Jordan Larmour, Joey Carbery and Jacob Stockdale are relatively new sensations but each time they play, they give a little more of themselves away.
One of the great by-products of Ireland’s new youthful thrust is the unscripted attacking play we are now being treated to.
By giving younger, rawer talents a run out, the provinces and Ireland themselves are getting glimpses of some wonderful, impetuous moves and pieces of individual skill. There is the likelihood that the more we see of the three young stars mentioned [above], and the likes of Garry Ringrose and Alex Wootton, the more they will start to play within their team’s structures.
That spark may grow dimmer with more coaching, more pressure and hours upon hours of video analysis. For now, though, we should sit back and enjoy it.
Brendan Macken joined The Hard Yards rugby podcast this week and [from 14:00 below] while he raved about Ireland’s next generation of rugby players, he did sound a note of caution.
Macken says opposition teams will now be expecting Larmour to run the ball from anywhere, for Stockdale to wrap around from right to left wings and will have spotted most of their attacking and defensives tells already. The Wasps centre commented:
“I remember when I first got into Leinster, I liked to go at guys on the outside. I did it a couple of times and had a bit of success; it was kind of my go-to.
“It was actually Fergus McFadden who was defending against me [in training] and I got the ball. I had a go on that outside arc and he was there waiting. He absolutely ended me because he knew it was coming.”
“He’s definitely that guy, during the week, his name will be up there on the analysis board as Leinster’s biggest threat,” Macken added, “His feet, his pace, so the opposition will be waiting for him and that will be a real test for him then.”
Larmour, Stockdale and Carbery will be high up on those boards now and they should take a lesson from that thumping training ground tackle, copped by Macken. The hard work has only begun.
Former Ulster and All Blacks prop John Afoa was also interviewed while Andy McGeady and Pat McCarry were joined by Macken to preview all the Champions Cup action.
Here’s what else was covered on the show…
EPISODE 46 – RUNNING ORDER
1.25 – One of the best senior cup teams
3.30 – Playing with superstars in Wasps
5.00 – The extraordinary pace of Christian Wade
9.30 – Fergus McFadden deserving his place
11.40 – Sean Cronin
14.30 – Stuart Lancaster’ importance to the Leinster youngsters
17.00 – The time Fergus McFadden absolutely ended Brendan Macken
18.20 – Tadhg Beirne omission
21.00- Tommy Bowe tribute
23.00 – John Afoa interview
38.00 – Game previews
48.00 – Listener questions and Ryle Nugent impression
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