Hugo Keenan, Ireland’s standout fullback, is expected to be sidelined for their Six Nations Ireland vs Wales match at the Aviva Stadium, which presents Andy Farrell with a selection dilemma. Rugby fans worldwide are called to book Six Nations 2024 tickets from our online platform ticketing. co. Rugby fans can book Wales Six Nations Tickets on our website at exclusively discounted prices.
Even though Farrell has a deep roster, the absence of Mack Hansen and Jimmy O’Brien due to injury has severely reduced his options for outside backs ahead of the Six Nations.
Farrell Records
Week in and week out, he will suddenly be without Keenan, one of the first names on his team sheet. Interestingly, no player has played more minutes for Ireland since Farrell took over as head coach (2916). This is because the fullback is always dependable. Since February 2021, he has been the starter in 25 of the 28 Tests. In the interim, we examine Farrell’s choices. It is said that he will be back in time for the round four match against England in March.
Front runner
Fly-half Jack Crowley took over the position after Keenan was substituted off the field against Italy last week, with Harry Byrne occupying the first receiving channel. Even while this strategy was somewhat successful for the rest of the game, it seems unlikely that Farrell will remove his productive and still-developing playmaker from the starting fly-half position.
This suggests that against Wales, Ciaran Frawley, a gifted player with versatility, will step in for Keenan. Though he has excelled in a variety of situations for his province in recent seasons, including fullback, the Leinster star is being tipped for a career at fly-half. His insertion at fullback would be a clean swap from the first-choice starting lineup, preventing a backline shuffle. He possesses the skill set and ability to fill the position with ease.
Highest Scoring Matches:
The most notable victory Ireland has ever had over Wales was during their hegemony in 2002. With a winning margin of 44 points that hasn’t been topped since it’s possibly the biggest victory for either team. Wales has won by a score of 29 points ever since before World War I. The 29-0 shutout in 1907 is the greatest win Wales has ever achieved over Ireland.
The two teams faced off in an exhibition match before the Home Nations Rugby Union Tournament was created. On January 28, 1882, at Lansdowne Road in Dublin, Wales triumphed. Wales 1-2 The final score was Ireland, a far cry from the current scoring system. Under the original scoring system, a try that was correctly converted could only result in a goal. Rugby fans can book Ireland Vs Wales Tickets on our website at exclusively discounted prices.
Since 2000, there has only been a single Six Nations draw, which took place in 2016 at the Aviva Stadium. In the current Six Nations structure, Wales has won nine games and even the inaugural one in 2000. Ireland has won twelve of Wales’ Six Nations matches, but Wales has not overcome them.
In their most recent meeting, which Ireland won 29–7 in Dublin, this pattern was followed. Bundee Aki, Andrew Conway, and Garry Ringrose all scored tries to secure a resounding victory in the first Six Nations game of the previous season. Will the history repeat itself in Cardiff, or will Warren Gatland’s return inspire his squad to even greater success?
On the fringe
Jordan Larmour will be hoping for a chance to play against Wales because he is one of just five players (Keenan, Jacob Stockdale, Mike Lowry, and Jimmy O’Brien) to have worn the number 15 jumper during Farrell’s tenure.
Under the present system, he is viewed more as a winger, although he does have the positional awareness to play the role. His kicking game is not yet up to the level of Frawley and others, which will work against him.
When Keenan pulled out of the match against Italy, Larmour was on the bench. But Byrne was called upon to step up in place of the explosive outside back. This might mean that his skill set is not what Farrell needs from a fullback. Or maybe the Ireland manager only wanted to try Crowley in the position because Italy wasn’t really a threat at that point.
In the mix
Although, as previously mentioned, it wouldn’t make much sense for Crowley to take on the position given that he is still developing at number ten. He will undoubtedly be included. If they hadn’t been injured, Hansen and O’Brien would have been excellent prospects. But the most recent setback in their injuries may present a chance for a call-up.
A case may also be made for Stockdale, who was one of the few players under Farrell to start at the position. Due to a terrible string of injuries, he lost the trust of the selectors. Putting him in the team at his backup position might be the kind of encouragement he needs to regain his best form.
Outside bets
For Wales, Byrne might possibly be picked at fullback, even though he entered the game against Italy as a fly-half. A fly-half might potentially share some of the tasks with Crowley, as he possesses many of the same talents as a modern-day fullback. On the wing for Farrell’s team, Calvin Nash has shown promise, and he has occasionally been included in Munster’s 15 jumper.
Again, it is improbable that he will leave the role in which he flourished when he was still relatively unknown on the global scene, even though he might be in the mix. After he was left off of the squad, Simon Zebo disclosed that Farrell had advised him to “stay ready.” Although he is still recovering from a knee injury, given his background. It wouldn’t be completely out of the question for him to be elevated to the starting group.
James Lowe could be helpful
James Lowe could be useful to Ireland because he used to play fullback for the Chiefs and Maori All Blacks. Despite his primary position being on the wing since his arrival in Ireland. Fans rapidly grew fond of Lowe because of his explosive speed, great ball-carrying abilities, and talent for scoring spectacular tries.
His exceptional play earned him a call-up to the Irish national team, for which he qualified by residency. Against Wales in the 2020 Autumn Nations Cup, Lowe made his debut for Ireland on the international scene. He has since established himself as an essential member of the Irish team. Displaying his talent and athleticism on the global scene.
Taking Lowe’s move to fullback would be very easy for Farrell because he has other wing alternatives available to him. It would still be a reasonably simple solution to make the necessary adjustments to make sure his cannon boot is not wasted.
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