Neither has played in the Six Nations before.
Joe Schmidt and Ireland captains Rory Best and Ciara Griffin were in London today for the official launch of the 2018 Six Nations.
England are reigning champions, from 2016 and 2017, but Eddie Jones insists their growing injury list means they have “no hope” of making it three titles in a row. A lot of money has been pumped on Ireland to win the championship in recent weeks but Schmidt was at pains to tell reporters his team is missing some proven quality too.
“We’ve got 13 players injured,” he said, “missing some senior guys, like Sean O’Brien. Jared Payne was pivotal to us the last time we won the Six Nations [2015], and he’s only played once in the last year.
Even still punters and pundits are turning to Ireland due to the Champions Cup form of Leinster, Munster and, to a lesser extent, Ulster, the emergence of some top young talents and the fact that Ireland have three home games in a row. The Six Nations is often won by the team that builds momentum the quickest. If Ireland can win away in France, to start, they will be well placed for a tilt at the title.
To that end, Schmidt may be willing to go for the jugular of one of Les Bleus’ most inexperienced sides in recent tournament history and a side being led by newly installed coach Jacques Brunel.
France may seek to bring Ireland into the trenches, as they did for their 2016 Six Nations win in Paris, but Ireland now possess a backline with the potential to blitz them off the park. Jacob Stockdale has four tries in four Tests, Keith Earls and Robbie Henshaw are in sensational form, Rob Kearney is a player revitalised, and Jordan Larmour has shot his hand up for selection.
“Jacob should be right to train by the end of this week,” Schmidt told The Irish Examiner, “and then he’d be in the mix for France.” As for Larmour, the next few training sessions could yet see him force his coach’s hand. Schmidt commented:
“It’s potentially a chance now to accelerate his progress into a matchday squad and a starting XV.
“The most visible things are his ability to accelerate and change direction, but he’s skillful, effective in the air, good passing skills and commits to the physical as well. He’s a really good kid and that’s appealing as well.”
That 2016 Six Nations saw the likes of Ultan Dillane and Josh van der Flier come in for debuts while Garry Ringrose was used from the off in last year’s championship.
If players are good enough and present Ireland with a better opportunity of victory, Schmidt will have no hesitation in throwing them in.
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