Joe Schmidt has picked his side to face Wales in the first match of Ireland’s warm-up series for the World Cup, at the Millennium Stadium this Saturday.
The team has an experimental look to it, with captain Jaimie Heaslip and prop Mike Ross the only frontline players selected.
Keith Earls and Donncha Ryan make their first appearances in an Irish jersey in nearly three years (both have dealt with a number of injuries that have kept them out of the team), in what will be their first match under Schmidt.
There is capable experience on the bench, with Rory Best, Ian Madigan and Simon Zebo featuring.
The most important selection is Paddy Jackson at out-half. Schmidt will want to see how he marshals a team. With Jonny Sexton the first choice out-half, the main battle will be to decide his replacement, with Jackson and Madigan the top two contenders.
While a number of players are guaranteed to start in the World Cup games (Rob Kearney, Tommy Bowe, Jonny Sexton, Conor Murray, Heaslip, Sean O’Brien, Paul O’Connell, Best, Ross) there are still some positions that are up for grabs, especially at centre, where no player has made significant inroads. Schmidt is required to pick a squad of 31 by the end of August.
Ireland will play four warm-up matches, against Wales (twice), Scotland and England. The World Cup starts for Ireland on September 19, when they face Canada. Ireland are also matched against Italy, Romania and France in Pool D.
Ireland won seven of their eight games in the 2014-15 season, with wins against big guns like Australia, South Africa, England and France. Their only loss was against Wales en route to the 2015 Six Nations trophy.
The players will have a tough time in the warm-up games, while wanting to impress the selectors (Fergus McFadden has stated that the players are treating the match as a full Test rather than as a friendly) they won’t want to risk serious injury which will keep them out of the tournament.
Cian Healy is Ireland’s only injury concern at this moment, with management confident that he will be fit in time for the tournament proper. Schmidt’s will be hoping Ireland get through the warm-up games with a good run-out for the players and no injuries. Results are rather irrelevant.
Ireland
15 Felix Jones, 14 Andrew Trimble, 13 Keith Earls, 12 Darren Cave, 11 Fergus McFadden, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Eoin Reddan, 8 Jamie Heaslip (c), 7 Tommy O’Donnell, 6 Jordi Murphy, 5 Donnacha Ryan, 4 Iain Henderson, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Richardt Strauss, 1 Jack McGrath
Replacements: 16 Rory Best, 17 Dave Kilcoyne, 18 Michael Bent, 19 Dan Tuohy, 20 Chris Henry, 21 Kieran Marmion, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Simon Zebo
DECLAN MURPHY
Roar Guru
Tommy O'Donnell has become the first Irish rugby player to be ruled out of the World Cup, after suffering a hip injury in the warm-up game against Wales. We wish him a speedy recovery. This is a blow to Ireland's hopes as O'Donnell is a great player and would have been utilised. Andrew Trimble is also an injury concern after suffering damage to his foot. It is yet unknown as to the extent of the damage. This is the worst possible news for Ireland. No team wants to lose any players in any of these warm-up games. Hopefully, these will be the last injuries but I doubt it.
Bakkies
Guest
Too many penalties were given away when Wales were in attack. McFadden didn't cover his wing when the try was scored down his wing and Walker fumbled his chance. Ireland looked sharper in Rugby basics and actually passed better than certain teams who have had three or more competitive fixtures. Welsh depth is non existent in the front five. Hibbard and Ball didn't shine at all. Tipuric had a stormer 21 tackles, couple of turnovers and scored a cracking try. Set up another. Donnacha Ryan made 17 tackles. Heaslip had a good game and was carrying a lot better. Cave, Earls and Trimble pick of the backs.
Derm
Roar Guru
Wales 21-35 Ireland was the result. It was men against boys for most of the match - a couple of consolation tries at the end made the scoreline more respectable. Not sure how much Schmidt may have learned from what was a fairly lop-sided game. Still, Felix Jones proved himself an admirable back-up in the 15 shirt. Trimble is eager to get back to his player of the season form from 2014. Earls looked very lively too in the 13 shirt - wonder if he'll bump Payne out of the position though. Feel for Tommy O'Donnell who has played very well for Ireland in recent times - may have been crocked and be out of the RWC as a result. Ross and McGrath confirmed their places in the final 31. Not so sure about Strauss at hooker. Most importantly was how Jackson would go at ten. To my mind, he was middling to fair - his goal-kicking was way off the radar though. It'll be interesting to see who Schmidt cuts from the wider training squad before next week's test against Scotland.
Bakkies
Guest
North ruled out still has concussion problems.
Redbull
Guest
That's a nice side to try to build some back-up. I recall most of them wearing an emerald jersey at some point. Paddy Jackson must be near enough to last chance. Has shown promise while Sexton was injured but never consistency. Madigan has the consistency but have seen more playmaking from Jackson. Good to see Donncha Ryan back in the team. He showed huge promise at one point
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Thanks for that Declan. Pity we wont get this game on fox though. As rob said it looks like both ireland and wales are doing what the pumas have been doing during this RC I.e. looking at fringe players before the final squad is named. Wales: H Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons); A Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), T Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons), S Williams (Scarlets, capt), E Walker (Ospreys); J Hook (Gloucester Rugby), M Phillips (Racing Metro); N Smith (Ospreys), R Hibbard (Gloucester), A Jarvis (Ospreys), J Ball (Scarlets), D Day (Bath Rugby), R Moriarty (Gloucester Rugby), J Tipuric (Ospreys, vice-capt), D Baker (Ospreys). Replacements: R Evans (Scarlets), K Dacey (Cardiff Blues), S Andrews (Cardiff Blues), J King (Ospreys), T Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons), Ll Williams (Cardiff Blues), G Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), M Morgan (Bristol Rugby).
ThugbyFan
Guest
Good work Declan, nice to get news on teams from the lesser hemisphere. :) Seems strange to pick a team with only two regulars in it to see how individuals mould into a fixed team pattern such as Ireland. Australia has been trialling players here also but always just a few "new" players in a fairly fixed team. How is Wales taking these two matches? Full team or Wales Hopefuls also? Good luck to Ireland in the RWC, I guess (hope) we see you in the semi-finals. Gooooo the Wally-Bees.
RobC
Roar Guru
Excellent wrap Declan, thanks. Looks like many teams are furiously working on squad depth. I do wonder what cards Wales have up their sleeves.
DECLAN MURPHY
Roar Guru
Just to say that when I was talking about Jackson and Madigan they'd be in competition over who would be Sexton's understudy.