The experimental Ireland side we would like to see vs Georgia

A team bursting with potential!

With Paul O’Connell having picked his 35-man Ireland squad for the summer tour to Georgia and Portugal, we have gone and named a team with seven uncapped players to go up against the Georgians on July 5.

Front row

Jack Boyle finds himself as a relatively experienced head among this front five, a position he won’t find himself again with Ireland for another season or two.

This is huge for his development as a leader, while having his scrummaging severely tested by the Georgians.

The same applies for Gus McCarthy, who we think will be in the running a MOTM award given his work rate and abrasive nature.

We know what Finlay Bealham brings, but the team needs a smattering of vets to get the most out of the newer heads.

Second row

Darragh Murray is the only out-and-out second row in the squad, but Cormac Izuchukwu’s days as a blindside/lock hybrid look to be coming to an end for both club and country.

The former’s skill at set-piece will be crucial, and his nitty-gritty work allows others to flourish in the loose.

Back row

Tom Ahern’s debut has been a long, long time coming, and he simply has to start.

His Munster teammate Gavin Coombes also deserves a start after finally getting back into the squad.

Nick Timoney should round out the back row at openside, in what is a quick Irish pack.

Half-back

Captain Craig Casey will and should start, allowing a debutant in Ben Murphy or Nathan Doak to bring the game home when it opens up.

With Sam Prendergast getting the majority of the minutes in the Six Nations, Jack Crowley deserves his place, and could play the full 80 minutes, moving to 12 when the Leinster No 10 comes on.

Both men will be looking to show that they’ve ironed out serious flaws in their game.

Centre

Like Bealham and Casey, Stuart McCloskey will be guiding the younglings, and providing his signature go-forward ball and offloads.

Connacht’s Hugh Gavin is the best prospect in the squad and will form a big midfield with McCloskey.

Back three

Jacob Stockdale has been nearing his best in recent months, and given the age of James Lowe, he looks more likely to be the main option for the next World Cup.

It is imperative that he gets more games in green under his belt.

Tommy O’Brien’s form after years of injury woe has marked him out as a challenger to Mack Hansen on the right wing, and should cap off the best year of his career with a debut.

Jamie Osborne will likely fill out the back line at fullback.

Ireland team vs Georgia:

1. Jack Boyle
2. Gus McCarthy
3. Finlay Bealham
4. Darragh Murray
5. Cormac Izuchukwu
6. Tom Ahern
7. Nick Timoney
8. Gavin Coombes
9. Craig Casey
10. Jack Crowley
11. Jacob Stockdale
12. Stuart McCloskey
13. Hugh Gavin
14. Tommy O’Brien
15. Jamie Osborne

Replacements: Tom Stewart, Michael Milne, Tom O’Toole, Ryan Baird, Alex Kendellen, Ben Murphy, Sam Prendergast, Jimmy O’Brien.

The FootballJOE quiz: Were you paying attention? – episode 10