On November 3, Garry Ringrose was named on the Ireland replacements’ bench for their game against New Zealand at Soldier Field.
Having trained with Ireland in late 2015 and ahead of the 2016 Six Nations, Ringrose’s Ireland debut felt like it was a long time coming. By naming him on the bench, Joe Schmidt teased at a long-awaited Irish bow and many of us got ahead of ourselves.
Some weeks ago, inebriated, I proclaimed that Garry Ringrose – currently uncapped for Ireland – would tour NZ with the Lions next year…
— Paddy von Behr (@paddyvb) November 3, 2016
Ringrose remained on the bench as Ireland closed out a tense, thrilling 40-29 win over the All Blacks. The wait was over just seven days later as he started in the 13 jersey against Canada. He had a try disallowed but looked more than ready for Test rugby.
His next two games confirmed him as a reliable inside centre option. Robbie Henshaw’s early on in the return tie with the All Blacks saw Schmidt draft him in as an emergency No.12.
He was good against the All Blacks and superb against Australia, on November 26, scoring a ducking, jinking try that left three men on their heels.
Ringrose has continued where he left off after returning to Leinster duty in the Champions Cup. He has delivered to well-rounded, threatening performances against Northampton Saints and Leinster look well set for a home quarter final.
Ringrose’s latest performance sees him included in the British & Irish Lions team of the week on prominent rugby website ESPN. The piece, which also includes Ultan Dillane, Sean O’Brien and Josh van der Flier, states:
‘The Leinster youngster put in some big tackles, and made some good breaks against Northampton. An outside bet but if injury puts him into the Irish team he could make the trip [to New Zealand].’
ESPN are not the only ones talking Ringrose up. Brian O’Driscoll told SportsJOE that Ringrose and Henshaw should start the 2017 Six Nations in the Irish midfield if Jared Payne does not return from injury in time. He said:
“Garry has some beautiful subtlety to his game. I think his offloading is top class. He’s got great feet, he’s fast, a very, very proficient tackler who doesn’t miss many hits. They are just going to compliment each other as the years go on.
“It makes sense that the two boys are going to be playing together provincially. Provided they keep up their current form, they should be the perfect fit in the Irish jersey.”
With Leinster and Ireland really motoring, the idea of Ringrose mixing it with the All Blacks again, next summer, is not as far-fetched as it might have seemed back in October.
Wonder if Ray Crotty ever got odds for this stunning piece if clairvoyance
@AskPaddyPower Could I get odds on Garry Ringrose to make the 2017 Lions tour squad to New Zealand. And also the 2021 to SA #pppricerequests
— Raymond Crotty (@RCrotty23) November 5, 2014
The odds would be a lot, lot shorter today.
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