THERE WAS ONLY one real surprise across all four of yesterday’s Heineken Cup team announcements.
Paddy Jackson, 20, will start Ulster’s biggest game in 13 years. But, after Ian Humphreys played 80 minutes in the historic win over Munster, why?
South of the border there appears to be an underlying suspicion of David Humphreys’ influence. The presence of his younger brother in the pivotal position can give rise to unwarranted conspiracy theories which tie in with an imagined hostility between Brian McLaughlin and his director of rugby.
The selection of Jackson is proof that the management structure is sound, tough decisions are being made and acted upon. Our national coach would do well to take note.
So, wonder no longer, here are four reasons why McLaughlin has rolled the dice at number 10.
Paddy Wallace
Against Leinster, Paddy Wallace suffered an almighty blow to the jaw. Not from a light fist, not from a stern joint of any ordinary rugby player, but from the shoulder of Cian Healy (by bench press stats) Ireland’s strongest player.
At first, he got his jaw examined, no damaged there, but he was soon taken off. On Monday, Ulster instantly swept it under the carpet as ‘a migraine’ as if headaches were not a by-product of concussion. Had Wallace been diagnosed with that problem instead of his migraine then he would have been required to sit out the next three weeks.
Jackson, has been test driven at inside centre over the past two weeks. Should Wallace relapse, then the reshuffle is less severe than were he to come to the unfamiliar position cold, off the bench.
Defence
If Ronan O’Gara can be cruelly labelled ‘the gate’ for the manner in which he gets run over; Humphreys sometimes seems to operate with no hinges at all.
Jackson’s official profile has him weighing in a few kilos more than the man who turned 30 this week. He’s a growing boy, though, and that weight will have been measured at the start of the season. Today, a decade younger than Humphreys, he poses a more robust presence to stand alongside Ruan Pienaar in the channel David Denton will seek out at every opportunity.
Territory
Humphreys is nothing if he’s not a running fly-half. He is undoubtedly exciting to watch, but nobody accustomed to a soggy night in Ravenhill gives a damn about anything other than the final scoreline at the Aviva today.
Against Munster, Pienaar too often box-kicked high and aimlessly. Evidence that he did not fancy handing responsibility for field position to Humphreys. Jackson has proved with Ireland’s under 20 side that he not only can steer a team to victory, but he can do it in heavy conditions, when ambitious passing is more likely find errors than open space.
Game-changer
We’ve spoke about it often in these web-pages, the power of a timely boost from the bench. Should Ulster find themselves in need, then McLaughlin has several half-back combinations open to him.
If the game needs to be opened up, Humphreys can be sent into the fray alongside Pienaar. He will know what to do, how the game needs to turn. The partizan crowd will be lifted to a crescendo welcoming a favourite son.
