Why emerging Ireland tour is vital step on road to World Cup
The whole project will have a distinctly off-Broadway vibe. The British and Irish Lions tour will be grabbing the majority of the media attention. Save for a small travelling press corps, an inexperienced coaching team and a largely youthful squad won't be under much scrutiny.
It lends to a more relaxed atmosphere. Things happen on these tours which would never transpire during a summer series in the southern hemisphere, the Six Nations or the autumn internationals. The Ireland team with IRFU President Declan Madden. Pic: INPHO/Ben Brady
In the midst of the 2017 tour of the US and Japan, a group of Irish journalists were left stranded after taking in a late-night baseball game in downtown Tokyo when their scheduled taxi never turned up.
Joe Schmidt and a host of young players were at the same event, and the then-Ireland head coach offered the same reporters a lift back to their hotel on the team bus.
Always a stickler for detail, Schmidt then informed the journalists on board that it was tradition for first-timers on the team coach to sing a song. This gig can take you down some strange avenues. It wouldn't have happened on the week of an All Blacks game, that's for sure. Head Coach Joe Schmidt. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo
Yes, these expeditions have a more old-school feel to them but there are massive benefits to be reaped from testing some fringe players on foreign lands.
Andrew Porter, James Ryan and Jacob Stockdale made their international debuts on that summer tour eight years ago. Andrew Conway had a solitary Test cap to his name. Joey Carbery had played just three games for his country. Josh van der Flier, Finlay Bealham, Jack Conan and Dan Leavy had a total of 16 caps between them.
Ronan O'Gara, Felix Jones and Girvan Dempsey also travelled as coaching apprentices. Suffice it to say, a lot of those investments paid off down the line. Ronan O'Gara Pic: XAVIER LEOTY / AFP
Watching on from Australia, Andy Farrell will be keeping close tabs on what transpires in Tbilisi and Lisbon. It won't just be the performances on the field which pique the Ireland head coach's interest; Farrell will be eager to hear which players thrived in the environment. Which players got out of their comfort zone and showed potential to be a Test regular? Which players struggled and went into their shells? It will all go into the post-tour report.
This two-game series might feel small and inconsequential when stacked up against the Lions tour Down Under. However, there is plenty at stake for the players on duty. This is a chance to lay down a marker ahead of the autumn internationals as well as the 2026 Six Nations.
It's clear that Ireland is in need of some fresh blood and a reboot after a middling season thus far. The summer presents an opportunity for the next generation to state their case. Pic:And there will be opportunities aplenty. Ireland's record haul of 15 Lions this summer has opened up numerous slots in the touring squad. Cian Healy, Peter O'Mahony and Conor Murray are retiring from Test duty, while Caelan Doris and Robbie Henshaw are long-term injury absentees. No doubt, a few more seasoned frontliners might take the summer off to rest up and get their bodies right for next season.
O'Connell and the rest of his backroom team will get to drill down into the front-row stocks. It almost feels like that Georgia game was designed to put the heat on Ireland's fledgling props. Finlay Bealham and Tom O'Toole will be brought on the flight to lend their considerable experience, but this summer will be all about seeing whether the likes of Jack Boyle, Tom Clarkson, Michael Milne and Paddy McCarthy can take the heat at scrum time.
Boyle and Clarkson have made big strides in the past 12 months. The Irish management will be hoping they take a few more steps forward in July. Ireland's James Ryan. Pic: INPHO/Dan Sheridan
The second row is another department, which is wide open. Tadhg Beirne, Joe McCarthy and James Ryan will be on Lions duty, so this is a huge opportunity for some young locks to catch the eye.
Iain Henderson is likely to tour as the elder statesman, guiding a young crew featuring his Ulster teammate Cormac Izuchuckwu, Munster pair Tom Ahern and Edwin Edogbo, as well as Connacht lock Darragh Murray.
Back row? Despite the absence of some big names is an area which is loaded with talent. Ryan Baird and Max Deegan will fancy their chances of seeing plenty of game time, while Connacht captain Cian Prendergast has been a regular fixture in Ireland squads for quite some time. The big question is whether the Munster duo of John Hodnett and Gavin Coombes can make an impression. Neither has felt the love from Farrell, but a big tour can change perceptions. Ulster flanker James McNabney deserves a spot, too. Craig Casey. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Craig Casey would be a good shout for tour captain, while Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley should benefit from a tour out of the spotlight. Connacht scrumhalf Ben Murphy should be rewarded for a brilliant URC campaign, while Ciarán Frawley will look to make up lost ground after a season which promised so much, but delivered so little.
Jamie Osborne is likely to play a big role on tour, and the versatile Leinster player could easily slot in at inside centre or full-back. Hugh Gavin and Hugh Cooney are rising forces in the game, but surely Tom Farrell has done enough to make the cut.
The in-form Munster centre may be 31, but his form has been compelling since he made the switch from Connacht last summer. Farrell deserves an Ireland cap at this stage, and he could play a huge role in the second half of this World Cup cycle.
Jacob Stockdale, Shayne Bolton, Tommy O'Brien, Zac Ward and Calvin Nash will all be jostling for position in a stacked backfield with Hugo Keenan, Mack Hansen and James Lowe in Oz. Plenty of pace and power among that contingent.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
2 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Joe Brolly & Pat Spillane share contrasting predictions for All-Ireland final between Kerry & Donegal
JOE Brolly reckons Donegal are a near certainty to lift Sam Maguire - while Pat Spillane is backing his fellow Kerrymen. The Derry native has already been on the record about how 2 Kerry icon Spillane is giving the slight edge to the Kingdom 2 Brolly was far more definitive in his view He'd made that initial prediction about "not seeing any flaws" in Jim McGuinness' side on his But he expanded on why he's so gung-ho in that belief while appearing alongside Spillane and hurling greats Eddie Brennan and John Mullane on the The 56-year-old set out: "I think Donegal will win because they're multi-purpose. They're not relying on one individual. "They've worked with a basketball coach. McGuinness actually said it the week that the new rules were unveiled. Read More On GAA "He said 'We're going back to the old game, this is all about scoring rate.' They're scoring 1-27, 1-28, 3-25. "Paddy McBrearty was asked after the All-Ireland semi-final about how he'd be pushing for a place in starting fifteen and he said he'd be pushing for a place in the matchday 26! "There's massive competition there because Jim has this messianic quality." A few minutes later Spillane then gave his view that he'd marginally give the edge to the Kingdom. When he mentioned that Donegal had a few weaknesses, Brolly called on him to be more specific. Most read in GAA Football To which the eight-time All-Ireland winner replied: "Their running game is a hard game to sustain for 70 minutes. "Zonal defence is a weakness. There's space to be exploited there by a kicking team. Sharlene Mawdsley takes part in hilarious road race as part of Tipperary's All-Ireland celebration "The first half against Monaghan showed that as Monaghan switched the play from one side to the other. They'd an overload and took them on one-on-one and were very impressive. "So zonal marking, running in transition and Michael Murphy - no different from David Clifford - if he's contained (Kerry can win). "The new rules suit Kerry, Croke Park suits them as a heads up kicking team." He also added that his "hesitant vote for Kerry" was partly down to the weather forecast being good for Sunday with dry conditions further helping their prospects. The two counties did of course contest the 2014 decider with McGuinness saying this week that One instant improvement this time around will be that The Kerry county board have confirmed that Jack O'Connor's charges will line out in their alternative dark blue kit. Following on from the
Extra.ie
2 minutes ago
- Extra.ie
Schmidt feels the heat as Aussie critics turn on former Ireland boss
It's been a rough few days for Joe Schmidt. The fallout from the opening Test loss at Brisbane has been fierce in Australia. The Wallabies were overpowered at Suncorp Stadium and the 27-19 scoreline flattered the hosts. Schmidt has copped it from ex-players, pundits and supporters for numerous errors in judgement, be it preparation, selection or tactics. It's been a rough few days for Joe Schmidt. Pic: INPHO/Tom Maher The Kiwi is famed for his attention to detail. Schmidt's forensic analysis was the stuff of legend during his time with Leinster and Ireland. No stone was ever left unturned. But Schmidt has been in the firing line for what many observers believe was shoddy preparation before this eagerly-anticipated Test series. One prominent Australian journalist dubbed Schmidt 'Sleepy Joe' for his decision to call up Wallaby Test veteran James O'Connor at the 11th hour after regular fly-half Noah Lolesio suffered a serious neck injury against Fiji. James O'Connor was called up at the 11th hour. Pic:O'Connor, who played all three Tests against the Lions in 2013, has enjoyed something of a late career revival with the Crusaders in New Zealand. To many Australians, having the 33-year-old in the camp was a no-brainer. Schmidt didn't feel that way, instead backing the home-based No10s in his squad. When O'Connor was belatedly brought into the Wallabies squad, it was too late to get him up to speed to face the Lions. It's the reason why 22-year-old rookie Tom Lynagh was pitched in for his first Test start. Tom Lynagh during the first Test. Pic:Lynagh did well in difficult circumstances but O'Connor or Western out-half Ben Donaldson have been widely tipped to start the second Test in Melbourne on Saturday. Staying on the subject of bizarre calls, Australia's build-up to this series has been perplexing. The hosts were clearly rattled by the intensity of Andy Farrell's side, especially their suffocating blitz defence and ferocious commitment at every ruck. The hosts looked rusty. No wonder, given their sole warm-up game was against Fiji in Newcastle two weeks before the opening Test. The fact that Schmidt gave the players four days off after that narrow win was another head scratcher. Schmidt has copped it from ex-players, pundits and supporters for numerous errors in judgement, be it preparation, selection or tactics. Pic:The Wallabies will play a whopping 15 international matches in 2025 and that mini-break was seen as a way to keep the frontliners fresh ahead of what will be a gruelling campaign. Still, it did them no favours on Saturday. Why Australian rugby chiefs were only able to secure just one warm-up game in the schedule was another clanger. It was dreadfully poor preparation. The top brass had 12 years to prepare for the arrival of the Lions. Schmidt can't take the brunt for every bad call. However, the New Zealander needs to take responsibility for getting some key selections wrong. While Farrell won widespread praise for backing Tadhg Beirne and Tom Curry, his rival head coach didn't get the balance of his starting line-up right. Andy Farrell won widespread praise for backing Tadhg Beirne and Tom Curry. Pic: INPHO/Dan Sheridan There have been widespread calls for changes this week. Rob Valetini and Will Skelton were sorely missed and both key forwards are set to be back on board at the MCG. Valetini has been Australia's best player for the best two years and the powerful ACT Brumbies backrower will bring a bit of ball carrying ballast to the home ranks, something which was sorely lacking last time out. Skelton would be another huge addition but as Ronan O'Gara cautioned last week, the giant La Rochelle lock needs a few games to get up to speed. O'Gara has worked closely with the Wallabies giant for a long time. Still, Skelton – on his day – is a destructive presence. The Leinster players in this Lions squad know exactly what Skelton can do on a rugby pitch when he's in the mood. The home side desperately need a bit more oomph in contact. Rob Valentini has been Australia's best player. Pic:Schmidt is poised to beef up his Wallabies pack, with Ulster-bound Angus Bell also set to start while the performances of tighthead Taniela Tupou, second row Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and blindside flanker Seru Uru for the First Nations & Pasifika XV against the Lions on Tuesday will give him further food for thought. Former Wallabies captain Michael Hooper has called for Queensland Reds midfielder Hunter Paisami to be recalled after his star turn against the Lions a few weeks ago. Paisami's return would lead to a reshuffle in the Wallabies backline, but Hooper believes it would strengthen the home side's chances of levelling the series. Hunter Paisami in action for the Queensland Reds against the Lions. Pic:'You talk about Queensland Reds combination, Hunter at 12. Now Hunter in the Queensland Reds v Lions game was the best performer on the field,' he said.'He was awesome in that game, superb, so you put him straight into 12, Len (Ikitau) to 13, and then you put the big man, Joseph (Suaalii), out onto the wing.'Deploying Suaalii, the rugby league superstar who had a quiet game in Brisbane, would allow Australia to go after the Lions in the backfield. First, the Wallabies will need to fix the breakdown. Whatever about the way he prepared his team or the selection calls he made, Schmidt will be livid with the way his team were outmuscled in the collision zone. That has been this obsessive coach's USP throughout a trophy-laden career. In Brisbane, Schmidt's men were blown away at the contact area. Can he fix it in seven days?
RTÉ News
18 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
'If there is any chance for us, we have to curb his influence' - Donegal captain McBrearty wary of Kerry star David Clifford
When Donegal last took home Sam Maguire in 2012, Jim McGuinness' side had seven games to navigate their way to All-Ireland glory, including an Ulster preliminary quarter-final against Cavan. Should the Tír Chonaill men claim a third ever Sam Maguire win on Sunday, they will do so after a gruelling 11-game schedule (it could even reach a dozen if the sides remain deadlocked after extra-time). McGuinness has been vocal in his criticism of the demands being put on his players, yet his 2025 crop are potentially just 70 minutes away from the Holy Grail. Captain Paddy McBrearty and talisman Michael Murphy are the only players in the panel that were involved in the 2-11 to 0-13 victory over Mayo 13 years ago. McBrearty started every time during the victorious Ulster campaign but, in the subsequent half a dozen games, has only been selected from the off against Cavan. Replaced at half-time in the comfortable win over the Breffni men, the Kilcar man has impressed in cameo roles when sprung from the bench. He picked off two points in the comeback victory over Monaghan in the All-Ireland quarter-final, while last time out he terrorised the Meath defence with three points in an all-action display after replacing Murphy in the 45th minute. It seems likely that he will again be held in reserve for the Sunday's showdown with the Kingdom, but the 31-year-old cannot wait for the game to come around. "It's back to where every team wants to be, back in an All-Ireland final," he tells RTÉ Sport. "For some of us in the group, it has taken a long time to get back there. "It's pure relief to get back there. A lot of hard work and bad days as well along the way." One defeat in 10 isn't a bad return for a side that only two years ago were in disarray. That sole reversal came at home to Tyrone, yet the rare taste of defeat in Ballybofey has stood to the team, with McBrearty highlighting the nature of the wins over Mayo and Monaghan as proof of the resilience within the group. "The Tyrone loss was a disappointment, but we got back on the horse well," he says. "The team has shown great character, particularly in the Mayo game. Likewise, the Monaghan game when we were eight points down." With the likes of Finnbarr Roarty, Caolan McColgan and Ciarán Moore starring in their run to the final, some of the more established players have been forced to showcase their talents off the bench. In the semi-final demolition of the Royals, McGuinness was able to introduce McBrearty, Jason McGee, Caolan McGonagle, Daire Ó Baoill and Odhrán McFadden Ferry to proceedings in a show of arms. "There are a lot of very good footballers that can't get into the 26 at the minute," McBrearty says. "Every night at training, everyone is putting their best foot forward." Kerry are the final hurdle they must overcome in a demanding season. In 2012, McGuinness got the better of Jack O'Connor at the quarter-final stage – McBrearty kicked a score in a two-point win – and the two men will be plotting each other's downfall once again on Sunday. Central to McGuinness' plans will be how to curtail David Clifford, with the Kerry forward back in Player of the Year form. Pivotal in the quarter-final win over Armagh, he torched the Tyrone defence with 1-05 from play last time out. "He's obviously one of the all-time greats," McBrearty says. "Anyone within the GAA is a fan of his. He's different to anyone else. "If there is any chance for us to win the game, we have to curb his influence, which is a very, very hard task to do. "Every team says that before they go out onto the field. There are a lot of battles all over the field, and whoever is on him has a massive job to do." The fact they playing the most decorated county in the game adds another layer for a team targeting just a third title. "Kerry has a massive history within the game. They nearly expect to win it," he adds. "A lot of players in their group have won All-Irelands, but there are a few that haven't also. "There are a lot of boys in our group around the block a long time that haven't won an All-Ireland, so it's two teams mad to win."
