We’re going to put it out there from the start – Rob Kearney had a decent game against Wales.
The Irish fullback ruled the air, tackled feverishly in defence and shut down a couple of decent try-scoring chances. He made 36 metres off 14 carries and left a couple of Welshmen in his wake.
Friday Night Shite#WALvIRE #ratingshttps://t.co/3xiBrcakAK
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) March 10, 2017
He was far from perfect – no Irish player could claim to be – but he was one that, in our view, emerged with some credit to his name.
Still, we’re not sure if we would be starting him for the British & Irish Lions based on last Friday’s outing.
That is exactly what Martin Johnson has done in his latest Lions XV. The former England and Lions captain named two Irish players in his team based on round four of the Six Nations championship.
Jack McGrath is there, along with Kearney, in a team that features eight English players and five Welsh.
Lions legend & @SLI_Global ambassador Martin Johnson picks his #LionsXV, based on Round 4 of the Championship: https://t.co/f1muDQBJVV pic.twitter.com/kEe7MtuvH5
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) March 14, 2017
The competition for Kearney would have come from Leigh Halfpenny, who made more metres and line breaks off less carries and who landed more tackles. Halfpenny was not quite so assured under the high ball.
Scotland’s Stuart Hogg, who is favourite to get the red 15 jersey, was subdued in his team’s tanking to England. Mike Brown had a barnstormer though. The Harlequins and England fullback made a devastating 104 metres gained off 18 carries as he savaged the Scots. Brown didn’t miss a tackle.
Not everyone was convinced by Johnson’s selection…
Kearney has been awful how's he getting into teams?
— Obi One Two Three (@ObiOneTwo3) March 14, 2017
@lueurzoe who makes these? Rob Kearney not a chance
— vic keogh (@SLICKVIC_99) March 14, 2017
Kearney what was he watching ??
— Micheál Callan (@callan_micheal) March 14, 2017
genuine question…. did you ask him after he was a few beers down??
— Fraser Morgan (@frasermorgan7) March 14, 2017
And some people, who can’t seem to count, are not happy either.
bonkers selection! Only one Irish player! No CJ,Murray or Sexton!
— Martin Lane (@Laner15irl) March 14, 2017
Kearney was electric in 2009 and did well to come back from injury on the 2013 tour to Australia. Hogg and Halfpenny seem certain to travel so Kearney will have his work cut out for him.
A Chicago-esque performance from the Leinster man this weekend may help…
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