JOE SCHMIDT HAS backed Devin Toner to deliver a big performance against Romania at Wembley tomorrow.
The Leinster lock endured a tough afternoon during Ireland’s 21-13 defeat against England at Twickenham earlier this month and was left out of Schmidt’s matchday squad for the World Cup opener against Canada last weekend.
Iain Henderson was one of Ireland’s standout players during the World Cup warm-up series and made his presence felt throughout the 50-7 thumping of the Canucks in Cardiff.
Donnacha Ryan’s late resurgence, not to mention his ability to play blindside, has heaped further pressure on Toner, but Schmidt expects a big reaction from the 29-year-old in London.
“I think there’s going to be more lineout pressure,” said Schmidt of tomorrow’s opponents.
“I do think they’ll go after us in the air a lot more than Canada did. I think that’s a massive strength that Devin can offer for us. Not just in his ability to contest at the lineout himself, but his ability to call some really positive options.
“Dev is a very effective ball carrier. If we can get him onto the front foot, he’s 126 kilos. That takes a fair bit of taking down. He’s been working hard on his defence. I know you probably recall in your minds Joe Marler slipping his tackle and getting in behind us at one stage (against England) when Conor (Murray) got knocked over as a result.
“He’s been working very hard on that front-foot defence. So, if we get those three aspects from him, I know that he’ll be satisfied if he can deliver on those three things.”
Robbie Henshaw’s continued absence due a hamstring injury remains a concern with Schmidt naming his sixth different centre combination in as many games.
The Kiwi is confident that Henshaw will be fit to face the Azzurri at the Olympic Stadium next week, but did not want risk the Connacht centre against the Oaks.
“I think he’s mature enough to know that we needed to manage the risk,” Schmidt explained. “We don’t know how many big games there are to come. We know that every game is a big game because you’ve got to make sure you’re getting points.
“We know that we’ve got Italy and then France and we’ve got to make sure that we’re nailed on for those to get something beyond that. I think part of Robbie’s frustration is two of the four games we know we’ve got are gone for him and he’s very, very keen to be involved, if he can be selected in those last two (games).
“What we didn’t want to do was select him for this game and for him maybe to miss the next two and, potentially, anything else that we can be involved in later in the tournament. He certainly understands that. I had a good chat with Robbie as did the medics.”
Romania coach Lynn Howell certainly threw down the gauntlet to Ireland by naming the most experienced starting XV ever with 728 caps scattered throughout his side.
The Welsh coach made eight changes to the team which lost 38-11 against France in midweek but retained Catalin Fercu at full back.
Fercu featured heavily for Saracens during their victorious LV= Cup campaign last season and helped the Londoners secure a thrilling 23-20 victory against Exeter in the final at Franklin’s Gardens in March. The likes of David Strettle, Marcelo Bosch and Maro Itoje were also part of that side, and Schmidt feels Fercu will be one to watch at Wembley.
“I’ve noticed that they’ve kept Fercu at full back which is a massive bonus for them,” Schmidt added.
“He’s plays for Saracens which is obviously the top level of professional rugby and if you’ve ever seen any of the match highlights that he’s been involved in with Saracens, he’s quick and his kicking game is super.”
