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The five biggest selection errors made by Ireland
Colm
Roar Guru
26th June, 2016
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Joe Schmidt and Ireland. (AFP PHOTO / PAUL FAITH)
Colm
Roar Guru
26th June, 2016
14

Some of Joe Schmidt’s selection calls have left a lot to be desired. The former Leinster coach has approached his selections with a conservatism and a lack of progressiveness. Here are in my opinion, some of Joe Schmidt’s worst selection calls.

1. Leaving Stuart McCloskey at home
Stuart McCloskey’s sheer size should surely have been utilised for this series. The Bangor Beast has been used to devastating effect by Ulster in both the European challenge cup and the pro 12. Stuart McCloskey’s form warranted selection and one wonders whether his 110kg frame from the bench would have shored up Ireland’s defence in the second Test.

2. Picking Mike Ross over Tadhg Furlong
Ross’s scrummaging has declined and his dancing feet and offloading ability can only get him so far. Mike Ross, the renowned Playstation gamer, has served Ireland with great intelligence and power over his Irish career. Ross was badly exposed by Tendai Mtawarira and no longer can he claim to be Ireland’s best No.3. With Tadhg Furlong scrummaging so well in the second Test, questions have to be asked why was he dropped?

3. Leaving Gareth Steenson at home
Ian Madigan has had arguably his worst season to date this year. As a result of this, it was no wonder that Schmidt was reluctant to bring him on in the second Test. This was despite Jackson’s tiring defence. In contrast to Madigan’s form was Gareth Steenson’s. The former Ulster player was nominated for player of year in the Aviva Premiership. If Steenson had come on to the field as a substitute he could have added to Ireland’s game management skills.

4. Not giving Ultan Dillane a start
Did Devon Toner really have to start all three Tests? Dillane has been the most in form Irish second rower this year. He had a physical impact from the bench in both the first and third Tests. The Kerry man has all the physical attributes to play as both a tighthead lock and a loosehead lock. He has an offloading and running ability which is rare for an Irish second rower.

5. Back three Selctions
As good as Andrew Trimble and Keith Earls are defensively, neither have posed a serious try threat in 2016. If Ireland are striving to push on as a rugby team they will need players with genuine threat and pace. Luckily for Ireland, they have an abundance of players with both pace and threat. At Connacht alone there is Niyi Adeolokun, Matt Healy and Tiernan O’Halloran.

Ireland have an interesting double header coming up against New Zealand in September and will need more creativity if they are to challenge the almighty.

The Irish team to challenge the All Blacks in September
15. Jared Payne
14. Matt Healy
13. Luke Marshall
12. Stuart McCloskey
11. Craig Gilroy
10. Jonathan Sexton
9. Kieran Marmion
8. Sean O’Brien
7. Peter O’Mahony
6. CJ. Stander
5. Ultan Dillane
4. Ian Henderson
3. Finlay Bealham
2. Rory Best
1. Denis Buckley

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Subs: 16. Sean Cronin, 17. Jack McGrath, 18. Tadhg Furlong, 19. Quinn Roux, 20. Rhys Ruddock, 21. Conor Murray, 22. Paddy Jackson, 23. Robbie Henshaw.

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