Japan 2019 is only four short years away.
With the 2015 World Cup consigned to the pages of history – for Ireland anyway – it’s time to focus on the future.
For all the talk that this was this was the strongest, most talented and best prepared Ireland squad ever brought to a World Cup, the end result was no better than those that went before as Joe Schmidt’s side were booted out of the tournament by a rampant Argentina side at the quarter-final stage.
That last-four berth remains elusive, and with so many stars of the past decade of Irish success at, or nearing, the end of their careers, it’s an appropriate time to look ahead to Japan and see what our side might look like in four years’ time in case many of the current crop of heroes are no longer available.
1 Jack McGrath (29)
Cian Healy will still be around and, at 31, still in the prime of his career as a prop, but we just fancy his Leinster understudy McGrath, who put in a mighty performance in a effort to turn things Ireland’s way in Cardiff on Sunday, might usurp him over the coming seasons.
2 Sean Cronin (33)
Ulster stalwart Rory Best will be long gone by 2019, leaving Leinster pair Sean Cronin and Richardt Strauss to scrap over the No.2 jersey.
3 Mike Ross (39)
Just kidding! Jokes, right?
3 Tadhg Furlong (26)
Furlong was the youngest member of the squad this time round and has long been spoken of as a future tenured member of the Irish front row.
4 Cian Romaine (24)
Devin Toner will still be around but will be 33 in 2019, so we’ve taken a bit of a gamble and plumped for young Connacht lock Romaine. The English-born forward already stands an imposing 6ft 5in and nearly 19st and broke into the Ireland Under-20 set-up last season.
5 Iain Henderson (27)
We’ve already written here about the Ulster giant’s potential to step into the massive shoes vacated by Paul O’Connell. By 2019, Henderson should be a household name in world rugby if he continues to deliver on his talents.
6 Peter O’Mahony (30) Captain
We’d all dearly love to see both Peter O’Mahony and Sean O’Brien, who will be 32, carry on tearing strips off international sides for the next four years but our heads tell us that at least one will succumb to the incredible physical demands they place on their bodies.
So we’ve limited ourselves to one of the two and this case it’s the younger O’Mahony who is chosen, the Munster captain taking over the national team’s armband as well.
7 Jake Heenan (27)
Shoulder injuries have already taken their toll on the former New Zealand U-20 captain, but he is already an influential figure in the Connacht dressing room and has star quality.
8 CJ Stander (29)
We would’t be surprised to see Irish iron man Jamie Heaslip continue well into his mid-30s, but the younger Stander gets the nod at the back of the scrum. The South African has been a fearsome ball-carrier for Munster since his arrival on these shores and it would be no surprise to see him worked into the mix for the Six Nations now that he is qualified to play for Ireland.
9 Conor Murray (30)
Murray won’t be a million miles away from the 100-cap mark if he remains first-choice and injury free for the next World Cup cycle, and will be a key voice of experience in Japan.
10 JJ Hanrahan (27)
Jonathan Sexton will be 34, a year older than All Black legend Dan Carter is now, and could well still be pulling the strings alongside Murray. But if not, there will be quite the battle to replace the returning Leinster hero, with current back-ups Ian Madigan and Paddy Jackson vying with up-and-comers like Leinster youngster Cathal Marsh and ex-Munster ten JJ Hanrahan.
The Kerry man has moved to Northampton in a bid to further his Ireland ambitions as he faces a crucial period in his rugby development but he has the tools to play at the highest level.
11 Simon Zebo (29)
Having drifted around the fringes of the Irish side over the last few seasons, Zebo couldn’t quite claim one of the starting wing berths in Joe Schmidt’s side this month, but we’re backing him to claim the No.11 shirt for the long-term.
12 Robbie Henshaw (26)
Whether it’s at 12, 13 or 15, Henshaw is set to be a fixture in the Irish back-line for the best part of a decade. Has adapted well to the physical demands at inside centre and seems set to continue there for as long as Schmidt is in charge. If the Connacht man does move outside, expect imposing Ulster midfield man Stuart McCloskey to find his way into the reckoning at inside centre.
13 Garry Ringrose (24)
The jewel in the crown of the Leinster academy, Ringrose cemented his status among the rising stars of world rugby with some superb displays at last year’s Under-20 World Cup. The gifted centre was also shortlisted for the World U-20 Player of the Year in 2014 (a prize won by current Springbok fly-half Handre Pollard), and has already been handed his Leinster debut this season.
14 Stephen Fitzgerald (23)
A real bolter here. The speedy Fitzgerald scored a try on his Munster senior debut last month in Swansea and has five tries in eight games for the Ireland Under-20s.
15 Stuart Olding (26)
It’s only a matter of time before the gifted Olding is given the chance to transfer his Ulster performances to a green jersey. Can also play in the centre but there should be less competition at 15 if a replacement for Rob Kearney, who will be 33, when Japan rolls around, needs to be found.
Replacements:
16 Duncan Casey (28)
Munster’s Young Player of the Year burst onto the scene last season, scoring four tries for the province.
17 Cian Healy (31)
If he can stay free of injuries, Healy and McGrath should continue to provide a selection headache for Ireland’s coaches for years to come. Would be a devastating impact sub.
18 Martin Moore (28)
Saw Furlong seize the opportunity provided by his pre-World Cup injury woes but is already back in action for Leinster and will be ready to battle it out for provincial and national game-time.
19 Dave Foley (31)
There is going to be plenty of playing time available in the Munster second row in the near future, and Foley has the ability to nail down one of the two spots and stake his claim for international recognition.
20 Jack Conan (27)
The back row will continue to be a hotly-contested unit, with Sean O’Brien, Jordi Murphy and Tommy O’Donnell all missing out on our 23 and bright talents coming through in all four provinces.
Conan got a taste of international rugby in the World Cup warm-ups and he edges out the equally versatile Murphy to provide our back-row cover.
21 Kieran Marmion (27)
Eoin Reddan and Isaac Boss will certainly not be around in four years’ time, leaving Connacht scrum-half Kieran Marmion as the man to keep Conor Murray honest.
22 Ian Madigan (30)
‘Gazza’ flexibility behind the scrum means he hangs on to his back-up role ahead of the frustrated Paddy Jackson. Recent Munster signing Tyler Bleyendaal is an intriguing option should he complete his residency requirement and pursue a career with Ireland.
23 Luke Fitzgerald (32)
No, we just can’t quit Fitz. Injuries have robbed him of so much of his career to date, we’d be delighted to see him still going strong in four years. He’ll still have plenty of rivals though, with Dave Kearney (30), Craig Gilroy (28) and Keith Earls (turning 32) among those going to be fighting for selection.
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