Muldoon and Ronan bid to be Ireland’s super six

NOT long ago, the chances of John Muldoon, Niall Ronan or Chris Henry wearing the number six jersey on the Irish team against either New Zealand or Australia would have been fairly remote.

Stephen Ferris had the position nailed down, after an impressive Lions tour followed by a succession of fine performances in the Six Nations Championship. And then, with the season virtually at an end, he suffered a fractured cheekbone that necessitated an operation. End of season. Last week, his likely replacement, Kevin McLaughlin, went down in the Magners League final.

That left a squad historically well off for back-row talent suddenly short in a key position. So coach Declan Kidney saw tonight’s game against the Barbarians at Thomond Park as an opportunity to bring himself up to speed on blind side flank options.