Murray Kinsella reports from Wembley
THERE WERE STRONG individual performances across the park from Ireland’s players as they ran in six tries in their 44-10 win over Romania at Wembley, leaving Joe Schmidt with some difficult selection decisions ahead.
Ireland take on Italy at Olympic Park next Sunday in their third pool game of the World Cup, a fixture that has long been seen as the ideal time for Schmidt to fully unleash his first-choice XV.
There were always likely to be demanding calls for the Kiwi head coach to make in the back three, but that particular dilemma has only increased after this comfortable win over the Romanians.
Rob Kearney’s glute/hip issue complicates the matter somewhat, Simon Zebo the obvious starter at fullback if Kearney does not recover, while out on the wings Dave Kearney, Keith Earls, Tommy Bowe and Luke Fitzgerald are all strong candidates.
In midfield, the expected return of Robbie Henshaw will be a relief for Ireland, but Darren Cave was excellent against Lyn Howells’ Romania, shifting out to the 13 role later in the game.
I thought there was a number of players that performed really well and will create a bit of a selection headache for us leading into Italy,” said Schmidt. “The midfield pairing (of Jared Payne and Cave) went well.
“I felt Darren Cave got through a power of work as well as making a couple of line breaks. Jared Payne, again. I thought Simon Zebo did really well. His pass for Keith Earls’ (first) try was exceptional as was Keith’s acceleration to get in at the corner.”
Earls’ second score soon after half time saw him equal Brian O’Driscoll’s record of seven World Cup tries for Ireland, and Schmidt suggested that the Limerick man will be pleased to be in such prestigious company.
“I know Keith well enough to know that he’ll be fully focused on what it means for the team,” said Schmidt.
“I thought he took the tries well and I think he’s played really well in the two games we’ve played so far, so he’ll just be focused on that and hoping that he can continue to deliver that for the team.
“I guess it’s nice for him to be mentioned in the same sentence as Brian O’Driscoll, because I suppose that’s the standard that any back in an Irish backline wants to aspire.”
On the opposite wing, Bowe looked more like the powerful and confident player Ireland fans have cherished in recent years. His aerial game was much improved, one overhead catch and inside pass to Zebo standing out, while his defence was strong.
The two tries Bowe scored were impressive finishes, particularly the first one. That first-half score came in the right corner after Ireland had failed to tie down the drifting Romania defenders on the inside.
“We certainly didn’t give him a kick,” said Schmidt of Bowe’s response to his recent bad form. “He certainly kickstarts himself. I thought he had a super game. He finished a try in the corner really well.
“I thought he was incredibly strong in the air. He made a fantastic low tackle to allow Jared Payne to get in over the ball and make a turnover in the second-half. So, on both sides of the ball, I felt that Tommy was really good today.”
It wasn’t all about the backline in Wembley, however, with Schmidt also picking out tighthead Nathan White, loosehead Cian Healy, lock Devin Toner and back rows Jamie Heaslip and Chris Henry for praise.
“Up front, Nathan White did a really good job and it’s fantastic to have Cian taking the ball forward,” said Schmidt. “He did lose a couple in the 22 which will frustrate him, but each step he takes is a bit positive for us.
Dev Toner responded to a bit of pressure really well. I thought he called the lineouts well. He physically dominated the lineout well. In the loose, I think the longer the game went on, the more Chris Henry got into it and got a couple of smart turnovers.
“To be honest, I felt Jamie led from the front. His early carries were really strong and he certainly won the collisions when he did carry and allowed us to get onto the front foot.”
A squad of 31 players with strong individual form throughout it. It’s been a positive beginning for Ireland at the World Cup.
would love to see henshaw/cave centre pairing against Italy. Payne, I think, has been poor creatively against tier 2 opposition. Think he is a better full back
Earls on one wing too.
If it’s about the line breaks, I agree. Id like to see Cave run out at 13 against Italy. If he is punching holes there against improved opposition, then I think he takes that centre shirt. Payne hasn’t done much wrong, but it’s line breaks we want, not necessarily truck it up and recycle, and he hasn’t made many in the runs I’ve seen him have for Ireland.
Good problem to have
If you had told me 3 months ago that I’d want a zebo, Dave Kearney and earls back 3 for the Italy game……..
People really don’t seem to realise that RK is nailed down.
I suspect he is (tho joe often surprises). I said the back 3 I’d want – not what I expect.
Joe really is cooking them to perfection so far.
Proud of you Keith
Payne has been terrible. Give Cave a go against Italy and see can he thrive. There is options everywhere but 13 is a massive problem and Could be The difference between winning and losing against France.
Play much?
Have played for 20 years, yourself,
37 years adult rugby and still playing.
Have played for 32 years myself. 16 as senior, 12 as junior and 4 as …… That means everything I say must be gospel! Good lord!
Murray besides being a journalist, rugby analyst, interviewer and now television commentator,all of high quality, what else have you got to offer? most impressive. Well done.
Vs Italy.
Zebo, Earls, Cave, Henshaw, Dave Kearney, Murray, Sexton
Healy Best Ross
Henderson POC
O’ Brien Henry Heaslip
Works for me… *POM to come on and cause havoc. .
POM has to start his work rate at the breakdown the sheer will to turnover ball is needed. Cave and Henshaw combination could be explosive. Wouldn’t risk Henshaw or Rob Kearney. I’d give Bowe and Earls another shot against Italy as they are both world class in top flight
I’m a huge fan of O’Mahony but the more games Henry plays with Ireland he just gets better and better. He’s an absolute menace at rucks and has really impressed me in open play this season.
So many players have progressed under Joe, but not many more than Henry. He done a very commendable job in O’Brien’s absence for a year almost… before becoming ill.
Healy in Loose, Henderson let loose from second row, O’Brien on Blindside and Henry, Heaslip and O’Connell smashing rucks just seems right.
O’Mahony and Donnacha Ryan are my replacements.
I’d have Dev as a sub over Ryan after Devs performance
As good as Healy is and will be once fully sharp, I don’t think he’ll start against Italy. I’d say they’ll give McGrath the first 50/55 mins to soften up the Italians and the unleash Healy to power through and go after the bonus point if we don’t have it already at that stage
I would like to have seen the following backline in operation .. 9. Murray 10. Sexton 11. Zebo 12 Henshaw 13 Earls 14 Bowe 15 Kearney
I think Earls deserves his place on the wing. D.K, I think will get the other wing ahead of Bowe. Cave won’t feature against the bigger teams, he may line out against Italy. R.K will start at full back with Zebo as his replacement on the bench.
Definitely some massive decisions to be made in the back three. I would like to see D.Kearney and Bowe on the wings, with earls on the bench. While I can’t see R.Kearney being dropped if fit, part of me would be delighted to see Zebo starting at fullback so we can finally put to bed the notion of “untouchable” players who are guaranteed a spot.
Nobody else impressed.
Your every Saturday night.