Lack of quality game-time a major concern as Farrell prepares to name squad

Ruaidhri O'Connor

Analysis

Ireland coach Andy Farrell: Season so far may not have prepared his players for what's coming. Photo: Sportsfile

October 18 2021 02:30 AM

They say the league table doesn’t lie and the sight of Ulster, Leinster and Munster in the top three positions of the United Rugby Championship (URC) tells an uncomfortable truth for Andy Farrell.

When he names his squad for the November internationals against Japan, New Zealand and Argentina on Wednesday, the Ireland coach will be drawing heavily on players from those three provinces with a smattering of Connacht contenders in the mix. If he’s looking at the glass from a half-full point of view, he’ll see plenty of in-form players who are used to winning games.

Farrell may choose to spin it that way too, but privately he’ll be concerned about the amount and quality of game-time his top stars have had this season as they face into the toughest test in world rugby.

The All Blacks have spent the last couple of months playing internationals against Australia, Argentina and South Africa; they may be getting towards the end of their season but they’re a battle-hardened outfit.

andy farrell

Traditionally, the Irish players would prepare for the autumn series with a round of interpros and their first two European pool games, but the later season start and a shorter Heineken Champions Cup has cost them that valuable chance to play teams of a higher level than the cannon fodder in the URC.

The top-three’s average winning margin so far this season has been 21 points. Ulster have scored four bonus-point try victories, while Leinster and Munster are three from four.

In terms of intensity and quality, Saturday’s interpro between Munster and Connacht was a real step up from the games against Italian, Welsh, Scottish and South African opposition to date.

Farrell’s own player management programme risks leaving the players undercooked too, with Lions Jack Conan, Tadhg Furlong and Tadhg Beirne only back last weekend and Conor Murray, Iain Henderson and Robbie Henshaw yet to feature.

Henderson and Murray are expected to return this weekend, while Henshaw is carrying a foot problem that could rule him out of the All Blacks game.

Of the team that beat England in March, he and Jacob Stockdale are the chief concerns and their areas of the team will be among the most interesting this week with back-row also ultra-competitive.

Hugo Keenan has nailed down his spot, while Keith Earls remains the senior winger despite his recent dalliance with the Munster midfield, but otherwise there’s a host of names fighting for spots without really being assured of their place.

Will Addison’s latest injury is likely to rule him out, leaving James Lowe, Jordan Larmour, Andrew Conway, Simon Zebo, Shane Daly and Robert Baloucoune in the mix, while Ethan McIlroy has impressed for Ulster.

If Henshaw is out and Chris Farrell and Stuart McCloskey are also struggling, the door may be open for Ulster’s silky centre James Hume to join Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose. Tom Daly was involved in the summer, but Ciarán Frawley may offer Farrell something different at No 12.

Captain Johnny Sexton’s form is a fillip for Farrell who will stick with Joey Carbery. Jack Carty is the next best on form, but Billy Burns is rated by the management. Murray will be back, while Farrell will be tempted to stick with Jamison Gibson-Park and Craig Casey. Nathan Doak’s form may see him involved in some capacity, while Luke McGrath would be unlucky to miss out again.

Leinster gave Farrell a glimpse of his front-row future when they put Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher and Furlong together for the first time, with Dave Kilcoyne, Cian Healy and Rob Herring all certs. Porter’s switch leaves the back-up tighthead slot open and Finlay Bealham and John Ryan will fancy their chances, while Dan Sheehan is edging ahead of Dave Heffernan at hooker.

Henderson, Ryan, Beirne and Ryan Baird are nailed-on locks, with Fineen Wycherley and Ultan Dillane vying for the fifth slot, while back-row is wide open with Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan, Peter O’Mahony and Gavin Coombes likely to be joined by one or two others from Nick Timoney, Paul Boyle, Dan Leavy and the in-form Jack O’Donoghue.

Farrell has a lot of good players to choose from, but he must be concerned the season so far has not prepared them for what’s coming.

Predicted 37-man Ireland squad

Backs: H Keenan, J Larmour, J Lowe, A Conway, K Earls, R Baloucoune, J Stockdale, J Hume, G Ringrose, B Aki, R Henshaw, J Sexton, J Carbery, J Carty, C Murray, J Gibson-Park, C Casey.

Forwards: A Porter, D Kilcoyne, C Healy, R Kelleher, R Herring, D Sheehan, T Furlong, F Bealham, John Ryan, James Ryan, T Beirne, I Henderson, R Baird, U Dillane, P O’Mahony, G Coombes, J van der Flier, N Timoney, C Doris, J Conan.