is also set to go again.
Johnny Sexton will captain the side from out-half, with Jamison Gibson-Park expected to return at scrum-half after sitting out the Tonga match.
Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher, and Tadhg Furlong are in line to start in the front row, while James Ryan and Tadhg Beirne are favourites to continue in the second row, which would mean Peter O’Mahony, Josh van der Flier, and Caelan Doris forming the back row.
Ireland’s bench selection will be interesting, although assistant coach Simon Easterby indicated earlier today that they won’t be tempted to name a 6/2 split of forwards and backs to counter the Springboks’ decision to go with a 7/1 bench.
Dave Kilcoyne and Finlay Bealham are set to be the back-up props, while hooker Dan Sheehan has returned to training after a foot injury to come into the selection mix. If he’s fully fit, it will be hard to leave him out even if Rob Herring has been in excellent form.
Second row Iain Henderson would offer huge experience and lineout calling ability off the bench. With Jack Conan having been ruled out with injury, the other forwards bench slot is set to go to either lock/flanker Ryan Baird or second row Joe McCarthy.
Conor Murray is expected to be the bench scrum-half, while Jack Crowley could pip Ross Byrne for the back-up out-half spot and Robbie Henshaw is in line to wear the number 23 shirt.
Ireland are due to officially announce their matchday 23 around 2pm Irish time tomorrow.
A travesty if Herring not on the bench after what he has done do consistently for so long which is to close out games and score a fair share of match winning tries too.
@Haddock: For sure Herring will be very disappointed if not picked on the bench, but I think it’s a bit dramatic to call it a travesty. If all hookers are good to go, then herring is certainly 3rd choice. Just unlucky to be behind 2 top class hookers!
@Haddock: I wonder does he understand afrikaans, he could be very useful?
@Mark Murphy: well let’s see. If all three match fit and battle hardened perhaps, but to go with one undercooked as back up ? Not sure we need to take that risk just yet
@brian o’leary: good shout. He might even be starting then
@Haddock: if that’s a reference to Sheehan, Dan doesn’t do undercooked, he’s one of those players like Sexton, that can come back at 100%
@SPQH: if that’s true, then he starts. End of. RK better scrummager when we need it later with Kilcoyne.
@SPQH: bullshit from a leinstrr fanboy.
Porter sheehan furlong ryan beirne o mahony jvf dorris park sexton lowe ringeose aki hansen kennan
@Sèan: Kelleher might start, Sheehan bench. Also Murray might start with Gibson-Park on bench.
@Ray Ridge: just saw pigs flying i agree with you for once
@Sèan: This is a very worrying development!!
@Sèan: what about leaving one of our big turnover kings, Beirne or POM on the bench, until their big replacements come on and we need a fresh dog in at the breakdown. Also with Sexton likely coming off at that point would be nice to have POM coming on. He did great off the bench in 2022. But I could see the benefit of having the 2 on from the start too. I’m glad I don’t pick the team.
@Sèan: Murray starts we loose
@Ray Ridge: that is my preference too but not sure it will happen
@Noel Roe: most likely the team i said will be picked im allways right
@Sèan: lol
Ireland to win by 5 points
All the posts re hooker rightly point out than Dan is our #1 in that slot. However, from a bench perspective, you have to look at combinations. Barring an injury, the scheduled substitution of the front row is almost a combination decision. Although Faz will try to get as many minutes out of the props – Porter in particular- we’re talking a 15-20min appearance for the full bench front row. Herring might be a better scrum option with Kilcoyne and Bealham for that stage of the game, if it was a wrestle. Sheehan excels in the high speed link plays – the question is whether the time for that is earlier in a fast start, or later against a tiring defence using Ireland’s greater conditioning. Faz will have worked this out and also factor this into his 19&20. He will get it right.
H
@hugh o faolain: very true
@hugh o faolain: I disagree, I think G
@Tony Metcalfe: that’s a preposterous take
@hugh o faolain: thats easy for you to say
Strong line up
Three more sleeps should be a cracker let’s hope all our expectations are right….
No recognised cover at the back of the scrum?
@brian o’leary: Baird.
@brian o’leary: Beirne has played at 8, POM last week at 8. Not a problem in terms of coverage and if necessary JVDF at 8, who has also played there.
@Con Cussed: agree. And Aki can play 6 if needed. He did it last weekend
After reading many articles about it, I cannot understand that why SA decided to use 7-1 bench system. Etzebeth’s injury is not very good? Colisi is not in perfect situation, so he can play within 60 min? Snyman has potential injury?
Anyway their 6,7,8 is very strong, maybe Doris will be OK,but JVDF will be ? in rainy condition. If Beirne is 6, he will win over Siya. How AF and POCponder about it.
I want to see that there is Hedreson for 4 (fit to low temparature), Ryan for 5, Beirne at 6, O’mahony at 7, Doris at 8.
And I’m worried Lowe’s light or careless play. His kick has been not effective as before.
@ciaran oconnor: Google translate letting U down there Ivan, sorry Ciarán