In the race to find the heir apparent to Brian O’Driscoll’s throne, we’ve overlooked a particular detail. Brian O’Driscoll has been Ireland’s most important ever player. As we lament his retirement and scout potential replacements, we have to remember that in finding the new 13, we must also find the new 12.
Brian O’Driscoll and Gordon D’Arcy together were excellent servants for Irish rugby. They brought the best out of one another, excelling for province and country. Looking at Luke Marshall’s first outings in his first Six Nations alongside O’Driscoll – although the Ulsterman was arguably in better form than D’Arcy- it was the synergy created by D’Arcy and O’Driscoll that was paramount, and the reason that D’Arcy was brought back into the team.
Their relationship has been instrumental in allowing them both to flourish. They know each other’s game – what the other will do, where they’ll be, and having an understanding of how one another play the game. Trust and communication is inherent in building a successful midfield partnership, and D’Arcy and O’Driscoll epitomise that. O’Driscoll is now gone, and D’Arcy can’t be far behind.
Jamie Roberts and Brian O’Driscoll set South Africa alight in 2009. They gelled instantly, and their instinctive play off one another became a hugely impressive and prominent feature in the Lions’ style of play.
We saw the opposite in 2013, where O’Driscoll and Davies failed to impose themselves in the test series.  O’Driscoll’s subsequent dropping or ‘BODgate’ really outlined the importance of the partnership, where although O’Driscoll performed better than Davies, Gatland decided to go with his tried and trusted Welsh midfield.
So, we’re not only replacing O’Driscoll, we’re replacing the most capped midfield partnership in professional rugby. When we talk about finding a new 13, we’re also talking about finding a new 12 and a new combination. With all the talk about our 13s, who can slot in at inside centre?
Here are some of the options at Joe Schmidt’s disposal:
Noel Reid
The Leinster man has had an extremely strong season and has grown into his role as the season developed. His switch from fly-half to the inside centre has given Leinster a lot of options, playing with a more playmaking 12 across the midfield. He’s made huge progress and his vision, decision making and passing game adds a lot of value to Noel Reid’s claim for the 12 jersey.
Ian Madigan
Having missed out to Jimmy Gopperth on a lot of big occasions for Leinster’s no. 10 shirt, Madigan put in a lot of encouraging displays in the 12 jersey coming towards the business end of the season. Much like Reid’s switch, Madigan’s move inside brings similar strengths. Madigan’s incisive step, ability to break the game line, and move the ball at pace can be other elements in the Blackrock College man’s favour.
Luke Marshall
After the amount of game time he has taken already in the jersey, Marshall has had a number of chances to make the jersey his own. He’s bulked up, and he’s added power to that 12 jersey, dominating collisions going forward.  In this sense he’s a different option to a lot of the other contenders for the 12 jersey, which could stand in his favour. He’s shown a huge amount of potential, and it’s only by more game time can he realise that. The worry? Those concussions.
Stuart Olding
An injury prevented Olding from seeing any part of the 2013/2014 season which was hugely disappointing for not only Ulster fans, but Irish rugby fans. Olding burst onto the scene, offering explosive potential in attack. A livewire, Olding has shown an element of versatility to his game. At 10, 12 or 15, and remains a potential 13. The next season will be interesting not only to see what Olding can bring, but what position he brings it from.
JJ Hanrahan/Ian Keatley
With the way Munster’s squad is shaping up, one of these men is going to play a lot of rugby at inside centre over the coming year. Tyler Bleyendaal’s signing seems to indicate this, as although it is claimed he can cover 12, he’s primarily an outhalf. One of these three men will see themselves playing a step outside their usual position.
Hanrahan and Keatley both have experience at 12. Keatley has put in some impressive shifts there recently, and has at times looked more comfortable there than out-half. Hanrahan is still young, and he has buckets of potential. A star through schools and u20s level, Hanrahan is one of the most promising players in Ireland today. We’ve seen glimpses of it already, and the next season will likely make him a star. If Keatley is preferred at 10, Hanrahan may very well make a burst at 12.
Dave McSharry, Luke Fitzgerald, there are other candidates for the 12 jersey. As D’Arcy continues to wind down, it’s something that will be on the forefront of Schmidt’s mind. It’s not just about finding a replacement for O’Driscoll, it’s about finding a centre partnership that can dominate for years as D’Arcy and O’Driscoll have done.
Jonathan Fitzpatrick, Pundit Arena.
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Jonathan Fitzpatrick
Wrapping up my final year in University College Dublin after studying Commerce, I’m also a keen writer. My main sport of interest is rugby, and I’m an avid fan of Leinster and Ireland. Also a Man United supporter, old school wrestling fan, and lactose intolerant.
Article source: http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/commonwealth-games/cwg-news/rugby-player-stuart-hogg-called-up-to-team-scotland.1404296335
Focus Friday – The Future Irish Rugby Midfield
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