Ireland: 6 Nations Predicted Matchday 23 – Huge Rugby News

Ireland will open their Six Nations campaign in Dublin on February 2nd, against an English side on a redemption mission. While most of the squad is nailed down, there are spots up for grabs, particularly on the bench

Front Row

Cian Healy seems to have overtaken Jack McGrath again, after a few years of backing up his Leinster team-mate. Captain Rory Best is a dead cert for the number two jersey. The Ulsterman has not played an awful lot of club rugby lately, but generally saves his best performances for the green jersey. Tighthead prop is a no brainer; Tadhg Furlong. The Wexford man is by some distance the best in the world in his position

Second Row

James Ryan and Devin Toner are in pole position for the engine room. Toner is basically undroppable for Joe Schmidt, there is no better lineout operator in the country. We saw this against Argentina in the autumn; a misfiring lineout righted itself as soon as Toner arrived on the scene. James Ryan is incredible, in a word. Already one of the best in the world in his position at only 22, he always puts up ridiculous numbers in defence and attack, Ryan will carry and tackle all day long. Iain Henderson and Tadhg Beirne may feature at some point, injury permitting.

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Back Row

Two spots here are dead certs: Peter O’Mahony and CJ Stander. O’Mahony is a future Ireland captain, and is a brilliant leader in the pack, while Stander will carry ball all day. Openside is up in the air, given the timely return of Sean O’Brien. Josh Van Der Flier has been in amazing form for Leinster, and Dan Leavy looks likely to be fit in time to feature.  Dan Leavy is a very good ball carrier as well as his breakdown ability, while Van Der Flier will tackle everything that moves, and Sean O’Brien when he’s on song, is the best in the world. Josh Van Der Flier will probably start to begin with, Sean O’Brien might take the 20 jersey, given that he has been playing number 8 a lot for Leinster, and is probably the most versatile bench option. Jordi Murphy has been flying for Ulster and will probably feature off the bench.

Half-Backs

Very little to discuss here. Conor Murray and Jonathan Sexton. The only pairing in the world that rivals Smith and Barrett. Irish fans will be praying there will be no injuries.

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Centres

Robbie Henshaw has returned at just the right time. The Athlone man looked to be straight back to his best against Wasps at the weekend, and should start against England. Garry Ringrose has maintained his high standards performing for Leinster, and is a dead cert for 13, Bundee Aki, and both Farrells (Tom and Chris) will be waiting in the wings should there be any injuries

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Back Three

Jacob Stockdale, Rob Kearney, and Keith Earls will almost definitely be the three chosen. Earls has been in outstanding form for Munster and is well deserving of a spot. Stockdale has been in great try scoring form Ulster and will hopefully build on his great performances in the last year November. Rob Kearney has been struggling for fitness lately but will come into the team as soon as he is fit. Kearney has wonderful fielding ability, and covers the entirety of the backfield himself, an integral part of Andy Farrell’s defensive system. Will Addison is the most likely candidate to come in should there be any injuries. Jordan Larmour is also in contention, but Addison has the edge defensively.

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Bench

Sean Cronin has his set piece issues, but is joint top scorer in the Champion’s Cup this season, which should see him get the backup spot ahead of Niall Scannell. Jack McGrath will get the 17 jersey if he doesn’t start ahead of Cian Healy. Andrew Porter is just getting better and better, becoming seriously good value for jackaling this season, to add to his already impressive repertoire. The replacement second row jersey will go to one of Ultan Dillane or Quinn Roux. Dillane is probably the better player but has struggled for form a bit for Connacht in the last few months, so Roux is the more likely to get the nod.

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Bench backrower will probably be Sean O’Brien. He covers each position to an incredibly high standard. Replacement scrum half should go to John Cooney. Caoilin Blade is in contention, but aside from injury probably will not get any gametime. Joey Carbery has been in flying form for Munster, his move south having proved incredibly beneficial. He has made his last 20 kicks at goal in a row, since Munster’s loss to Castres in the Champion’s Cup, proving his worth as Johnny Sexton’s deputy. The 23 jersey should be Will Addison’s. The English-born Ulsterman covers 11-15 to an international standard

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Predicted Match Day 23:

1. Cian Healy
2. Rory Best
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. James Ryan
5. Devin Toner
6. Peter O’Mahony
7. Josh Van Der Flier
8. CJ Stander
9. Conor Murray
10. Johnny Sexton
11. Jacob Stockdale
12. Robbie Henshaw
13. Garry Ringrose
14. Keith Earls
15. Rob Kearney

     16. Sean Cronin

     17. Jack McGrath

     18. Andrew Porter

     19. Quinn Roux

     20. Sean O’Brien

     21. John Cooney

     22, Joey Carbery

     23. Will Addison

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