ONE DOWN, TWO to go. Most of us outside of Joe Schmidt’s camp went into this series considering a 66% win ratio as a positive return.
Now, however, we have beaten the world’s second best team and everything is possible.
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As ever, though, a Test against South Africa leaves our front line players nursing more bumps, bruises and injuries than you can shake an ice bag at. There are eight full days to turn the squad around, but less than a year out from the World Cup it would seem a shame not to take a Tier 2 nation as an opportunity to test out some fresh faces and new combinations.
Or maybe you think it’s more prudent to get some experienced heads back in the game so they can find their feet in time for a big push against the Wallabies.
At the time of writing, nothing is certain on the injury front, but Jared Payne is the biggest doubt after apparently spraining his foot in Saturday’s win over the Springboks. Chris Henry was a late withdrawal from the starting line-up, so he too must be marked doubtful until we see him in full training.
On the other side of the coin, Rory Best’s calf was not risked against Heyneke Meyer’s pack, so he may come back into contention. Will Gordon D’Arcy earn a recall too or will Schmidt experiment with another partner for Robbie Henshaw?
These and a host of other positions are there to be debated. The floor is yours.
Open Thread: Who would you like to see play for Ireland against Georgia next week?
ONE DOWN, TWO to go. Most of us outside of Joe Schmidt’s camp went into this series considering a 66% win ratio as a positive return.
Now, however, we have beaten the world’s second best team and everything is possible.
As ever, though, a Test against South Africa leaves our front line players nursing more bumps, bruises and injuries than you can shake an ice bag at. There are eight full days to turn the squad around, but less than a year out from the World Cup it would seem a shame not to take a Tier 2 nation as an opportunity to test out some fresh faces and new combinations.
Or maybe you think it’s more prudent to get some experienced heads back in the game so they can find their feet in time for a big push against the Wallabies.
At the time of writing, nothing is certain on the injury front, but Jared Payne is the biggest doubt after apparently spraining his foot in Saturday’s win over the Springboks. Chris Henry was a late withdrawal from the starting line-up, so he too must be marked doubtful until we see him in full training.
On the other side of the coin, Rory Best’s calf was not risked against Heyneke Meyer’s pack, so he may come back into contention. Will Gordon D’Arcy earn a recall too or will Schmidt experiment with another partner for Robbie Henshaw?
These and a host of other positions are there to be debated. The floor is yours.
O’Connell’s big 17 tackles and more vital statistics from Ireland’s win over the Springboks
‘I love a big hit’: Henshaw more than comfortable in centre of the Test arena
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Georgia Ireland November internationals November Tests pick the team rotate or retain? Rugby