SIMON ZEBO WORE the 15 shirt for Ireland in November 2012 against South Africa, starting in the same position a fortnight later as Declan Kidney’s side beat Argentina in convincing fashion.
The Munster man has spent time in the position both with province and country since, and even flitted into central attacking positions against Wales last weekend in Cardiff after replacing Andrew Trimble.
Zebo's excellent pass set up Felix Jones last weekend. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
Now the 25-year-old gets his latest chance to start at fullback as Joe Schmidt looks for players to prove their versatility ahead of Ireland naming their final 31-man World Cup squad at the end of the month.
“He’s trained pretty much throughout the week at fullback and it’s something that we’re trying to do,” said Schmidt at Carton House this afternoon. ”It was a little bit like Keith Earls last week, I thought he went really well in the centre and we know he can play really well on the wing.
It’s the versatility that some of those players are going to need in the back five, I guess, it’s an opportunity for people to demonstrate their versatility and hopefully give us a bit of confidence that we can call upon them in different positions.”
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Zebo is on the record as greatly enjoying being positioned at 15, rather than his usual slot on the left wing, highlighting the increased amount of touches he gets from a more central position.
While he looks to impress at the back, Gordon D’Arcy is another of the 14 changes to Ireland’s XV. The veteran centre appeared to be out of the picture when dropped from the Six Nations squad back in March, but now gets his opportunity.
Asked if this is D’Arcy’s final chance to stake a World Cup claim, Schmidt said that is true of many players.
“I think everyone is (in that boat), to be honest,” said the Ireland coach. “We’re on tight timeframes now and everyone’s under pressure, including the coaching staff to make as will informed decisions as possible. Part of the information we get to make those decisions is this week.
Jack Conan is set for his Ireland debut. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
“I think I said last week that those two 40-minute windows are a litmus test. Some players have been training well and he (D’Arcy) is one of them. Hopefully he can demonstrate that up against a reasonably experienced (Scotland midfield) pairing.”
Jack Conan steps into Ireland’s team for his international debut on Saturday at the Aviva Stadium (KO 17.00), the Leinster man being the latest in a long line of impressive back row players developed on these shores.
The injury to Tommy O’Donnell has shorn Ireland of one other back row option, meaning Conan is perhaps slightly closer to the final squad now. Even if that’s not the case, international experience would be vital if Conan is to be on standby during the tournament.
I think he had a good finish to the season, he impressed on the Emerging tour – and we wanted to reward people who did impress on that tour – and he’s impressed in training thus far,” said Schmidt of Conan.
“He’s earned the right to have the opportunity and we hope that he acquits himself really well.
“Obviously he doesn’t play quite the same position as Tommy, but he’s back row and unfortunately Tommy’s injury has probably put a little bit of pressure on the back row resources we have within the squad.
“I think everyone in the back row will get an opportunity and we’ll go from there.”
Ireland look for Zebo to prove 'versatility' after Conan earns debut
SIMON ZEBO WORE the 15 shirt for Ireland in November 2012 against South Africa, starting in the same position a fortnight later as Declan Kidney’s side beat Argentina in convincing fashion.
The Munster man has spent time in the position both with province and country since, and even flitted into central attacking positions against Wales last weekend in Cardiff after replacing Andrew Trimble.
Now the 25-year-old gets his latest chance to start at fullback as Joe Schmidt looks for players to prove their versatility ahead of Ireland naming their final 31-man World Cup squad at the end of the month.
“He’s trained pretty much throughout the week at fullback and it’s something that we’re trying to do,” said Schmidt at Carton House this afternoon. ”It was a little bit like Keith Earls last week, I thought he went really well in the centre and we know he can play really well on the wing.
Zebo is on the record as greatly enjoying being positioned at 15, rather than his usual slot on the left wing, highlighting the increased amount of touches he gets from a more central position.
While he looks to impress at the back, Gordon D’Arcy is another of the 14 changes to Ireland’s XV. The veteran centre appeared to be out of the picture when dropped from the Six Nations squad back in March, but now gets his opportunity.
Asked if this is D’Arcy’s final chance to stake a World Cup claim, Schmidt said that is true of many players.
“I think everyone is (in that boat), to be honest,” said the Ireland coach. “We’re on tight timeframes now and everyone’s under pressure, including the coaching staff to make as will informed decisions as possible. Part of the information we get to make those decisions is this week.
“I think I said last week that those two 40-minute windows are a litmus test. Some players have been training well and he (D’Arcy) is one of them. Hopefully he can demonstrate that up against a reasonably experienced (Scotland midfield) pairing.”
Jack Conan steps into Ireland’s team for his international debut on Saturday at the Aviva Stadium (KO 17.00), the Leinster man being the latest in a long line of impressive back row players developed on these shores.
The injury to Tommy O’Donnell has shorn Ireland of one other back row option, meaning Conan is perhaps slightly closer to the final squad now. Even if that’s not the case, international experience would be vital if Conan is to be on standby during the tournament.
“He’s earned the right to have the opportunity and we hope that he acquits himself really well.
“Obviously he doesn’t play quite the same position as Tommy, but he’s back row and unfortunately Tommy’s injury has probably put a little bit of pressure on the back row resources we have within the squad.
“I think everyone in the back row will get an opportunity and we’ll go from there.”
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Ireland Jack Conan Simon Zebo SPARK Scotland Warm-up World Cup