Brave selection calls can deliver exciting Irish side

The summer tour of South Africa have been touted as an opportunity to blood new talent.

We know that Ireland will never go with wholesale changes, and rightly so.

The Irish system has always been based on consistency and dropping in a couple of changes to an existing strong team, allowing the new players to thrive without taking from the cohesion built within the group.

Rassie Erasmus has himself gone on the offensive by predicting Ireland’s match-day 23, in a probable psychological dig at Ireland.

There are some opportunities that I think Andy Farrell can give to certain players, to freshen the team and also build depth within his squad, without ushering in wholesale changes.

Andrew Porter will almost certainly start because there isn’t another option at loosehead. Cian Healy won’t start at this stage, not in the first test at any rate.

The Tom O’ Toole experiment might work out, only those in camp will know just how realistic it is at this stage, but an away first test against South Africa isn’t the time to throw him into the cauldron.

Andrew Porter’s minutes for a front-row forward have been astronomical, and I don’t see that changing, based on the squad that was brought to South Africa.

There’s an opportunity to tweak things at hooker by playing Ronan Kelleher. There was never much between Sheahan and Kelleher, until the former established himself as first choice amidst the latter’s injury troubles and has never looked back.

However, building strength in depth in the position is important. Giving Kelleher a start as the front-runner would be restore some healthy competition there.

Sheahan would start a must-win game currently, but this could be a chance to get Kelleher back to his best. Last time out against South Africa, the lineout struggled and Kelleher was part of that.

Wouldn’t it be great to put him back in to meet that challenge head on? Sheahan can back him up and bring a serious impact from the bench.

I’d love to see Tom Stewart on tour as well, but Farrell has brought the reliable third choice, Rob Herring.

At tighthead, Furlong has been back to his absolute best for Leinster this year. I’d expect Farrell to stick with him for the first test, but I’d love to see Oli Jager thrown into the fire.

He has a huge amount of club experience. He has only one Irish cap so far, and has been used as an impact sub for Munster so it might be a bit wishful, but if he is to become a regular back-up or a possible successor at tighthead, then a bigger involvement in this tour is a must.

Joe McCarthy also needs more games to continue his rise. There’ll be no debate about him starting alongside Tadgh Beirne in the second-row. McCarthy has a fearless and youthful exuberance to complement Beirne’s leadership.

Solid foundations are needed, O’Mahony will captain the team and start in a leadership role alongside Beirne and Doris.

I’d love to see Cian Prendergast thrust into action in the first test. Realistically, there isn’t a starting berth available to him as a consequence of other decisions, and Ryan Baird has been in good form for Leinster, so I fear Prendergast will have to be patient for even longer.

Prendergast is a leader in Connacht, a lineout option and an athlete. Ireland could do worse than to give him plenty of game-time and facilitate his growth on this tour.

At openside, Van Der Flier is the probable selection, but I’d go with Nick Timoney. He’s been outstanding in an Ulster side that are finding their identity again under Richie Murphy. He can do it all, on both sides of the ball and at the breakdown. His form should be rewarded, particularly in the absence of Jack Conan.

Timoney is physically capable of playing a big part in South Africa. Whether Van Der Flier’s apparent conditioning is part of his selection given his impressive work-rate, only those on the inside can truly know.

With Gibson-Park left at home through injury, Craig Casey should be given his shot from the start at nine. If not now, when? Casey plays a fast game that Ireland thrive on and should partner his provincial teammate Jack Crowley at half-back.

Frawley will most likely be nailed-on for a bench spot given his versatility. However, I think he should get a solid 20 minutes to show what he can do, and maybe more involvement in the second test. We have to back his selection at this stage.

Bundee Aki will be required to challenge South African physically. He takes a lot of attention from an opposition perspective. At 12, he can reach the gain line, while also doubling as a great attacking option. These tests are going to be fiery and Aki will need to be a pillar of strength.

Garry Ringrose has been the missing piece for Leinster and I believe you have to put him back in. He has only played once this season for Leinster in South Africa.

He’s still an unsung hero in this Irish team, despite his well-acknowledged centrality. His workrate off the ball and defensive leadership can lay the foundations for a successful Irish tour.

Jamie Osborne will get his cap during this tour, and he’s fully deserving of it. He had a huge impact for Leinster this year and has an incredibly high ceiling, but I don’t think the first test is the time to spring him into international rugby.

Robbie Henshaw could feel aggrieved too, but the aforementioned centre partnership – Aki/Ringrose – is a must in my opinion, at least for the first test.

The back three selection will be a talking point.

Leinster suffered without Keenan and, more than likely, Ireland will too. The aerial game is vital against South Africa, as is business of covering the backfield. The Springboks test those areas more than any other rugby nation.

Jimmy O’ Brien hasn’t covered those areas as well as Keenan, but who has? His form has been brilliant for Leinster and he’s the only option as far as I can see.

He’ll most likely be partnered on the wings by Lowe and Nash, which gives Ireland a great balance. Lowe has a unique selling point with his size, strength, personality and a left-footed option for Ireland’s kicking game. Will he miss the connection with Gibson-Park?

Calvin Nash offers aerial certainty and an attacking impact that should be exploited more than it has been so far. He deserves to start.

How many changes there’ll be is anyone’s guess. You don’t need massive changes to continue the evolution and development of the overall squad. There are a few younger guys that need to develop further, the likes of McCarthy, Casey, Crowley, O’ Brien and Nash.

With two or three brave selections, we could see a new-look and exciting Irish side this weekend.

An immense, psychological test awaits.