IT’S MORE OFTEN backline players who draw the majority of excitement from supporters and media, but Ireland’s front row is challenging the status quo.
In Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher, and Tadhg Furlong, this Irish team have one of the most dynamic, agile, and skillful front-row trios in the game. They were outstanding in the November Tests last year and look like being a point of difference for Andy Farrell’s side in the upcoming Six Nations.
Furlong’s brilliance at tighthead is nothing new but he had a superb 2021 and his expected recovery from a calf injury for this championship is a major relief for Ireland.
23-year-old Kelleher nailed down the first-choice slot last autumn with a series of explosive performances that saw him take over from previous incumbent Rob Herring, who has also seen Dan Sheehan emerge forcefully. Hooker was an area of concern for Ireland not too long ago but now looks like a strength.
The key to it all has been Porter switching back across to loosehead this season and making such a success of it.
Having been selected for the Lions as a tighthead just last year, 26-year-old Porter is now en route to becoming one of the best looseheads in the game.
“He’s a remarkable character and a remarkable individual,” says Leinster head coach Leo Cullen.
“Hopefully we’ll see him bed right in now over the next couple of months in the Six Nations and come back to us in good shape.”
Kelleher has watched Porter’s transition back to loosehead up close in Leinster and with Ireland, and has also been deeply impressed.
“It’s just a credit to him how seamless he has made it look,” says Kelleher. “It is incredibly difficult to switch over. For others, it’s learning a new position but for him, he obviously played there when he was younger in UCD and in school so he had some background there, but just how effortless he has made the switch seem has been very impressive.
“Then obviously to have himself and Tadhg on the pitch has been of incredible benefit to the whole side, just the energy and fitness he brings as a loosehead prop.”
Indeed, having both of their best props playing at the same time has been a game-changer for Ireland, with Porter and Furlong both able to carry, pass, tackle, ruck, and even jackal at the breakdown – a particular strength of Porter’s.
It’s great having an excellent starting front row but every team needs strong replacements in this area of the pitch, where impact is so important.
Ireland still have the experienced Cian Healy and Dave Kilcoyne at loosehead, while Finlay Bealham has been backing up Furlong at tighthead as Farrell looks to push Ulster’s 23-year-old Tom O’Toole into contention.
Kelleher knows that Sheehan and Herring will be breathing down his neck too.
Everyone will talk about Porter, Kelleher, and Furlong, but the other front rows could be decisive in this Six Nations.
“It’s not just the three of us, it’s everyone in the squad,” says Kelleher. “You look across the competition for places, it’s pretty impressive at the minute.
“Everyone is chomping at the bit in training, especially at scrum time, so it has been great.
“It’s nice to get the recognition that the likes of Tadhg and Ports are getting, so it’s great to be lumped in with them.”
Spot on Farrell. This isn’t mind games, Wales are a great side and the game could really go either way this Sunday. Tightest game of the round by a long stretch.
@Ultan Corcoran: this is the worst Welsh team in 15 years.
@Chris Mc: completely untrue.. they managed two wins and a draw over two championships finishing 5th both in 2006 and 2007 six nations and were eliminated from the group stages in the 2007 WC. This welsh team is made up predominantly of players who have been to a world Cup semi final, some having been to two, and as recently as 2019 won the GS. Even Ger Gilroys lobsidded moustache knows this
@PScald: ger Gilroy from off the ball is always stoking the fire, looking for a reaction. Wales may of been playing very poorly but cannot be written off. Wreckon it will be a tight game. COYBIG!!!
@Anthony O Connell: GG is a self serving POS and a complete hack..
@PScald: agreed. I like off the ball besides him
@Chris Mc: Is there really such a thing as ‘worst’ in test rugby? I don’t think so anyway. I would really really hate it now if the Welsh were to beat us, and that isn’t sarcasm, it would just be painful for all those dismissing Wales on here in recent posts and their ability, in a 2-horse race over 80mins. Anything can happen. Again…tight game and hoping Ireland will get the win by 3-7pts.
@PScald: so worst team in 14 years then
@PScald: since gatland finished they have been poor. They do have some good players but like their club sides lack any direction and show very little substance. It the Ireland 23 want to win and dont shoot themselves in the foot we will win handy enough.
@Chris Mc: sure, I dont necessarily disagree but it’s not what you said originally.
@Patrick Breen: how about make these judgements on a team 2 years on from a grand slam and WC semi final after the tournament
@PScald: form changes quick, and they’ve had a very poor season, in a similar way to us in 2019, but worse
Ireland are at their absolute worst when we’re heavy favourites, and Wales have something to prove. We’ve also won four in a row against them, so there’s no way they’re not going to show up, especially at home.
@Anthony James McLaughlin: Heavy favorites? I think we’re 2 or 3 point favorites
@Ricky Wright: Oh I wasn’t going off the bookies odds, more just the tone of the rugby press and people on social media.
I hope sexton has the Corona vaccine. A man of his age is in the vulnerable bracket!!!!
@Kevin O’brien: good one…
@Kevin O’brien: Painfully unfunny, even by your standards kEvInNnNn
Whatever we think of Ger Gilroy, it is ridiculous to see so much energy wasted getting all pissed off about it. Radio show host makes comment most people disagree with. People getting irate over nothing. He made the headlines. Job done.
@Ricky Wright: his job is to make headlines? Sorry, I thought he was a sports presenter
@Ricky Wright: it was tongue in cheek they were slagging themselves over the same comment they made back in 2019 about
There is no doubt that wales are in a bad run of form and the coach is under serious pressure to keep his job for the future.
This is why he has gone back to his experienced players but I believe that those players are just past their sell by date.
They are still very good players but I think there best days are past them and their age has to be catching up with them
I’d like to see an improvement with the line out , maul and defence. Even if we don’t win the game tomorrow you could take comfort if you saw these areas improve.
I’m still sticking with my original comment , Ireland to win by a one score game .