Ireland Six Nations Review
Ireland ended their 6 Nations campaign with a 35-25 win over Scotland in the Aviva on Saturday. This was the second win of a Championship that has left a lot to be desired with a draw at home to Wales and two defeats to France and England.
Ireland will know that this Championship was disappointing but out of disappointment grows hope and the introduction of some new blood into the squad can’t but help the doom and gloom that has surrounded the squad over the last 6 weeks or so. With players like CJ Stander , Ultan Dillane and Josh Van Der Flier in the forwards not to mention guys like Stuart Mc Closkey , Kieran Marmion getting the opportunity to shine on the big stage after some stirring club performances.
Countries like England who had a poor World Cup have changed coach and have also had a real clear out of both playing and coaching staff and this new injection of talent had the desired effect with England claiming a Grand Slam with a win over France on Saturday evening.
Eddie Jones had made an instant impact with England getting them to play with more physicality and no little skill that has seen them go with two 10s in the backline , Owen Farrell being picked at inside centre to complement George Ford at 10. He has also upped the pace at 9 with snappy scrum halves Ben Youngs and Danny Care battling it out to partner Ford at half back.
Back to Ireland they at this moment in time are highly dependent on the axis of Murray and Sexton with Kieran Marmion , Eoin Redden , Ian Madigan and Paddy Jackson currently the 4 men trying to displace the first choice pairing. Ireland seem to be happy to go from tournament to tournament with no real forward planning, Sexton has no real challenger at 10 with Murray under slightly more pressure with players like Kieran Marmion of Connacht , John Cooney of Connacht and Luke Mc Grath of Leinster pushing for International honours.
In the forwards injuries to Peter O Mahony , Sean O Brien and Iain Henderson along with the retirement of Paul O Connell has opened up the door for guys like Ultan Dillane , Josh Van Der Flier and CJ Stander to stamp their mark on this current squad with all three men doing exactly that during this Championship.
In the backs , opportunity knocks as injuries again opened doors for Stuart Mc Closkey , Simon Zebo and Andrew Trimble who came in to replace the likes of Rob Kearney , Tommy Bowe and Jared Payne at various times in the last couple of weeks.
Next up for Ireland is a three test series in South Africa and after the last 6 weeks , this Series will be looked upon by some as a real chance to unleash guys like Gary Ringrose , Stuart Mc Closkey and Andrew Conway along with some young forwards namely Finlay Bealham , Denis Buckley and Duncan Casey. Other players will get the chance over the three games in South Africa. This is a chance also to pick up a rare win in South Africa.
Joe Schmidt has admitted that at the end of the tour in South Africa he will decide on his long term future as to whether he will lead Ireland into the 2019 World Cup which will take place in Japan. Like his last contract extension his personal circumstances will dictate whether he will or won’t lead Ireland into the next World Cup.
Ireland will realise that 4th place in the 6 Nations is not what they expect , not long ago Ireland were the team who picked up the wooden spoon or a regular basis but in the last 18 years things have changed and let’s hope this 4th place finish was a one off and from the June Series into the 4 games next November that Ireland can rediscover that winning feeling…..
By
Cian Mc Gibney
21/03/2016
