Future of Irish Rugby
With the Rugby World Cup looming for many of the Ireland rugby players this could be their last World Cup. The average age is 29 for the Ireland first 15 that played against Scotland on Sunday in the Six Nations. When you think of the Ireland Rugby team you would think of Brian O'Driscoll, Paul O'Connell, Tommy Bowe, John Hayes, David Wallace, Gordon D'Arcy and Ronan O'Gara. All of these players except for Tommy Bowe are over 30 therefore they have entered the end of their careers, O'Driscoll is a legend in Irish Rugby therefore I'm sure he will want to end on a high, although with his talents it wouldn't surprise me if he kept playing.
Who will replace these players who are nearing the end of their careers? Youngsters such as Fitzgerald, Earls, McFadden are players who are in the Irish squad and playing regularly, Luke Fitzgerald and Keith Earls have already been in the Lions squad for the 2009 summer tour to South Africa. We can't forget about the full back who took over in the Lions tour, Rob Kearney proved over in South Africa he is a threat to be known to every side he plays again. His bomb of a left foot got the better of Lee Byrne over in South Africa even though Lee Byrne got injured and Kearney even got himself a try in a test against South Africa. The experience they would have gained from that tour will serve them well as they become big players for Ireland once the "big boys retire.
The problem area that I see within the Ireland squad in the next few years is the second row, with O'Connell and O'Callaghan in their early 30's yea they have a few years left in them but with regards to youth players coming through Devin Toner is a candidate. Has he got the physicality to play in the international scene? Paul O'Connell crosses the gain line nearly every ball carry but I doubt Devin Toner has the muscle and strength to do that, although I could be wrong i'm not critcising Devin, i'm just questioning who will play with O'Connell. I know Devin is a talented player or he wouldn't be the situation he is with Leinster and the Irish Wolfhounds.
There has been talk about Stephen Ferris who is a flanker for Ireland and Ulster moving to the second row, I would hate to see this as Stephen Ferris is a fantastic flanker with the potential to be the best in the world. Why move your best players when they are playing well in their current position? Another second row who has had headlines after Munster beat Australia at Thomond Park was Ian Nagle, for everyone who doesn't know anything about Ian Nagle he is 22 and is 6ft 6inches which is ideal for a second row. He hasn't been capped or Ireland so why not give him a chance? Ireland's backrow has a good future ahead as Heaslip, Ferris, O'Brien, McLaughlin and the hot prospect Rhys Ruddock will become main players for Ireland with Heaslip already one.
Finally another problem area has came up with the Ireland squad this season with John Hayes losing his spot in the Ireland Squad as he is 37 so 2 candidates where Tony Buckley and Mike Ross. Mike Ross who plays for Leinster is 31 which is suitable for a prop he has 5 caps but I personally don't see him filling the gap left by Hayes. Tony Buckley is 30 years old which isn't too bad again for a prop and he is moving to Sale Sharks next season. He has been in the shadow of Marcus Horan and John Hayes at Ireland and Munster with John Hayes very likely leaving will he take his chance, well he did against Italy but then he got dropped and Mike Ross came in. The problem with props at the moment is that the top 3 teams in Ireland all use foreign players at prop, therefore Irish props aren't getting much game time to get experience so this will be to be addressed by the IRFU.
Cian Healy has nailed down his Jersey and with Rory Best, Jerry Flannery and Sean Cronin all excellent candidates at hooker. Cronin has recently signed for Leinster for next season so he will be catching up with Flannery and Best as Cronin is bound to be replacing Bernand Jackman. The experience of playing in the Heineken Cup for Leinster will be very beneficial for Sean Cronin. Munster have recently signed BJ Botha from Ulster so the problem of props will continue with Botha coming to Munster to replace Buckley.
Ireland's team after the 2011 Rugby World Cup:
15 “ Kearney
14 “ Bowe
13- O'Driscoll
12 “ Earls
11 “ Fitzgerald
10 “ Sexton
9 “ O'Leary
8 “ Heaslip
7 “ O'Brien
6 “ Ferris
5- O'Connell
4 “ Toner? Nagle? O'Callaghan?
3 “ Ross/Buckley
2- Best/Flannery/Cronin
1 - Healy
