Ireland tour party to Argentina notable for eye-catching inclusions

The composition of a 30-man squad for a two-Test tour to Argentina might, in normal circumstances, have been notable for the absentees, but this party is also notable for some eye-catching inclusions.

Aside from the quartet of uncapped players – Munster loosehead James Cronin (23), Connacht scrumhalf Kieran Marmion (22) and the South African-born Ulster pair of hooker Rob Herring (24) and Robbie Diack (28) – Simon Zebo is brought back into the fold, while the main losers would appear to be Leinster outhalf-cum-utility back Ian Madigan and Munster openside Tommy O’Donnell.

As expected, managing injuries and weary bodies have excused some frontliners from duty, such as Cian Healy, Seán Cronin, Dan Tuohy, Sean O’Brien, Tommy Bowe, Gordon D’Arcy and now Dave Kearney.

Johnny Sexton, mustard-keen to travel, does so despite the rigours of last summer when the Lions outhalf was then pitched quickly back into action with Racing.

With no D’Arcy or Brian O’Driscoll, the need for Sexton’s leadership as Schmidt’s primary conduit on the pitch, also given his departure from Leinster, is all the more acute.

This, coupled with the decision to make an understandable investment in Marmion, has contributed to Madigan missing out, for Schmidt was not of a mind to bring six half-backs.

Versatility
Even so, given his composure as Sexton’s replacement in the endgame to Ireland’s Six Nations’ finale in Paris, his versatility as a 10, 12 and 15, not to mention Saturday’s reminder of his potential impact off the bench, it is a surprise Madigan has been earmarked for the Emerging Tour to Romania.

Schmidt also made the point that Madigan lacks game time, which is true compared to last season and to Paddy Jackson.

Cronin is highly regarded, and it will be interesting to see how he and Kilcoyne acquit themselves in Argentina, albeit Jack McGrath is ahead of them in the pecking order.

The inclusion of Diack, a skilful utility forward and a very good lineout option, by dint of the residency ruling – whatever about Herring through Irish lineage – raises that hoary old chestnut but not unreasonably, Schmidt was of the view that them’s the rules, so to speak.

“That’s a question for people over and above me. Players are either available or they are not. I think if Bundee Aki plays well and qualifies in three years, time he will be available to whoever is coaching the Irish team at that time to be selected.

“If they change the rules he may not be. As it stands at the moment I think there are some very good indigenous players and the vast majority of the squad is made up of those players.”

Article source: http://www.express.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/466396/Modest-ambitions-suit-Diamond

Ireland tour party to Argentina notable for eye-catching inclusions