PREPARATION FOR JOE Schmidt’s opening Six Nations game has been disrupted with untimely injuries, but the coach had a steely, certain look in his eyes as he spoke about meeting the expectations created by one performance in November.
Today’s team announcement for the side to face Scotland brought three changes from the side who went so close to beating New Zealand last time out with Ulster trio Chris Henry, Andrew Trimble and Luke Marshall coming in for Sean O’Brien, Tommy Bowe and Gordon D’Arcy.
The omission of D’Arcy, Schmidt says, was down to a stomach upset early in the week deciding what was going to be a tight selection decision.
“Very, very close,” Schmidt said of his choice at number 12. ”We thought Luke got more training time under his belt and was a bit more comfortable. They both did well in the Autumn. Luke made a couple of telling breaks and Gordon D’Arcy played as well as I’ve ever seen him play against the All Blacks.”
Eoin Reddan was the first to drop out of contention this week with a calf injury and the wet weather forecast has prompted Schmidt to bring Isaac Boss back into the match-day 23.
A hip flexor injury meant Luke Fitzgerald will have to wait at least another week to carry his excellent provincial form back to the international scene with Andrew Trimble’s physicality – combined with lack of game time after injury for Simon Zebo and Fergus McFadden – earned him a 39th cap.
“He gets on the ball well,” Schmidt says of Ulster’s record try-scorer. And with Sean Lamont starting opposite Trimble; Schmidt conceded that the Derry man’s physical presence was a factor in selection, joking that calling Shane Horgan down from the stands might be a step too far.
“He spent a bit of time with us in November. His last two performances for Ulster have been good. Obviously there are a few guys who have been ruled out through injury. It is a highly contested position and Andrew has got first run at it. He is good in the air. Defensively he can close down an attack pretty efficiently.”
He added: ”I think there is a bit of quality in both their wings – both guys will be difficult to break down. With [Stuart] Hogg running in from the back. I think he is a super player, a speed merchant with a good kicking game.
‘Cant wait’
“It is a nice game for Rob, Dave [Kearney] and Andrew to get their teeth into. There has been a real spring in his step. We hope that factors onto the field on Sunday.”
The Kiwi added: “I can’t wait for it to start. I would be a lot more comfortable if it was longer way away. It is part of the job.
“You feel the level of expectation. We want that level of expectation. We are excited about potentially what we can do and now its about getting out there and delivering it.”
