Young Ireland stars get their big chance
Earls is the only new cap in the team to meet Canada in the opening game of the autumn series, but opportunity also knocks for more young players in a team that is a blend of experience and emerging talent.
The side contains some new combinations for this IRB world cup ranking game. Tommy Bowe and Rob Kearney fill the wing positions, while Luke Fitzgerald forms a new midfield partnership with captain, Brian O’Driscoll.
In the pack, there is an all-Munster front row, but a surprise inclusion comes in the form of Tony Buckley, who lines up alongside Marcus Horan and Jerry Flannery.
Buckley, who has been out of the Munster team recently, revealed he had been suffering from a form of pneumonia for several weeks before a blood test provided an accurate diagnosis of the debilitating problem.
Now recovered, he expressed delight with his selection ahead of the experienced John Hayes and remarked: “The best I had hoped for was a place on the bench. This is very good news.”
Irish coach Declan Kidney said: “Tony has trained very well in the last couple of weeks, we have watched him play and know what he is capable of, so we felt he deserves a chance.”
Stephen Ferris and Shane Jennings are chosen in a back row that includes Jamie Heaslip, with Alan Quinlan and David Wallace among eight reserves. Wallace is suffering from a tooth abscess and was unable to train yesterday. The replacements will be confirmed by Kidney tomorrow.
In as much as Earls faces into a new challenge, Saturday’s game will provide a test for Kidney as well. Yesterday’s squad was his first and he hopes he got the selection right.
“I think it is important the players chosen for this game are coming into it with good form; I’m happy with their enthusiasm and they see this as a big opportunity to make their mark.
“I think the guys coming in deserve a chance and the guys who lost out are disappointed. That’s a good blend when you’re trying to build a squad.
“This will count as an IRB ranking game for the next World Cup and these guys see themselves being around for that tournament, so to have an input into making it possible to have a good draw is important,” he said.
If much of the attention goes to the likes of Earls, Fitzgerald and Kearney, Kidney believes Ulster flanker Stephen Ferris can make a significant contribution, even though his involvement in top class rugby this season has been restricted by injury.
“Ideally, guys are coming off the back of about six or seven games into this, but with Stephen, it was a question of managing the injury,” says Kidney. “He did that well and has made a successful comeback, so we felt it was opportune to give him a run. He made the most of his time during Ireland’s matches in June, and we felt due recognition had to be paid to that, as well as his performance in training.”
Kidney won’t ask for miracles; just total commitment but in the hope the young players enjoy the experience. But he did sound a note of caution: “They will need to be smart; like any team going out for the first time, it’s important the guys gel.
“Canada come here off the back of a couple of games (against Portugal) so they have the advantage of having gone through game plans on the field. It’s a first-up game for us and that creates its own little bit of doubt.”
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