Strength in Depth? or is there?

Danny Brosnan

As good as things are looking for Andy Farrell and the Ireland squad over the last two years, a first ever series win in New Zealand, a 2023 six nations grand slam and 2024 six nations championship win, there have been a few issues, our usual quarter final exit at the 2023 rugby world cup. But the biggest issue I want to talk about today is the depth issue or lack there of in certain positions and a possible solution for it.

Number 1 issue.
First up positional issue is our looseheads and lack of time given to new players coming in. Yes Cian Healy (36) and Dave Kilcoyne (35) are two very good backup options to Andrew Porter but considering they are both at the twilight of there careers would we be better off having Jeremy Loughman on the bench and A.N Other as third choice?.

Tight choices.
Let’s face it, it’s Tadhg Furlong and Finlay Bealham as starter and replacement in that order with Tom O’Toole as our third choice. But what happens if we end up with one injured and the other getting an niggle in the warm up? Oli Jager seems to have made some what of an impression, but that leaves us scraping the barrel a bit.

Not so much 7th heaven.
Josh Van Der Flier, 2022 EPCR and World Rugby player of the year has the Irish 7 jersey nailed down and rightfully so. But who’s our other out and out option? Will Connors? John Hodnett? Nick Timoney?

Half back and twice the issues
9 and 3/4’s of the way there
Jamison Gibson-Park (32) has to be the starter for the national team on current form with Conor Murray (34) still not looking like he’ll be dislodged as backup. But if one or both are out for some reason who gets what? Is it Craig Casey and Caolan Blade? Do with bring John Cooney back into the fold or give Nathan Doak his chance?

The perfect 10?
Andy Farrell seems to have his man in Jack Crowley as the replacement to Jonathan Sexton. Yet there’s somewhat of a case to be made for Ciaran Frawley if he was to get enough continuous games at 10 provincially. But here lays the issue, who’s where in the pecking order after them. Ross Byrne seems the most obvious choice right now. His brother Harry, along with Billy Burns of Ulster and Jack Carty of Connacht have fallen off the radar. Sam Pendergast may need more time which isn’t going to be easy in a jam packed position at Leinster. Joey Carbery, who’s on his way out from Munster, may have put on pressure if he stayed with Munster and more importantly injury free. So this needs to be addressed.

Fullback of the future.
As we’ve seen Hugo Keenan is the man, as we’ve also seen against Scotland in this years six nations when he was pulled out of the starting lineup in the warm-up it left us having to use Jordan Larmour to cover. An issue no team can really account for last minute. But as I’ve said with previous positions, it leaves us without a properly tested 15 at international level. So who do we have as that option. Jimmy O’Brien is and option. Would Mike Haley but worth another go? Could Will Addison stay fit long enough to work back into contention? Do we keep switching Ciaran Frawley to where we need him?

Now that I’ve had my rant about some of positional issues I’ve seen. What’s the best solution to try and find a way to give players game time to get a decent idea of the system and what’s expected. Do we chop and change? Do we cross that bridge when we come to it? Do we have a rough plan in some way?

For me a rough plan is better than no plan and that plan means going back to look forward. But back to what you ask. Going back to using the Ireland A team. The A team that was on hiatus from February 2015 to November 2022. A team where players like Cian Healy, Mike Ross, Jonathan Sexton, Keith Earls and so many other’s got games to not only highlight what they can do outside the province but also learn. Part of the reason they got a good chance to showcase there skill level was in the likes of the Churchill cup and a few more A games.

But what’s so good about this team? and what’s the best way to utilize this squad?
Well here’s my take.

Provincial prowess vs international expectation.
I know that some people are of the mindset that if a player is performing well at provincial level that should be enough to get them into the extended squad at least. But, and there’s always a but……

The new stuff.
One of the biggest issues for players coming in is two big issues.
1 getting used to the new system.
2 getting used to new combinations and how it effects not only there performance but the team as a whole.
It’s something we’ve all had to adapt to in life and it’s no different on the rugby field and like much in life, so much can be learned from two weeks at camp. But the real learning, the real test of any player is in a match, it’s those 80 minutes where the real learning is. Under pressure, split second to make a decision, having to adapt when needed. These are some of the reasons as to why the team is needed.

The learning curve.
It’s not just the players who learn from those around them and how the system works, but the coaching staff learns about who they have in various positions and what they bring. It gives a sense of knowing who’s the best if the top two or three guys aren’t available. On a bonus side it gives players returning to provinces after a way of possibly helping there team improve also.

Easier assimilation into the main squad.
Getting those games at that right spot between provincial and international is also important as players will realize how much more quicker and alert they have to be to not only get to international but stay there as well. That 1/2 second could make the difference between conceding or stopping a try and same with scoring.

Healthy competition
Sometimes have someone looking to take your spot in the team is needed to up your game. Same for them, knowing that Cian Pendergast, Jacob Stockdale or any other player has a chance of getting a go in the main squad is going to push the main guys to keep there spot.

Deep green positions
As I’ve already alluded to it’s about growing depth in positions. Which some supporters have been saying when a player has been missing and this is why Andy and his coaching staff needs to start using this squad on a more regular basis. Not a situation where the last two A games were against England in February 15 and a New Zealand XV in November 22. A few test games against other A sides of tier 2 nations would give a better idea for proper depth and cohesion, which in turn gives everyone a better idea of how much talent we have.

The selection box
If Andy were to take the A team as measuring stick of talent, for me at least, he would want to do three non negotiables.
1 have five or six players from the fringe in that team that are familiar with his style. Ideally a 3/3 split.
2 have a few basic set piece plays in which to help players get in tune with what’s needed.
3 have one coach on the team, either head or assistant, that he is confident in knowing that he’ll keep it similar to the national squad.

Coaches Coach and players for the squad.
Now this is one area that’s well up for debate. Does Farrell choose his head coach or is it an IRFU decision? For me, it has to be Farrell’s choice in order to get the message across and plays in place. Whether it’s someone from his own staff or someone from the provinces is the question.
Possible head coaches could be Simon Easterby, Leo Cullen or Graham Rowntree. Really depends on who he sees as best fit.
In terms of players, as I’ve said above, ideally there’d be a few experienced players from playing or training under Farrell.
One guy I’d like to see in the squad is Rob Herring, has the experience of playing for years and under Farrell.
Fellow Ulster second row Kieran Treadwell would be my own go too guy, as he’s had time within the main squad, hasn’t played much but does have that knowledge.
This is probably going to be the more controversial call but it’s for good reason. Having Conor Murray in at scrum half, starting or on the bench, brings a wealth of experience not only in play but in leadership as well, it also gives time to another 9 in the main squad to develop.
I was hoping to get another player or two in here with a decent amount of time under Farrell but as of now no one really stands out.

Summer tour of Ireland
With our main squad usually touring the southern hemisphere during July maybe it’d be good for the IRFU to use the opportunity to invite teams to Ireland to play our A team. Not only would be good for the players but having them play in various stadiums around the country as well would get more people interested in going or watching there games.