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Shoulder to shoulder
 Ireland’s
tour to Argentina was billed as a sort of rugby questions and answers’
session. The questions centred on the make-up of the Irish panel for the
World Cup. The answers were to be provided by the players.
However, if the last fortnight confirms anything for O’Sullivan
and Niall O’Donovan it is that Ireland are short of amazing talent
once you move past the first XV.
The out-half issue highlights this point perfectly. The two games against
the Pumas would have been the ideal trial for Paddy Wallace. Sadly the
injury to the Ulsterman in the first test put paid to that particular
plan.
To make matters worse, things just didn’t go right for Jeremy Staunton
in Buenos Aires. As a consequence Ireland are now facing into the World
Cup without a recognised replacement for Ronan O’Gara.
It must be a huge worry for the Irish management team and I wouldn’t
be at all surprised if they decide to stop the search for a stand-off
and take a brave gamble persuading David Humphreys to come out of retirement
for a few months.
On a more positive note, it was great to see Jerry Flannery back to his
best. I thought he was outstanding in Santa Fé.
He looked hungry and determined and he was certainly one of the men to
return from South America with his reputation intact.
It’s going to be a very tough call between the Munster hooker and
Rory Best for that No.2 spot come September.
The back-row provided the rest of the notable performers for me. Jamie
Heaslip had a good outing in Santa Fé, as did Neil Best.
It was the same story in Buenos Aires, where Stephen Ferris and Alan Quinlan
were the pick of the pack.
More importantly, when Ireland were struggling at times during the game
it was Ferris and Quinlan who put their hands up and were counted. They
never hid and that could well count in their favour come World Cup selection
time.
In terms of cover the back-row is the one area where we appear to have
oodles of talent. You’d have to say that the three lads who were
left at home David Wallace, Denis Leamy and Simon Easterby are shoe-ins
for the team not to mention the panel. Picking the replacements won’t
be as easy.
Shane Jennings looked to have played himself into contention for the open-side
berth with his performances for Leicester. However, he had a quiet game
the last day and that may have knocked him down the pecking order.
Bryan Young and Simon Best played well enough. It was heartening to see
an Irish front row taking on the opposition. We still don’t have
anyone of John Hayes’ ability but we mightn’t be as bad as
we thought.
Very few of the backs did themselves any favours during the tour, with
the exception of Gavin Duffy. The former Mayo footballer played well at
fullback in Santa Fé and at first centre last Saturday. Given his
versatility, he could very well find himself in the panel for France as
a utility back.
Brian Carney had a decent tour and if I was picking the Irish panel I’d
have him on it. Granted, he hasn’t played a whole lot of union but
he’s done it at the highest level in league and I feel that he’d
bring a wealth of experience to the squad even if he didn’t start
too many games.
The players have a month off now, before they gather for training again
in July ahead of the pre-World Cup friendlies in August.
You’d reckon that the panel will be finalised at that stage. However,
some lads are going to have a lot of sleepless nights between now and
then.
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