Caolin Blade in line for Ireland call-up as injuries hit Six Nations plans

Ireland are not into a crisis just yet, but Joe Schmidt could do without any more 9s pulling up or getting dinged up.

The Champions Cup weekend began with Conor Murray reminding all of Europe that he is the best scrum-half in town - whatever town he happens to be playing in. The Munster 9 ran the show at Kingsholm and is building a nice partnership with half-back partner Joey Carbery. His box-kicking caused terrors for the Gloucester back three and two of his passes - for Carbery and Keith Earls tries - unlocked the home defence. Two months back from his neck injury, Murray is looking as good as ever. Now for the bad news. Saturday afternoon saw Luke McGrath have another fine game for Leinster but his knee crumpled during an attack, near the Toulouse tryline, and he looked in a bad way. He had to be helped off the field and Leinster head coach Leo Cullen confirmed McGrath had injured his knee. He did not speculate on a time-frame of recovery but McGrath may be facing a couple of months out. Around the same time, up the M1 at Kingspan Stadium, Ulster were withdrawing John Cooney from their starting XV. The goal-kicking scrum-half was included on the matchday team-sheets but he pulled up with back issues and Ulster drafted in Dave Shanahan. Kieran Marmion, who started the November Tests against Argentina and New Zealand, went for ankle surgery six weeks ago and is not back in full training. That leaves Ireland with just one Test-capped No.9 fit at present, Conor Murray.

'Best ever season'

Cooney should be fit in time for the Six Nations opener against England and he may even be cleared to line out for Ulster against Leicester at Welford Road next weekend. Some in the Irish set-up may urge caution but Dan McFarland's side need to beat Tigers, and possibly claim a bonus point in doing so, to have a hope of making the quarter-finals. Marmion proved, when playing through ankle troubles in November, that he is a tough cookie so he could yet make a miraculous return for early February. Connacht play Cardiff on January 26 so that may be the date circled in the calendar for a Marmion comeback. With the World Cup just eight months away, though, it would be advisable to make sure Marmion's ankle is fully healed and call in his provincial teammate. Caolin Blade is into his fourth season with Connacht's senior squad and is currently enjoying his best ever season. He is the next, natural taxi off the rank of eligible, talented scrum-halves. Nigel Carolan was asked, back in 2014, to predict Connacht's next player to make the seamless academy-to-senior professional transition. Without hesitation, he named Blade. The 24-year-old scrum-half made his provincial debut in 2015 and has already amassed 82 senior caps. Former Connacht coach Pat Lam had no doubts about turning to him in big games and spoke highly of his distribution and game management. New coach Andy Friend is obviously a fan too - Blade has already made 18 appearances this season. Blade has played ever interpro for Connacht this season and he has struck up an exciting partnership with Jack Carty. Against Ulster and Leinster, the pair ripped through the opposition defences with great lines and wonderfully timed passes. Blade scored two tries and had another couple of assists then put in another solid performance against Munster, last weekend. Even before the injuries to Cooney and McGrath, the Galway native was being talked up as an Ireland prospect. Joe Schmidt is set to name his wider Ireland squad for the Six Nations midweek and the inclusion of Blade would be a welcome sight. Caolin Blade has fully merited a summons to Carton House at the end of the month.