Kidney got the line-up wrong

DECLAN KIDNEY was correct in arranging a number of matches prior to the World Cup.

However, unless the games looming against France and England produce more quality than witnessed at Murrayfield on Saturday, these ties could quickly turn into exercises in futility.

Firstly Kidney chose many players against Scotland who have the slimmest chance of making any appearance in New Zealand.

Some may not even make the trip. That being the case, why not concentrate entirely on those who will have a role to play and who would benefit from a decent amount of game time before the serious questions are asked?

Saturday was a dreadful affair made worse by the spectacle earlier in the day between Australia and New Zealand.

That Tri-Nations clash signposted the standard Ireland must reach to have any chance of making any meaningful progress next month.

Kidney will almost certainly give game time to some fringe players against the USA and Russia unlike predecessor Eddie O’Sullivan who went with his best 22 against Namibia and Georgia four years ago. The poor performances against the minnows meant they were a disillusioned squad for the clashes against France and Argentina.

With such a strategy in mind, Kidney provided a stage for a number of these players at Murrayfield. But I would argue that an opportunity to see those who will carry most of the responsibility in the World Cup was lost on Saturday.

The distinct possibility is that none of the eight forwards who started against the Scots will have much, if any, involvement in the crucial World Cup games against Australia and Italy.

The odds are that front five of Tom Court, Sean Cronin, Tony Buckley, Leo Cullen and Donnacha Ryan will be on the plane while number eight Denis Leamy will certainly be there. But will any of them face the Wallabies and the Azzurri from the kick-off? Probably not.

Far more reassuring was the manner in which Jerry Flannery completed his 20-minute cameo without any aggravation of the calf muscle trouble that has dogged him for almost two seasons. A fully fit Flannery throwing to Paul O’Connell and Donncha O’Callaghan at lineout time and carrying ball with all his old vigour and fearlessness is vital. Hopefully, he will again figure against the French in Bordeaux on Saturday evening.

The same hope applies to Rob Kearney, who looked one of the sharpest Irishmen on view at Murrayfield. Indeed, he is one of the few members of the starting side likely to line up against the Americans on September 11 even though the challenge for the number 15 and 11 jerseys is going to be fierce. Keith Earls is sure of his place either at 15 or 11 but if, as now seems likely, Kidney goes with a 17-13 forward-back split, at least one of Luke Fitzgerald, Felix Jones and Geordan Murphy could miss out altogether.

That is more likely still should Kidney stay loyal to Paddy Wallace. I find it difficult to understand why the coach has remained so loyal to him for so long. True, the serious doubt concerning Gordon D’Arcy’s availability may open the door for the Ulster man but the strong preference has to be for the greater physicality, strength and defensive qualities of Fergus McFadden at number 12, and not forgetting Tommy Bowe, Earls and Fitzgerald are no strangers to the centre position.

Kidney has five scrum-halves in camp at Carton House and three will be going to New Zealand. Tomás O’Leary and Isaac Boss were given the first chance to stake their claims. Like Flannery and Kearney, O’Leary is badly in need of match practice and not for the first time, his excellent general play around the field outweighed his distribution.

Expect that Eoin Reddan and Peter Stringer will take over in Bordeaux and outsider Conor Murray given an airing in the game against Connacht.

After the mediocrity of Murrayfield, it can only get better. A far greater degree of intensity in the matches against France over the next couple of Saturdays is guaranteed. Just as importantly, we can only hope for a much higher quality of football than that dished up in Edinburgh. If not, even those who believe Irish rugby is in a good place will harbour some doubts.