THE WHISPERS THAT Ireland are considering bringing only two recognised scrum-halves to the World Cup just won’t go away.
We won’t have an answer for certain until some time after Joe Schmidt informs his players who has made the cut for his final 31-man squad on Sunday.
For now, as the speculation and debate flows, there is a sense in some quarters that Conor Murray and Eoin Reddan will travel, with Ian Madigan providing a ‘break in case of emergency’ option for Schmidt.
The Ireland coach again underlined today that Madigan has not trained at scrum-half with Ireland, but did recall him having done so during the Kiwi’s time in charge of Leinster.
“He has done it in the event of emergencies during my time at Leinster,” said Schmidt.
The two guys that we used were Isa Nacewa and Ian to cover nine, so he’s done a little bit of work around nine. He certainly hasn’t trained at nine with us (Ireland), but it wouldn’t be beyond the decision making process we have.”
It may be part of the decision-making process, but the final call not to bring one of Isaac Boss or Kieran Marmion alongside Murray and Reddan would represent a risk for Ireland.
Michael Cheika has rolled the dice in that regard with his Australia squad, which features only two scrum-halves and two recognised hookers.
“I see that Mario Ledesma has come out and said that (prop) Scott Sio is their cover,” said Schmidt. “I don’t know how much hooker Scott Sio has played, but if he’s played it, why not? I guess the problem is in the fixability to give people a rest, hooker being such a specialist position.
“The same at scrum-half, but I think with someone like Matt Giteau, who’s played a fair bit of scrum-half as well as covered scrum-half, I guess that’s why you can go with two.”
While the outside back options are plentiful for Schmidt, the propping positions are providing another selection headache. Ireland look set to name only five props, with the feeling being that Michael Bent may cover both loosehead and tighthead.
The Leinster man starts in the number three shirt for his province tomorrow night against Moseley, although Schmidt hinted that there are potentially other versatile props in Ireland’s ranks.
Jack McGrath had a short stint at tighthead on last summer’s tour to Argentina, while Schmidt thinks his two young tightheads may offer flexibility.
“I think you just about do, but I’d say just about,” when asked if there needed to be one versatile prop in the mix if only five are brought to the World Cup.
I think that Jack McGrath is a guy that’s flipped over and survived at tighthead and that was a fair few years ago against difficult customers. At the same time, I don’t think we’d ask it of some of the more mature guys.
“But someone like a Marty Moore or Tadhg Furlong might be able to swap over and then there’s the snug fit of having Michael Bent, who genuinely plays both sides. I think he’s going to have a hit out at tighthead tomorrow night, which we’ll watch with interest and he’s had plenty of loosehead last year with Leinster.”
Could it be that Ireland bring three looseheads and two tightheads? Or is it Schmidt merely entertaining the questions he faces and firing off a few distractions? The debate rumbles on…
What are the rules for calling up a player during the tournament?
I believe its they Can’t play for 5 days after been officially called up, injured player who their replacing can not return
Player has to be medically certified as injured. The player called up as replacement can’t play for 48hrs. Injured player cannot be recalled to the squad at a later stage.
Would both players get a medal?
Yep, anyone named in the official squad gets a medal. Carter was injured during the last world cup and was replaced by Slade, both received medals. Something I hope happens with Ireland. Winning, that is, not that someone gets injured!
Madigan should be in the squad for his fantastic hair alone.
I misread your first name and thought to myself “Jesus I wouldn’t have pegged Cian Twomey as a 42.ie subscriber” haha
Ha – that fella is my nemesis
Maybe he’ll be no.9 cover from the bench, twould make for a interesting bench anyways
Well you call from the UK so it’s have to start with +353 the you have to make sure you’ve got your roaming settings sorted.
Apart from that you can call people in freely but whomever they replace is then gone from the squad so difficulties arise when someone picks up a short term injury. Do you rule Conor Murray out for the tournament if he sprains an ankle against Canada or gamble on him recovering in time to play a part later but have Madigan on the bench as a back up nine for interim games.
If you could pick one import that could line out for Ireland in RWC:
Leinsters Isa Nacewa
Munsters Salli
Ulsters Piutau
Connachts Jake Heenan
Who would it be!
Isa is far beyond international selection. He hasn’t kicked a ball in anger for over a year.
Isa Necewa!
At his peak he would have been an amazing player for Ireland…..
If Nacewa qualifies for the list so does Howlett, who would be the obvious choice
Not sure any of them would make the cut right now.
Nacewa at his peak would have made NZ, which is why they tried so hard to make it happen.
Of all imports in Ireland, probably Pienaar is the best. That said, he would probably not start for us right now at either 9 or 10.
what more does marmion have to do to get in that squad
If he played as well in the second part of last season as he did the first he’d be no 2 to Murrary
Perform when given the opportunity?
Exactly, Chris.
With Rugby becoming more and more physical as the years go by surely it makes sense to increase the squad numbers. Isn’t it better to have more options than perhaps throwing in a player who’s carrying an injury and risking his career. There would be no negative impact in increasing the traveling squad to 36 or even more.
No, because then the bigger countries like the ABs and Boks would crush the countries with a smaller pool for their depth. Bigger squads would crush us and kill off developing nations in the sport
You’d wind up with a scenario of A teams facing the lesser teams as well which would diminish the spectacle. I like the challenge and puzzle that is the fixed squad selection, it’s something unique to a big tournament.