Ireland were back in 6 Nations action this past weekend where they played Wales in Cardiff defeating them 27-18. It was a resurgent Wales under Matt Sherrett who has stated that his time at the helm of Wales will be short term.
Amazing what can be achieved when you select players in the correct position with Gareth Anscombe at 10 and Ben Thomas at inside centre in the 12 jersey. They ultimately fell short in the hope of ending a long losing streak but there are certainly things that the Welsh public can be hopeful for heading into the last two rounds of this season’s campaign.
Ireland made a number of changes with men like Thomas Clarkson, Jack Boyle and Gus Mc Carthy coming into the 23. We have had a look at the future of the Irish tight head jersey over the past few weeks where Clarkson, Bealham have shared the duties in the number 3 jersey.
Tadgh Furlong isn’t too far from a return but I feel minutes with Leinster could benefit the veteran tight head next weekend in the URC before a possible return to the international fold against an in form France in Dublin on Saturday week.
Ireland won’t be pleased with certain aspects of the performance from Saturday where a large number of scrum penalties were given up. Similar to November, a large volume of penalties given up and that stifled any hope from an Irish perspective of gaining momentum and playing the game on their own terms.
That of course means, there is plenty to work on when they assemble to look ahead to France later on this week. Dan Sheehan will be happy enough with his first outing as Ireland skipper where he was able to lean on Peter O Mahony if he felt the need to.
Sam Prendergast rolled back the years with his version of the spiral kick to evoke memories of Ronan O Gara and although Wales targeted him with Max Llewellyn running down his channel along with Ben Thomas doing likewise when the chance arose.
He was speed bump on occasion and will need to work on his defence because you can be sure France will send their big ball carriers to test his mettle early on in Dublin. He will need to be squeaky clean with his technique because as was seen on Saturday with the Garry Ringrose 20 minute red card, one wrong move and your game is over.
Ireland will have to re jig the 23 to face Wales as Ringrose will most likely miss out due to suspension and that will mean a change to the makeup of the Irish bench.
Players from the extended squad will be called upon, Most likely Bundee Aki will partner Robbie Henshaw but that will leave an opening on the Ireland bench. Will Calvin Nash earn a recall in the 23 jersey or will someone else benefit from Ringrose’s misfortune.
Simon Easterby has seen Ireland behind to both England and Wales and find a way back into the contest and then go on and win both games. The lapses in concentration in both of those games will be ruthlessly exposed by France if you let them. Yes Ireland have a strong recent record against France beating them in Dublin in 2023 and then on night one of the 2024 campaign in Marseilles.
France put Italy to the sword yesterday in Rome showing no mercy winning 73-24, that was a statement of intent from Fabien Galthie’s men. They took the South African approach of a 7/1 split on the bench and married it perfectly with a ruthless attacking display that saw them score 11 tries.
Ireland you feel won’t allow the time and space on the ball that Italy afforded France in particular in that second half. Ireland’s win in Cardiff along with the ruthless display from France in Rome means it is all to play for in the Aviva Stadium on Saturday week. It is all to play for hold on your hats and enjoy the ride for 80 minutes the next day….
Ireland A faced England A in Bristol yesterday where England A came out on top winning 28-12. This game was played in the wind and rain and although Ireland began brightly leading 5-0 early on, England grew into the game and there accuracy in attack alongside a faltering Irish line out helped turned the tide and they saw the game through scoring a solid and deserved 28-12 win.
Ireland A and Munster in particular will be left counting the cost of that game yesterday with Diarmuid Barron leaving the game early for a HIA and not returning. Then Shane Daly suffered a serious looking leg injury when trying to tackle Ollie Hassell Collins.
Late on in the second half Oli Jager was withdrawn after coming in early on in the second half to replace Jack Aungier.
It will be game that will be forgotten by Ireland A but is still something that can be used to bridge the gap between the senior international side and the group of players just under the main group of internationals.