Joe Schmidt has announced his 32-man Ireland squad to tour South Africa in a three-Test series this June.
Connacht and South Africa seem to be the major winners, with five players from the surprise success of the western province, and three residency-qualified South African players to boost their forward stocks. With two Kiwis, and an Australian also in the squad, Ireland are fast becoming the Project Player Nation as they face the Springboks undergoing Nation Transformation.
In cooking, the head chef sometimes creates a roux sauce to thicken up an existing dish and give it more consistency. Schmidt has selected his own Roux to strengthen Ireland’s forward stock. Quinn Roux, a former Western Province player in SA, now plays for Ireland’s western province, Connacht.
Roux moved to Leinster on a one-year deal back in 2012. He then got a two-year extension. In his second season, he was loaned out to development province Connacht for a few months to get some games. Then the loan was extended until the end of the season and the completion of his Leinster contract. Leinster didn’t want to renew but Connacht offered him another two-year contract. He qualified for Ireland on residency last year but wasn’t considered. Now Schmidt has decided to give him the nod – and he joins fellow countrymen, CJ Stander and Richardt Strauss in the Ireland squad.
Another tour newbie is Australian-born, Finlay Balham who moved to Ireland at 19 to see if he could get pro contract after failing to make the Brumbies academy. His mother’s family is from Ireland and he started to play for a local club, then got a chance with Ireland U20s, went to Ulster and then moved to Connacht. He was capped in the Six Nations this year.
Sean Reidy, a Kiwi playing for Counties Manakau, upped sticks to take a one-year contract with Ulster in 2014. His grandmother is from Kerry. He was given a two-year extension by Ulster, and may gain his first cap on tour.
The rest of the Ireland squad is more familiar, but also contains some conspicuous absences with Cian Healy, Sean O’Brien, Tommy Bowe, Peter O’Mahony, and Simon Zebo on the injury list.
Other Test players such as Ulster flanker, Chris Henry, Munster opensider Tommy O’Donnell, and 10/12 utility back Ian Madigan have not made the cut, although the latter’s impending move to France next season may have had some bearing on his non-selection.
The front row has a familiar enough look with Ross, Best and McGrath likely to be the starters. Devin Toner is likely to be joined by newcomer, Ultan Dillane, the Connacht lock fast making a name for himself. An alternative might be the rumbling Ulster giant Iain Henderson.
In the backrow, Heaslip will be anchoring Stander at 6, and either Ruddock or Reidy at 7.
Murray and Sexton will form the half-back partnership, with Ulster playmaker Paddy Jackson on the bench. Connacht’s Kieran Marmion, a nominee for player of the season back home, may get the nod for the bench ahead of the highly-experienced Eoin Reddan.
Schmidt will be looking for experience and defensive prowess in his backline, particularly midfield, and he’s likely to go with Henshaw and Payne, as he favours the Kiwi’s defensive nous that was critically missing in the Rugby World Cup against Argentina. Two of Payne’s Ulster colleagues, Stuart Olding and Luke Marshall will be hoping to get some midfield gametime during the series.
Schmidt likes his left wingers to be left-footed, and with Zebo out of the picture, Keith Earls is the likely choice, with Dave Kearney or Andrew Trimble taking the other wing spot, and anchored by Rob Kearney.
Schmidt might throw the dice and put Payne in his favoured position at full-back, but unlikely in the first Test that he and his squad will be targeting for a first-ever victory on South African soil.
Can Ireland do it? The bookies say no, but every now and then, they lose on a bet. Here’s hoping.
Props
Finlay Bealham (Corinthians/Connacht)
Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster)
Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster)
David Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Jack McGrath (St Marys/Leinster)
Hookers
Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster) (capt)
Sean Cronin (St Marys/Leinster)
Richardt Strauss (Old Wesley/Leinster)
Locks
Ultan Dillane (Corinthians/Connacht)
Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
Quinn Roux (Galwegians/Connacht)
Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster)
Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Backrows
Jamie Heaslip (Dublin University/Leinster) (vc)
Jordi Murphy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Sean Reidy (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
Rhys Ruddock (St Marys/Leinster)
CJ Stander (Munster)
Half-backs
Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)
Kieran Marmion (Corinthians/Connacht)
Eoin Reddan (Old Crescent/Leinster)
Jonathan Sexton (St Marys/Leinster)
Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster)
Midfield
Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht)
Luke Marshall (Ballymena/Ulster)
Stuart Olding (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
Jared Payne (Ulster)
Back 3
Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster)
Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock/Leinster)
David Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster)
Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster)
Derm
Roar Guru
Sexton is likely out of squad from injury so Jackson likely to start and probably Madigan to come into the squad.
Derm
Roar Guru
Healy may be added to the squad after all now that Luke Fitzgerald is out with yet another injury unfortunately. Schmidt said one of the Connacht back three would be in contention saying that Healy's left foot would be a like to like swap with Fitzgerald.
bazza
Guest
South Africa ;)
Bakkies
Guest
Fitzgerald and Dave Kearney got ruthlessly torn apart by Niyi and Healy. Sexton kicked far too long to the Connacht back three and Leinster were punished. He won't be doing that at the end of the year. Te'o got well and truly Bundeed. By the 60 minute mark Te'o had missed 7 tackles and only carried for 3 metres. Aki had already wrapped 40 metres, no missed tackles and assisted in Adelokun try.
Colm
Roar Guru
As if to prove to your point, Adelokoun was a constant threat in the pro 12 final, while Dave Kearney got obliterated in defence by Dillane.
Bakkies
Guest
This is the backline I would like to see 9. Murray 10. Sexton 11. Gilroy 12. McCloskey 13. Ringrose 14. Adelokoun 15. Henshaw Marmion, Payne and Jackson as backline subs. For those who haven't seen Olding play he is very similar to what Giteau was at the same age.
Bakkies
Guest
He has been deadly since. Schmidt can no longer justify the selections of Dave Kearney and McFadden. Yes Zebo is out but Dave Kearney hasn't been playing well enough and there are better options. Gilroy, Healy, Adelokoun, Conway should be added to the Irish 7s squad. People rabbit on about Gilroy and Healy's defence but both Kearneys, McFadden and Tommy Bowe have made poor defensive reads and rarely get crucified for it. You would often see McFadden covering the wrong wing or stuck in the middle of the pitch tracking back. Gilroy and Healy aside a lot of the bad reads are due to being institutionalised by the overrated Les Kiss' narrow defensive system which Argentina ruthlessly exposed on the outside. Munster used it as well but after one week with Andy Farrell the new Irish defence coach made a world of defence. Even the so called weaker defenders like Keatley and Zebo were making offensive tackles and strong reads. Munster were pushing up and covering the width of the pitch.
ThugbyFan
Guest
There will come a day when Scotland, Ireland or France will field 15 players, all born and raised in the SH who happen to play for the coin in some clubs within that country, and so all qualify under this shabby 3-year rule. Maybe the union of that country will play no local rugby that day, so true born and bred Scots, Irish or Frogs can come along and see how well the mercenaries are playing for their country. Really sad.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
I look forward to it :-)
Derm
Roar Guru
Well, in fairness, Olding was out injured for half the season, only returning in January after long lay-off. I suspect that Schmidt & Co have selected him because they know what McCloskey can do, Olding is only 22? and could have a bright future - he needs more exposure test level. In addition, he's more versatile for the squad given he plays full-back as well as centre. McCloskey is the sabre compared to Olding's rapier. Henshaw is the first pick 12 at the moment, so McCloskey would likely be back-up and not even on the match day bench. Olding could take the 23 shirt since he can kick, field, as well as play 12/15. Gilroy may be a good try scorer with 10 for the season of his 19 league games - but he's only 1 ahead of Healy and Nacewa, so I wouldn't describe him exactly as rapacious. Equally, Healy's total of 9 includes a hat-trick against a hapless Zebre side - and that was over 21 games. My point about the squad numbers was that you said wanted to have more Connacht players in the squad - I was setting out the changes in provincial terms based on your suggestions. Leinster 14 to 11, Ulster 8 to 9, Connacht 5 to 8, and Munster 5 to 4.
sully
Roar Rookie
Very quick kid also has some power he has put on a bit of bulk but not effecting his speed and footwork Joe had him in the Ireland squad in last years 6n never made it past the training paddock but at least Joe is aware of him
sully
Roar Rookie
I totally agree I would have loved to seen younger players in the squad or at least a few on form players, also agree about the lock position him and Sean reidy should count themselves very lucky to be going along
Mike
Guest
look I've no problem with conservative selections that's fine..but your form players not even making the squad? That's a problem. Surely Healy should be training with the senior squad. Also who is the back up full back? Tiernan O'halloran should be back up full back as the form full back in the country. Maybe Joe will put a spanner in the works! Payne full back? Henshaw 13 with Fitzgerald 12?
Bakkies
Guest
Adeloukon is also in form and seriously quick. Irish eligible since his mid teens
Bakkies
Guest
Makes no sense having Strauss or Lambie as captain. Bismarck is still your best hooker and Lambie doesn't have a position in the starting side.
Colm
Roar Guru
Hi James, the phrase by Dolores Ibarruri is apt here i think, "It is better to die on one's feet than to live on one's knees,". If Ireland are to lose, which i think is likely most supporters would prefer to see younger players getting vital experience. Ross Molony and Mick Kearney are so much more deserving. Alan O'Connor could also be considered unlucky.
Colm
Roar Guru
I'm not opposed to playing a 12-13 combo of McCloskey and Marshall. Imo, it's more logical to play players in their actual positions. I want Olding to earn his place in the Ireland team. He is clearly second choice for Ulster at this moment, behind McCloskey. I'm not sure if you watched the Ulster vs Toulon game earlier this year. Tolouse are a similar team to the springboks( i.e. a huge forward pack) and Stuart McCloskey was one of the main reasons Ulster won. "You want to drop 4 Leinster players, 2 Ulster players, 1 Munster player and add in three Connacht players, 3 Ulster players and 1 Leinster player – is that it?" I'm not sure what you're implying here can you explain please?
sully
Roar Rookie
Gilroy has the attacking ability but he is weak defensively that was exposed in the semi, Joe S has made some strange choices and I rate joe very highly and in my eyes he can't do much wrong but this squad could and should have been different. For one I don't understand the Ready call he is a 7 that has been playing 8 Ireland have better options for 7 Dom Ryan been one of them not to mention Chris Henry, Geordie Murphy will start at 7 which is another worry the kid ain't a 7 a great 6/8 but not a 7. Not having Stuart Mccloskey is also maddenes he is the first centre of his kind available to Ireland in the last 10 or so years "Kevin Maggs" comes to mind as the last. Matt Healy and Tiernan O Halloran must also be considered TOH has been going about his business very quietly and excellent all season while been captain at times plus he's been at Connacht as a starter when injury free for about 8 years or so and he is under 28years old quiet a shame Matt Healy has worked hard on his defence and could rip the boks apart so cant understand him not been selected. As for Quin Roux I'm speechless there are so many other options at lock for Ireland that are young and talented Ross Molony, Dave foley, Dan Touhy even mick Kearney has looked better. I'm worried about the tour I think Joe will go with the usual and the boks will have a playbook on what Ireland will do, I think Ireland's defence will be better with Andy Farrell coming along but the lack of creativity due to selections will see the boks eventually run Ireland outta steam
Colm
Roar Guru
I saw Gilroy score two stunning tries in the match and I saw all four wingers making defensive errors. To signal out Gilroy alone for mistake woul be highly disingenuous. Dave Kearney was partially at fault for Gilroy's first try, Luke Fitzgerald was partially at fault for Gilroy's second try and Andrew Trimble was targeted consistently with box kicks.
Derm
Roar Guru
agreed. :)