Three big selection calls for Ireland ahead of New Zealand clash

INJURY CONCERN: James Lowe of Ireland reacts after an injury to his eye against Scotland. Pic: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

1 Wings 

Ireland finished their 36-14 victory over Scotland with a scrum-half and a centre patrolling the flanks in a back three with Hugo Keenan and both Jamison Gibson-Park and Garry Ringrose acquitted themselves with distinction. Yet the loss of Mack Hansen to a calf issue and James Lowe with an eye injury is a serious concern ahead of this Saturday’s quarter-final, exacerbated by the hamstring problem that forced Keith Earls out of the pre-match warm-up at Stade de France.

With all three wings nursing injuries, that leaves utility back Jimmy O’Brien as the only fit option to start at either 11 or 14. The hope will be that Lowe continues to recover quickly from the accidental finger in the eye he received from an unwitting team-mate with he and Earls being monitored carefully this week ahead of the first major training session of the week on Tuesday.

2 James Ryan 

The lock had been nursing a bang on the wrist he picked up during the win against South Africa a fortnight earlier and having been replaced in the starting line-up to face Scotland by Iain Henderson, the unfortunate Ryan appears to have now injured his other wrist after a ruck fell on top him.

Henderson’s standout performance as lineout leader in a flawless return from 12 throws and his general play in open field would have doubtless secured him a second successive start this weekend but Ryan’s absence from the bench offers another opportunity for Test rookie Joe McCarthy. The 6ft 6ins 22-year-old made the most of his World Cup debut with a start alongside Ryan in the opening pool rout of Romania and after just four Ireland appearances looks to the manor born.

3 No 23 

With Robbie Henshaw rehabbing a hamstring injury that forced him out the matchday 23 at the weekend, the outside back replacement role went to fellow centre Stuart McCloskey, who once again looked assured at inside centre in a reshuffled backline following Hansen’s initial HIA and subsequent calf injury.

That was McCloskey’s first appearance of the tournament and he is deserving of another run with three-quarter options dwindling. The alternatives for the bench could bring a double playmaker combination of Ross Byrne and Jack Crowley into the conversation with the latter capable of covering 12 and full-back in addition to the fly-half cover he has been providing for captain Johnny Sexton.