YOU’LL NOT FIND it now. The New Year is with us so that means 2018′s first international rugby tournament will be kicking off in just five weeks’ time.
Here’s who we think fits the bill for that opening clash against France in Paris on 3 February.
15. Rob Kearney
You’ll see a theme right through this selection, the most proven and reliable options take the nod over some of the x-factor options available. Rob Kearney was terrific during the November Tests against South Africa and Argentina.In a ferocious contest away to France, his experience and leadership will be vital.
14. Keith Earls
Looked set to light up November as he took brilliant form through Halloween, a hamstring injury opened the door for a few new rivals to try on his jersey, but Earls remains an explosive try-scoring threat for Ireland and, when fit, he can’t be left out.
13. Robbie Henshaw
There are plenty of centre options at Joe Schmidt’s disposal and against France it would make a lot of sense to deploy the same partnership that stood tall against South Africa. Henshaw may still often move in to 12 for Leinster, but every time he wears 13 he revesl in the freedom to make a wider impact around the field.
12. Bundee Aki
It’s going to be hard-hitting battle in Paris and Ireland will need to stock the team with players who won’t be drawn into the myth of Les Bleus. Aki’s physicality makes him a fantastic foil to bring Ireland through an attritional grapple with France, while his soft hands offer rich pickings for strike runners.
11. Jacob Stockdale
Ireland’s international break-out of 2017, Stockdale’s power and pace keep him firmly at the top rung of Irish wings.
10. Jonathan Sexton
Now for the easy selections at half-back. No question about it, Jonathan Sexton and Conor Murray are a class apart in their positions. Let’s just keep everything crossed that they stay fit and well.
9. Conor Murray
1. Cian Healy
He’s back to his best and trying to dig more out of himself. Healy turned from steady to stupendous in 2017, losing weight while adding mobility to his game to again deliver devastating carrying ability.
2. Rory Best (Capt.)
35 years of age, but his influence at the set-piece and breakdown remains absolute crucial in this Ireland pack.
There is a slight doubt over his fitness after he missed the Christmas inter-pros with a foot infection. However, with Niall Scannell not far ahead of him on the recovery trail, he’s pickable even if he doesn’t find fitness in time for the closing Champions Cup matches.
3. Tadhg Furlong
Another position with no debate, Furlong is the best tighthead in the world at the minute and everyone else on this island will have to scramble to be his back-up.
4. Iain Henderson
Has been asked to play blindside on Ulster duty to bolster the province’s options, but his best position (and the place Ireland most need him) is in the second row. His quality makes him a clear-cut first-choice in this slot and James Ryan’s injury will reduce the young lock’s chance to displace the Ulster man.
5. Devin Toner
Took a rare back seat to Henderson and James Ryan in Argentina, but the experiments of November are over and Toner is the consistent mainstay of Schmidt’s pack.
6. Peter O’Mahony
With a new contract freshly-inked, Ireland will be able to put O’Mahony to work right through the World Cup. Schmidt’s team is always better for the presence of the Corkman. O’Mahony clearly brings a hard edge, but also exceptional line-out and breakdown technique.
7. Sean O’Brien
We’ve been lucky for the majority of this century to look at our back row and marvel at the strength in depth. It’s needed, because the rate of injury in the high-impact position is frightening. If there was a full deck to choose from, there might be debates over the merits of CJ Stander compared with Peter O’Mahony at blindside (thankfully we can pick them both in this team) or Stander or Jack Conan against Jamie Heaslip, when Sean O’Brien is fit there is no one who should be picked ahead of him.
8. CJ Stander
Has rarely been anything less than exceptional when called upon to trudge through endless workloads for Ireland. At his best in that number eight jersey and his relationship with O’Mahony frees him up to damage and loosen up defensive lines.
Replacements:
16. Niall Scannell
17. Dave Kilcoyne
18. John Ryan
19. Ultan Dillane
20. Dan Leavy
21. Kieran Marmion
22. Ian Keatley
23. Garry Ringrose
