The Ireland team we want to see face Fiji

Andy Farrell’s Ireland returns to action this Saturday on the back of a tight 22 – 19 win over Argentina.

Coming out of the blocks hot, the men in green appeared more like the team we have come to know over the past four years than the one who faced New Zealand a week prior.

Slumping in the second half, the Irish attack spluttered, but the defence just about held on to limit Argentina to just a lone breakaway try for the sensational Juan Cruz Mallia.

Despite facing some criticism for their performances, Ireland is clearly beginning to turn over a new leaf with a view to the long-term success of the team. This, combined with what appears to be a shift in tactics at the breakdown and in defence, as they employ a more aggressive South African style in both facets, has stunted their usual fluidity in attack. This is perhaps unsurprising given that the bulk of the squad has been getting to grips with the Jacques Nienaber systems at Leinster, which appear to be seeping into the national setup.

Now a full year removed from the last match of the great Johnny Sexton’s career, Jack Crowley is still bedding himself in as the first choice in the face of stiff competition from the Leinster duo of Ciaran Frawley and Sam Prendergast. Putting aside some of the criticism that has come his way, the 24-year-old Munster playmaker has in truth been exceptional since taking over the starting role.

Heading into their third match against an immensely physical and talented Fijian side, Ireland will be all too aware of the threat their South Pacific opponents pose. This strength will pose an interesting conundrum for Farrell who will need to tread a fine line between blooding new players and securing a result. With that in mind, here is the Ireland team we would like to see take on Fiji this week.

Ireland Team To Face Fiji

1. Cian Healy – Leinster
On the brink of breaking Brian O’Driscoll’s Ireland appearances record, the 37-year-old will get a well-deserved day in the sun by running onto the pitch first in the number one shirt.

2. Ronan Kelleher – Leinster
Still, not quite at his best, Kelleher deserves another opportunity to get things right at line-out time. Around the park, he has been ultraphysical, namely in defence, and in a match that has the potential to be more free-flowing than the past two, now is a good time for him to rediscover his broken-play running game.

3. Thomas Clarkson – Leinster
Supremely confident on debut, the Leinster tighthead turned some heads with just how good he was against Los Pumas. In fact, his performance was so impressive that you could argue it was better than anything he has shown for Leinster to date. With Tadhg Furlong and Tom O’Toole returning to fitness (and Oli Jager returning for Munster), this feels like the perfect opportunity to get a start for the 24-year-old.

4. Iain Henderson – Ulster
Putting behind him what was hands down his worst showing in a green shirt against the All Blacks, Henderson gets an opportunity to redeem himself. At this stage in his career, Henderson is not quite the explosive ball-carrying threat he once was, but he is an exceptional line-out operator and physical hitter in defence.

5. Tadhg Beirne – Munster
Shifting from the backrow to what appears to be his better position in the second row, Beirne will relish playing alongside Henderson at line-out time. Around the park, he will still bring his usual poaching threat without being burdened by the huge expectations that are placed on the blindside in Ireland’s attacking structures.

6. Cian Prendergast – Connacht
Whilst his younger brother has hogged the limelight in recent weeks, the Connacht captain gets a chance to prove that he is the long-term successor to Peter O’Mahony in the number six shirt. At 6’5″ and 115kg, Prendergast is a prototypical style blindside who does the basics exceptionally well and is yet another line-out option for Kelleher to hit.

7. Peter 0’Mahony – Munster – (C)
This was a difficult position for us to nail down, but given that O’Mahony has played at openside on several occasions throughout his career, he felt like the most natural option. Of course, Timoney could’ve started here, but we felt the backrow needed to be freshened up after two brutally physical weeks (van der Flier has made 40 tackles across the two matches). In addition to what he brings in open play, O’Mahony again remains the best line-out jumper in Irish Rugby and will bring key leadership to this new-look side as captain.

8. Nick Timoney – Ulster
Getting his chance to translate his provincial form to the international game, the versatile Ulsterman starts at eight this week. Timoney brings a nice balance to the backrow, both with his carrying ability and as a serious breakdown threat.

9. Craig Casey – Munster
Now is Casey’s time to not only solidify himself as the clear-cut second choice to Jamison Gibson-Park but also challenge the Leinster star. Given how impressive he was before departing with injury against the Springboks in the first test back in July, Casey has proven he can perform at the highest level. His ability to push the tempo around the breakdown should go some way toward negating the issues Ireland has faced in this department of late.

10. Ciaran Frawley – Leinster
Brutally dropped after his worst professional performance against the All Blacks, Ireland’s drop goal hero returns for a start against the physical Fijians. Make no mistake, Frawley is an absolute baller who will prove that the New Zealand performance was a blip on the radar. Most notably, the 6’3″ flyhalf is rock solid in defence and has a huge boot, which will be key against the Fijians.

11. Jacob Stockdale – Ulster
Following two so-so performances from James Lowe, there has never been a bigger opportunity for the Ulster flyer to regain his number 11 shirt. Of course, the step-up from the URC to test rugby is gargantuan, to say the least, but it is the only opportunity thus far this season that players have had to show their form. With this in mind, Stockdale is playing as well, if not better, than at any point we have seen since 2018. When on song, Stockdale is close to unstoppable and brings a strong kicking game that is similar to Lowes.

12. Stuart McCloskey – Ulster
Firmly the fourth choice in the centre pecking order at the current moment, the 6’4″ and 115kg powerhouse remains a classy operator. Solidifying the inside channel defensively and operating as a go-forward machine in attack, McCloskey is the perfect counter to Josua Tuisova and Waisea Nayacalevu.

13. Jamie Osborne – Leinster
Nominated for the World Rugby Breakthrough Player Of The Year award, the 23-year-old is very much the real deal. Although his long-term future appears to lie in the number 12 shirt, he has proven he is more than capable of slotting in at either 13 or 15. Against Argentina, he brought a real oomph off the bench, which was halted only by the lack of support from those around him. Combining with McCloskey this weekend to form a dynamic and physical centre pairing should help Frawley get back to his best.

14. Calvin Nash – Munster
Arguably the most unlucky player so far this November, the Munster flyer is an out-and-out paceman and is, without a doubt, Ireland’s best winger under the high ball. Making the number 14 shirt his own last season and with Mack Hansen’s form being mixed at best, Nash gets an opportunity to put pressure on Hansen for his place against the Wallabies.

15. Hugo Keenan – Leinster
Bringing some consistency to the backfield, Keenan continues as the lone starter from last week’s match. Still, firmly at the peak of his powers, the 28-year-old has grown into the role of second distributor for the Irish attack. Defensively, he covers the backfield with authority and rarely loses out on an aerial contest.

Replacements:
16. Dave Heffernan – Connacht
We were tempted to name Gus McCarthy here, but as a full squad member, the Connacht hooker deserves his shot, and his experience could be crucial if this match is as tight as many believe it will be. For us, Rob Herring has been exceptionally poor through the opening two weeks, and if Farrell’s trend of rewarding form continues, he should be dropped this week.

17. Tom O’Toole – Ulster
Yes, we are aware that O’Toole plays tighthead, but it is no secret that the Irish set-up has been experimenting with him at loosehead as a backup to Porter. Taking this into account, and not to disrespect the Fijian pack, this is the perfect opportunity for him to get some live action.

18. Tadhg Furlong – Leinster
Returning from a hamstring injury that has caused him to miss both of Ireland’s tests this month, the Leinster star should get some minutes into his lungs before starting against the Wallabies.

19. Cormac Izuchukwu – Ulster
Outlandishly talented, the Ulster star has been earmarked for a cap for a few years now. We opted to start him from the bench, given the impact he could bring from the bench against tiring bodies. Given his versatility, he will cover both the second and backrow positions depending on how Farrell sees fit to change his side.

20. Caelan Doris – Leinster
Taking a place on the bench this week as the Irish coaches look to manage his game time, the regular skipper could well avoid getting onto the park if all goes well. Alternatively, there is the option to bring him on at 6,7 or 8, depending on how things play out.

21. Conor Murray – Munster
Getting a spot on the bench to rest Gibson-Park, this writer is a huge Murray fan, but at this point, it feels like this could be his last campaign in green. That being said, a strong cameo from the bench where he guides Ireland home would go a long way to exorcising the demons of a poor showing against the All Blacks.

22. Jack Crowley – Munster
Despite getting mixed reviews from Andy Farrell, it is our opinion that Jack Crowley was superb last week and deserves more backing as the first choice ten, given his body of work. Whilst the hype around Sam Prendergast (who is undoubtedly a special talent) has hit fever pitch, his debut was far from the masterclass that certain factions of the media have reported. In attack, he looked solid with some nice passes but didn’t look like a threat at the line, whilst in defence, he clearly avoided contact when possible. Taking into account the sheer power of the Fijian backline, we have opted for Crowley, who is a top-class defender, as the backup to Frawley. For Crowley’s development, getting more time in the saddle is key, given he has yet to see out a match so far this month. Also worth noting is that when he has been removed from the action, the Irish attack has not scored a point..

23. Bundee Aki – Connacht
Another player who was unceremoniously dumped following the All Blacks defeat. Aki is a year removed from being a World Player Of The Year contender, and whilst the end is certainly in sight, he remains an outlandishly powerful gain line basher for Ireland. Coming off the bench against Fiji, Aki will get a chance to put himself back in the picture for the Wallabies clash and the Six Nations before pushing for Lions selection.