JOE SCHMIDT HAS laid down a challenge to the Ireland Wolfhounds to force their way into his plans for the Six Nations opener against Italy in just over two weeks.
Connacht forwards coach Dan McFarland takes charge of the Wolfhounds for tomorrow’s meeting with the England Saxons at Musgrave Park in Cork and has indicated that all those involved have realistic chances of going on to play against the Italians.
Indeed, the likes of Sean O’Brien, Ian Madigan, Luke Fitzgerald, Mike Ross, Jack McGrath, Kieran Marmion and Iain Henderson will have particularly high hopes of travelling to Rome as part of Schmidt’s matchday squad if they can shine against the Saxons.
Speaking after announcing the Wolfhounds selection, McFarland explained how Schmidt and his coaching team have viewed this fixture.
“Some players have not played as many minutes over the last couple of months as is deemed necessary going into the Six Nations and this is seen as an opportunity for them to take the field and get some minutes under their belt.”
Ian Keatley is not part of the squad, though McFarland said the Munster out-half is ”definitely fit.” It had been anticipated that both he and Madigan would get game time against the Saxons before Schmidt made a decision as to his starting out-half against Italy in Johnny Sexton’s absence.
McFarland says players can put their hands up tomorrow evening. Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO
McFarland said the decision not to involve Keatley was down to the fact that Ireland’s coaching team already know what he brings at out-half.
“I think Ian Keatley has been playing extremely well at fly-half over the last while and probably had more of an opportunity to show what he can do,” said McFarland.
Jared Payne is another notable absentee, with an IRFU spokesman saying the Ulster back is fit but ”wasn’t considered for selection” for this game. Whether that means he is to play in Rome remains to be seen.