IRELAND WERE KEEN to talk about Canada yesterday but questions on the win over the All Blacks in Chicago just kept on coming.
That’s entirely natural of course, and there is certainly real pride within the camp at having finally knocked off the Kiwis at the 29th attempt. The issue is that Ireland have a Test match in Dublin in just three days’ time.
Simon Zebo and Luke McGrath head for Ireland training yesterday. Donall Farmer / INPHO
Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO
It would be one of the great rugby shocks if Mark Anscombe’s Canada, ranked as the 18th best team in the world, were to emerge with a win but in Joe Schmidt’s world every opponent gets the same degree of attention and respect.
There will be wholesale changes to Ireland’s matchday 23, as was always going to be the case, but we can rest assured that the players involved will be as well prepared for the Canadians as those involved last week were for the All Blacks.
Chief among the returning players are Sean O’Brien and Peter O’Mahony, both leaders in this squad for a number of years and both men who missed out on last weekend’s historic victory.
O’Mahony got through 72 minutes of Munster’s win over the Ospreys last weekend, while O’Brien completed 58 of Leinster’s success in Zebre.
“I think it was good that we didn’t take them to Chicago to play against New Zealand, for a number of reasons,” said Ireland assistant coach Simon Easterby yesterday.
“They’ve both come back from long-term injuries and I think it’s kind of a little bit of a risk sometimes to feel that you’ve got to go out and pick a team for a certain game.
Advertisement
Peter O'Mahony is set for his Test return. Donall Farmer / INPHO
Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO
“Both of them got game time at the weekend, got more time under their belt and I think that will only serve them well in terms of their preparation.”
Both O’Brien and O’Mahony were on media duties in Carton House yesterday, sent out to set a tone for the rest of the squad and to remind us all that Ireland are serious about this Canadian Test.
O’Mahony hasn’t played for Ireland since suffering his ACL injury during last year’s World Cup, while O’Brien last featured in the Six Nations clash with France.
Both men would have insisted they were ready for last weekend’s Test in Chicago, and would have been hugely frustrated to miss out on helping to make history, but Easterby said they were models of professionalism in their reactions.
I think they’re not the only ones who didn’t have an opportunity to travel, so I think that’s what happens in sport – whether it’s professional or amateur – if you don’t get selected it’s how you deal with that as individual,” said Easterby.
“The good thing for us, I feel, is that those guys coming back in – not just Seanie and Pete, but everyone coming back in – if they get the opportunity they want to make a mark this weekend and prepare themselves really well for the Test game.”
Another man to miss the New Zealand clash was Paddy Jackson, left at home for personal reasons.
Jackson and John Ryan are in the mix. Donall Farmer / INPHO
Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO
The Ulsterman was rested for his province’s Pro12 defeat in Edinburgh, but is very much in the Ireland mix this week.
“Paddy’s good,” said Easterby. “What he showed in the summer in South Africa was what we all expected of him. He stood up and really led the team under really difficult circumstances at times.
“He was assured, he was controlled and he’s on good form. He’s obviously dealing with other things outside of the environment, which we’ll leave him get on with, but in terms of what he’s doing here, he’s focused on trying to perform if selected this week.”
The likes of Keith Earls, Finlay Bealham, Sean Cronin, Cian Healy, Ultan Dillane, Craig Gilroy, Luke Marshall, and Garry Ringrose could all to come into Ireland’s starting XV this week. Fitness permitting, Iain Henderson may be involved too.
Meanwhile, the likes of Niyi Adeolokun, Billy Holland, John Ryan and Luke McGrath should make their Test debuts at the Aviva Stadium.
“I think obviously there’ll be an assumption that we’ll make changes and I think the good thing from our perspective is that there was a massive marker laid down last weekend,” said Easterby.
Ireland supporters would be excited to see Adeolokun get a shot. Donall Farmer / INPHO
Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO
“When players came into camp [on Monday] night, the ones that weren’t involved, there was a bit of buzz and anticipation for what they might be able to bring this weekend.
“Those players coming in who get the opportunity to start this weekend have got to draw a line in the sand and start again. It’s great that we have an opportunity to play a game at the weekend after such a great performance last weekend.”
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
Ireland likely to ring the changes as POM and SOB return for Canada
IRELAND WERE KEEN to talk about Canada yesterday but questions on the win over the All Blacks in Chicago just kept on coming.
That’s entirely natural of course, and there is certainly real pride within the camp at having finally knocked off the Kiwis at the 29th attempt. The issue is that Ireland have a Test match in Dublin in just three days’ time.
It would be one of the great rugby shocks if Mark Anscombe’s Canada, ranked as the 18th best team in the world, were to emerge with a win but in Joe Schmidt’s world every opponent gets the same degree of attention and respect.
There will be wholesale changes to Ireland’s matchday 23, as was always going to be the case, but we can rest assured that the players involved will be as well prepared for the Canadians as those involved last week were for the All Blacks.
Chief among the returning players are Sean O’Brien and Peter O’Mahony, both leaders in this squad for a number of years and both men who missed out on last weekend’s historic victory.
O’Mahony got through 72 minutes of Munster’s win over the Ospreys last weekend, while O’Brien completed 58 of Leinster’s success in Zebre.
“I think it was good that we didn’t take them to Chicago to play against New Zealand, for a number of reasons,” said Ireland assistant coach Simon Easterby yesterday.
“They’ve both come back from long-term injuries and I think it’s kind of a little bit of a risk sometimes to feel that you’ve got to go out and pick a team for a certain game.
“Both of them got game time at the weekend, got more time under their belt and I think that will only serve them well in terms of their preparation.”
Both O’Brien and O’Mahony were on media duties in Carton House yesterday, sent out to set a tone for the rest of the squad and to remind us all that Ireland are serious about this Canadian Test.
O’Mahony hasn’t played for Ireland since suffering his ACL injury during last year’s World Cup, while O’Brien last featured in the Six Nations clash with France.
Both men would have insisted they were ready for last weekend’s Test in Chicago, and would have been hugely frustrated to miss out on helping to make history, but Easterby said they were models of professionalism in their reactions.
“The good thing for us, I feel, is that those guys coming back in – not just Seanie and Pete, but everyone coming back in – if they get the opportunity they want to make a mark this weekend and prepare themselves really well for the Test game.”
Another man to miss the New Zealand clash was Paddy Jackson, left at home for personal reasons.
The Ulsterman was rested for his province’s Pro12 defeat in Edinburgh, but is very much in the Ireland mix this week.
“Paddy’s good,” said Easterby. “What he showed in the summer in South Africa was what we all expected of him. He stood up and really led the team under really difficult circumstances at times.
“He was assured, he was controlled and he’s on good form. He’s obviously dealing with other things outside of the environment, which we’ll leave him get on with, but in terms of what he’s doing here, he’s focused on trying to perform if selected this week.”
The likes of Keith Earls, Finlay Bealham, Sean Cronin, Cian Healy, Ultan Dillane, Craig Gilroy, Luke Marshall, and Garry Ringrose could all to come into Ireland’s starting XV this week. Fitness permitting, Iain Henderson may be involved too.
Meanwhile, the likes of Niyi Adeolokun, Billy Holland, John Ryan and Luke McGrath should make their Test debuts at the Aviva Stadium.
“I think obviously there’ll be an assumption that we’ll make changes and I think the good thing from our perspective is that there was a massive marker laid down last weekend,” said Easterby.
“When players came into camp [on Monday] night, the ones that weren’t involved, there was a bit of buzz and anticipation for what they might be able to bring this weekend.
“Those players coming in who get the opportunity to start this weekend have got to draw a line in the sand and start again. It’s great that we have an opportunity to play a game at the weekend after such a great performance last weekend.”
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
Analysis: How did Ireland finally beat the All Blacks?
Earls glad to see Foley remembered with ‘phenomenal’ tribute in front of Haka
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Changes Keith Earls Next Job November Tests pom Sean O'Brien Simon Easterby sob Wholesale Changes