All but one of these players has been capped before but none would call themselves certain starters for Joe Schmidt.
We are currently two games deep into the festive inter-provincial games in the Guinness PRO14 and the games have not disappointed.
Connacht kicked off the run of six province-versus-province games in 17 days by walloping a listless Ulster at The Sportsground on December 23. Leinster were accused, in some quarters, of sending a weakened team to Thomond Park but they rumbled Munster in one of the games of the season.
New Years’ Day saw Connacht fall agonisingly short at The RDS after really putting it up to Leinster. Up the road, in Belfast, Ulster came back from 17-0 down to beat Munster 24-17 in a corker.
There is little let-up as all four provinces lace up and go again this weekend – Connacht travelling to Munster and Leinster hosting Ulster. Following that we have rounds five and six of the Champions, and Challenge, Cup pool stages and the quarter are all in good shape to reach the knock-out stages.
There are four rounds of PRO14 fixtures taking place during the Six Nations but several Irish stars will be hoping to be out training and preparing, at Carton House, for Test matches during that period. Here are the seven men we feel have shot their hands up to be selected in Joe Schmidt’s squad.
John Cooney
Flying it up at Ulster. Was called into Ireland’s two-day camp in mid December and showed his versatility by covering at outhalf in a few drills, under the close eye of Schmidt. Was well regarded by the Connacht faithful, who were sorry to see him go, and the Ulster fans have taken to him as well.
Did well in the back-to-back wins over Harlequins and tried his best on a bad night for Ulster over in Galway. Was excellent against Munster – making clean breaks, plaguing the opposition during the second half comeback and kicking two penalties – and deservedly claimed the man-of-the-match award.
Jordan Larmour
Heavens above, what a game he had in Limerick.
The 20-year-old began the season on the left wing but was tasked with playing fullback when Joey Carbery was injured against Fiji. Was a player that had been talked up as one to watch over the summer, after his star turns for Leinster and Ireland’s underage sides, but he has kicked on so much quicker than most may have expected. 11 games [six starts] into his professional career and four tries registered already.
TG4’s clip of Larmour’s 70-yard counter-attack try has been watched over 100,000 times since December 26 and for good reason. This was nothing short of sensational and Larmour switching his hold on the ball to fend off Simon Zebo, after scorching half of the Munster team, spoke of a truly clued in player.
An bhfaca tú i leithéid i riamh? #MUNvLEIN @leinsterrugby pic.twitter.com/zeOTkSOkMy
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) December 26, 2017
Schmidt may call him in for some training sessions but Larmour could force the issue if he gets a chance in Leinster’s final two Champions Cup games.
Sean Cronin
Was a surprise exclusion from the November internationals squad and also missed out on the two-day camp at Carton House last month. Schmidt may be assessing his options at hooker as both Cronin and Rory Best are in their 30s, but it would be a shame to lose him from the Test mix.
Had a superb game against Connacht and caused Bundee Aki a few flutters when he sprinted past him on the outside. Luckily, for Aki’s sake, he was able to cling onto the back on Cronin’s jersey. The lineout darts were good, Cronin stuck all his tackles and was an effective ball-carrier again.
Sean Cronin almost burns Bundee on the outside, with a shimmy and a shake.
He's great to watch in the loose. #LEIvCON— Ross Cannon (@Migeycan) January 1, 2018
Not getting over for as many tries as he was in the past two seasons but still making metres and getting his team on the front foot. Did well in the back-to-back victories over Exeter, even after knocking a tooth out in one shuddering clash.
Craig Gilroy
Four tries in his last three games and six in an injury-shortened season already. His standards never drop too far but he has looked back to his very best in the past month. Grabbed two crucial scores in Ulster’s excellent comeback over Munster – showing pace, awareness and determination.
What a second half we are having in Belfast!@Munsterrugby have seen Sam Arnold red carded and @UlsterRugby have got the bit between their teeth. Tune into @BBCSPORTNI to watch the last 15 minutes!#GUINNESSPRO14 #ULSvMUN pic.twitter.com/WmvTKezeGa
— PRO14 RUGBY (@PRO14Official) January 1, 2018
Schmidt mentioned Gilroy as a potential wing option for the Six Nations after the win over Argentina but did not call him into the mini camp last month. One of the best finishers on the island and there is surely a place in the squad for him.
Niall Scannell
Fantastic to see this lad back after his thumb injury forced him to miss the November internationals. Came back for Munster in the Champions Cup win away to Leicester Tigers and was part of a Munster pack that bossed Ulster in the first half at Kingspan Stadium. Helped himself to two tries in the opening 40.
Rory Best looks set to be the starting hooker for the championship but Scannell will be hoping to jump the queue and act as deputy to the Ireland captain again. May even get a start in one of Ireland’s three home games during the campaign.
Josh van der Flier
Will definitely be in the training squad and may even make the matchday squad but van der Flier continues to make a case to be a starter in the Ireland team.
Missed out on the November Tests with injury but returned to play a big part in Leinster’s dual wins over Exeter. Featured off the bench against Munster then put in an 85-minute tackling and breakdown masterclass in the tough win over Connacht.
ALL HAIL JOSH VAN DER FLIER!!! https://t.co/jPcNnupXtS
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) January 1, 2018
Earlier this season, former Ireland blindside Stephen Ferris told The Hard Yards:
“Every time Josh plays, he impresses me. He doesn’t ever really seem to have a bad game. The coaches are always talking about him, talking him up, and he always seems to deliver when the pressure comes on and in the big games.”
He continues to improve and, along with Dan Leavy and Max Deegan, Leinster have produced more back row behemoths.
Tiernan O’Halloran
Had a hard but, he felt, helpful chat with Schmidt after missing out on the Guinness Series. Injury saw him miss the start of the season and he failed to hit the ground running, which saw him miss out on the Ireland squad after a good summer tour.
Has responded well to Schmidt’s critique and has been one of the nation’s best backs over the past three months. Seems to up his game for the big matches and was brilliant against Ulster. Did well, too, in the loss to Leinster. Worth a chance to prove himself in the Ireland squad again.
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