As seen here
After that performance, the bandwagon for Deccie to leave has
gotten bigger and bigger. This isn't a post about whether he should stay or go,
but rather, what needs to be done between now and the World Cup. Whenever the
World Cup comes around, it's emphasised that the World Cup is the be all and
end all, and that teams should be focusing on it. I, for one, would love to see
Ireland finally do well at the World Cup. That Welsh game was the most
depressed I've been about sport in my life, and I'd rather not go through it
again.
Thus far under Kidney's reign, rightly or wrongly, there has
always been an emphasis on the next game. Best players out for winning as many
games as possible. This means that players who won't make the world cup are
collecting caps, while promising youngsters sit on the bench. This means that
when the pressure situation comes, the young players don't have enough
experience to know what to do.
Take a look at England. Stuart Lancaster decided last 6 Nations to
build a squad for 2015 World Cup. They have been blooding young talented
players that will play a huge part in their fortunes over the next few years.
Some have even begun to be mentioned as Lions candidates. People like Tom
Youngs, Joe Marler, Mako Vunipola, Joe Launchbury, Geoff Parling, Tom Johnson,
Chris Robshaw, Ben Morgan, Freddie Burns, Owen Farrell, Jonathan Joseph, Billy
Twelvetrees, Alex Goode and Brad Barritt have all either made their debut or
been brought into the squad and started featuring as a regular since Lancaster
took over.
Lancaster has managed to bring in these talents while making huge
strides and winning matches. That must be the goal for Kidney. Bringing in too
much too soon will be bad, but not bringing in enough is detrimental in the
long run. I firmly believe that most of Kidney's youthful introductions to the
side are forced on him through injury like Marshall and Jackson last weekend or
Zebo to fullback last November. If Kearney had been fit, or Sexton and D'Arcy
fit now, it wouldn't be unreasonable to suggest that all three talented
youngsters might still be waiting for their first caps.
This 6 Nations should be the perfect time to blood inexperience.
It's the first chance after the World Cup seeding is settled so there isn't as
much pressure. Especially now that the championship has gone for another year,
the time to give experience is now. The only way that Kidney can attempt to win
another contract is by doing some forward thinking and preparing this side for
the challenge in 2 years’ time.
There are a number of talented players on the cusp of the national
side that need exposure and will be needed in the next two years. Players like
Kilcoyne, Strauss, Sherry, Tuohy, Henderson, Ruddock, O'Donnell, Ryan, Marmion,
Paul Marshall, Madigan, Jackson, Luke Marshall, McSharry, Cave, O'Malley,
O'Hallorhan, Felix Jones and Henshaw are going to be in the top two or three in
their positions in two years and are ready to make the step up to
internationals now. Others like Paddy Butler, Jordi Murphy, Jared Payne and Ian
Keatley will be ready soon and need their chance too. While the tight head prop
situation needs someone to get some time, whether it's Fitzpatrick, Bent,
Archer, John Ryan or someone completely left field like Nathan White.
The overall focus has to be developing a squad of 30-40 quality
alternatives for the World Cup cycles. This means that quality youngsters have
to be given the chance to show what they can do. We've already seen the
uplifting impact they can have on the squad, so why not give those chances.
Kidney only blooded Marshall and Jackson because of injuries. And there are
many others that are worth having a look at.
Players aren't
trusted because they've no experience. Now is the time to give them some of
this experience. Whether Cian Healy or Jonathan Sexton are available for France
or not, neither should play. Kilcoyne and Jackson need another go. As does
Marshall, but I think he's earned it. Kidney needs to help Jackson out by
selecting McFadden on the wing in place of Earls, while letting Gilroy continue
his acclimatization to this level. Henderson needs to be thrown in at
the deep end, while Dan Tuohy and maybe Tommy O'Donnell should be on the bench
at least. I would also like to see Reddan replaced on the bench. Not because
he's not good enough, but when the world cup comes around he'll be 34, and
Marmion or Marshall will be in a better position to challenge Murray.
Speaking of
experience, last Autumn Chris Robshaw was lambasted for some poor decision
making in defeat to South Africa. Fast forward a few months and its Jamie Heaslip's
turn. The decision has been made Heaslip is captain. It wouldn't have been my
choice, but nonetheless, Heaslip will make a great captain. He will learn on
the job. It's said leaders are born, but leaders can be made too. And not all
born leaders take to it straight away. Heaslip is the man, and keeping him in
the captaincy is the right call. Sure there were doubts when O'Driscoll was
made captain the first time. And there were concerns about Keith
Wood.
Team for France:
1. Kilcoyne
2. Best
3. Ross
4. Ryan
5. Tuohy
6. O'Mahony
7. O'Brien
8. Heaslip
9. Murray
10. Jackson
11. McFadden
12. Marshall
13. O'Driscoll
14. Gilroy
15. Kearney
16. Cronin /Sherry - just as long as they get on this time
17. Tom Court
18. Fitzpatrick
19. Henderson
20. O'Donnell
21. Marmion
22. Madigan
23. Fitzgerald / Darren Cave
Team for Italy (injury permitting)
1. Kilcoyne
2. Cronin
3. Fitzpatrick
4. Tuohy
5. Ryan
6. Henderson
7. O’Donnell
8. Heaslip
9. Murray
10. Jackson
11. McFadden
12. Marshall
13. Cave
14. Gilroy
15. Kearney
16. Best.
17. Court
18. Bent
19. Stevenson
20. O’Mahony
21. Marmion
22. Madigan
23. Fitzgerald
