IRELAND FLANKER SEAN O’Brien believes Irish rugby is not in a position to simply throw talented young players into the deep end to see whether they sink or swim. They’re just too valuable to risk.
O’Brien’s Leinster team-mate Garry Ringrose was the topic of much debate before this year’s Six Nations. But the in-form outside centre was omitted from the Ireland squad by head coach Joe Schmidt.
“He’s trying to develop him and mind his body,” O’Brien contended after it was said that Schmidt was ‘minding’ Ringrose.
“It’s different for someone who’s had a bit of experience, had a year under his belt.
“If Garry goes in next year into the Six Nations, we’ll see a different Garry in terms of his physicality, in terms of his smartness. He will be a different player again. He will be a step up from where he is now.
You fire him in there this year, I guarantee he gets hurt.
“You’ve big centres running down his channel. They’re going to run straight into him. Regardless of how talented you are, you’re going to get hurt.
“These young lads who are phenomenally talented, But there is a way of bringing them into the system.”
O’Brien, who is hoping to return in a month despite tearing his hamstring tendon, added:
“We don’t have enough of them (young talent) coming through to be firing them in the deep end. We’re not like New Zealand or Australia. We have to mind these lads to a certain extent until they’re physically able to keep going week-after-week.
“You throw him in now and he is finished in six years maybe.”
“Ye are looking in from the outside and going ‘give him a shot.’ But, you put Garry in this year, you’re taking out an experienced fella like Jared or Robbie or Lukey even when he’s fit, who has experience, someone who’s very physical, someone who’s smart.
“You’re putting in a young fella because he’s playing well for his club. Can he do it at international level?
“You’re taking a huge risk there.
“He will do it at international level. But, as I said, I think it’s the right thing to do with some of these very talented guys: make sure they’re coming through the right way, are developed enough to last for Irish Rugby.”
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