These are exciting times for Irish rugby. Six Nations champions, third in the world and an autumn clean sweep including two major scalps against South Africa and Australia – there’s no doubt these achievements have raised expectations of what might just be possible in the next ten months.
Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of their successes in the last month is that they’ve been attained despite a significantly depleted squad devoid of key players like Sean O’Brien, Cian Healy and Andrew Trimble.
This autumn brought the total number of capped players under Schmidt up to 56, and with little room for experimentation you’d not expect any from outside that group to break into a final 31-man World Cup squad. So what impact then did this series do for those players hoping to make an impression, and who could find their spot under pressure as Joe Schmidt considers his options for the Six Nations and beyond?
GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
Felix Jones
A terrific two-try showing against Georgia at full-back put him in contention for a start on the wing against the Wallabies. He just missed out on first XV selection but has cemented his spot as an able deputy for Rob Kearney with a solid cameo.
Robbie Henshaw
Henshaw has made significant strides in the last twelve months, bringing an added physicality to the Irish midfield. Defensively, there are few tougher tests for an outside centre than Australia on-song. It was an examination that Henshaw came through with distinction.
Ian Madigan
More so than a leading role against Georgia, Madigan will benefit immeasurably from being in the thick of the action as Ireland closed out victories over their two southern hemisphere opponents. Cast your mind back twelve months, to the narrowest of New Zealand losses, and Madigan was involved then too. So to come out on top this time, and contribute the winning turnover against Australia, marks a significant moment in his development.
Conor Murray
Already an established Irish international, Murray is now being talked about as the most complete all round scrum-half in the game. For my money, only Aaron Smith provides competition in that regard, which – we’re allowed to get slightly ahead of ourselves – sets up an intriguing contest when the Lions tour New Zealand in 2017 with these two at their peak.
Rhys Ruddock
Played in the unfamiliar position of openside with Chris Henry sadly stricken – let’s cross our fingers he makes a return – Ruddock excelled in the tight and again against the more expansive Wallabies. An immensely powerful unit, he’d yet to find a home in a highly competitive Irish back-row but these performances put him at the front of the queue behind the first choice trio of O’Mahony, Heaslip and O’Brien (shoulder permitting).
Dave Foley
It’s very a young career yet, but Foley made a promising debut against the abrasive Georgians and backed that up with a decent contribution in a heroic last quarter which denied the Wallabies. Trusted with calling the lineouts on his first start, Foley can only improve with time and with a mentor like O’Connell at his province.
Jack McGrath
Both McGrath and Mike Ross played the full eighty against Australia, almost unheard of these days for props in any game, not least against an opposition that moves the ball as fluidly as the Wallabies. Both deserve huge credit for that, but particularly McGrath who saw off an improving Australian scrum and gave a monumental effort defensively in both major scalps.
FEELING THE HEAT
Gordon D’Arcy
Every previous time I’ve questioned the inclusion of D’Arcy he’s come out of a bad patch of form and reminded us all of his value to the squad, so it’s something I don’t like to make a habit of nowadays. However, in the Australian test there were times when the veteran centre was caught in uncompromising positions behind the gain-line. And with Henshaw seemingly nailing down a central spot long-term, and Jared Payne a solid partner against South Africa, D’Arcy is under pressure for his place, even more so with Ian Madigan and Stuart Olding in the picture. D’Arcy’s experience will carry him through to the World Cup, but this is probably the biggest selection dilemma facing Schmidt.
Devin Toner
It feels unfair to pick holes in the circumstances of what was a successful series, but there were still aspects which Joe Schmidt will dissect when the squad reconvenes in December. Certainly the set piece requires some minor surgery, and while Toner isn’t to be singled-out for set-piece failings, the intensity of the game against Australia appeared to take its toll on his contribution. No problems in the tight against the Springboks but Schmidt could look at his alternative options against more expansive sides. Foley, Henderson and Dan Tuohy will be in the mix.
Mike McCarthy
McCarthy hasn’t shown much of the form that saw him capped in 2011 and pushing for selection in 2012. His inclusion this time around was injury-enforced with Iain Henderson and Dan Tuohy out, and Donnacha Ryan a long-term absentee with an unknown return date. Concussion ruled him out of the last test taking the decision out of Schmidt’s hands, though Dave Foley had in all probability already usurped him in the line.
By Dave Blair (@viscount_dave)
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
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