Boss benefits by having limited exposure

AS always in these circumstances the discussion revolves as much around those unfortunate enough not to make the cut as those that do.

The omission of Tomás O’Leary was not flagged, with the first real question mark surrounding his inclusion only coming to the fore after his disappointing showing against France on Saturday. Given another sluggish performance against Scotland two weeks earlier, he could ill afford that display and Declan Kidney was forced to make a very difficult call.

Conor Murray’s emergence over the last few months demanded serious consideration and the brave decision by Kidney to throw him into the heat of battle in Bordeaux was significant.

Under pressure, Murray displayed a calm assurance and a steely temperament for the big time. His inclusion in those circumstances is not a surprise but the exclusion of O’Leary rather than Isaac Boss is.

In this respect Kidney has picked on form but Boss has benefited somewhat by having limited exposure — 20 minutes against Scotland and 47 minutes against Connacht — in the four warm-up games.

It’s a bit like the IRB rankings. Sometimes a team can rise up the pecking order without even playing a game.

Luke Fitzgerald was always under pressure from the moment he failed to nail down the full back berth in the Six Nations. In a squad where versatility is everything, Fitzgerald’s failure to convince as a back-up to Rob Kearney reduced his chances of inclusion. His form has also suffered from a succession of injuries and he has lost out to fellow Leinster man Fergus McFadden who has grasped every opportunity.

Felix Jones is the most unfortunate of all as he was set to be included only for yet another untimely injury to open the door for Geordan Murphy. Nobody could begrudge Murphy his opportunity and his vast experience, creative ability and leadership qualities will add greatly to the squad.

The fact that players of the calibre of O’Leary and Fitzgerald have failed to make the cut indicates the class available to Kidney when it comes to selecting his first choice backline even if that quality has failed to shine through in the warm-up tests from an attacking perspective.

Elsewhere, the forwards picked themselves once Stephen Ferris came through unscathed on Saturday. The only debate surrounded the composition of the props with Tony Buckley decidedly lucky to be included.

It signals the end for the great John Hayes who will now seek to slip away unnoticed. He will be missed.