Gavin Coombes position switch opens up exciting options for New Zealand tour

"He's having the season of his life."

Gavin Coombes scored 15 tries in 22 Munster games [17 starts] last season, but many in Irish rugby feel he has kicked on again in 2021/22. The Cork native established himself as a No.8 of fearsome athleticism and power, and stepped in seamlessly for CJ Stander. Coombes has two Test outings for Ireland, but he will have been disappointed not to have featured in the recently concluded Six Nations. Friday night in his hometown, Coombes lined out in the No.4 jersey for the first time in his professional career. He has covered lock off the bench before, but this was first first senior start in the second row. He adjusted well to the position switch, made a few big carries over the gainline and helped himself to a second half try. On the latest House of Rugby URC [LISTEN from 19:20 below], Greg O'Shea, Lindsay Peat and former Italy outhalf Ian McKinley gave their take on the versatile Gavin Coombes, and what it could mean for his Ireland chances. [caption id="attachment_245466" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Gavin Coombes (centre) celebrates after Craig Casey scores a try against Cell C Sharks at Thomond Park. (Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile)[/caption]

Could Gavin Coombes feature in Ireland's second row?

Discussing Munster's 51-22 victory over Benetton Treviso, at Musgrave Park, Lindsay Peat noted how well Gavin Coombes fared in the second row. "Was that for Munster's benefit," she asked Ian McKinley, "or was it giving him the chance to show his versatility, like Tadhg Beirne, and show he can play in the back row or second row?"

"He's 6-foot-6, so he's big enough to play in the second row. I still think, though, that he's good enough to compete for back row positions, with Ireland. "[Ireland] going up against the likes of South Africa or France, it gives Coombes some valuable game-time under his belt there, and it gives us options. "There is a bit of a shortage in the second row, particularly that last game-day against Scotland, when we had injuries. Is that is something that maybe has been looked at? I can't answer it, I don't know, but I still think he offers a lot in the back row... I see him being a dominant 8."

Greg O'Shea believes Coombes may yet get more runs out in the second row to prove he can be a hybrid forward at the top level - capable of switching positions if needs be. Leinster locks James Ryan and Ryan Baird are currently out of the reckoning with concussion and back issues, while Ireland are not looking at Ultan Dillane since it was confirmed he would be leaving Connacht at the end of this season. Ulster's Kieran Treadwell backed up Beirne and Iain Henderson for that Scotland game, while Leinster's Joe McCarthy and Ross Molony were called in to train with the senior squad. Adding some big second row options - a box Coombes would tick - is something Ireland forwards coach Paul O'Connell is keen to do with his pack. Speaking with us in early 2021, he made an interesting comment out Ryan Baird and how he could need for bulk to be a long-term second row option for Ireland.

"There is very few 110 or 112 kilo second rows playing international rugby now," said O'Connell. "You look at the second row pairing that South Africa had that helped them dominate England in the World Cup final, you do need weight, you need to be an athlete, you need to be fast, have great footwork to play in the second row, like maybe you didn’t need when I played. But you do need the bulk."

Coombes and Baird are not too dissimilar in terms of height and weight, as is Beirne. Coombes, though, has the frame to add on two or three more kilos and still maintain that athleticism. Beirne's big 'in' with Ireland, in his first couple of years within the senior set-up, was his versatility. Coombes would do his Ireland chances no harm at all with a couple more second row outings before the club season is out, and Andy Farrell selects his squad to tour New Zealand.

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