Tucker urges Ireland 'A' players to embrace the 'dark places'

Head coach Cullie Tucker. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Ireland ‘A’ coach Cullie Tucker is challenging his hopefuls to embrace adversity against Spain this weekend following the side’s last outing, against England last spring, when a raft of injuries played havoc with any chance to impress.

Andy Farrell has championed the idea of ‘A’ and Emerging Ireland outings as a means of blooding the next generation of talent but Bristol last February proved a dispiriting affair for both players and coaches alike.

Played on a pig of a night in Ashton Gate, Ireland lost both tens, Ciarán Frawley and Harry Byrne to head injuries. Diarmuid Barron also had to leave for a HIA while Oli Jager and Shane Daly were others unable to continue with injuries.

Losing 28-12 was the immediate result. More disappointing was the sense of an opportunity lost but Tucker, a member of Mike Prendergast’s staff that evening, is echoing the Farrell approach this time by adopting a no excuses policy.

“I think we missed an opportunity there,” said the Connacht coach who is head honcho with the ‘A’s this time. “There was a couple of big injuries, obviously losing two 10s early, et cetera, and guys having to go on the wing and things like that.

“But we need to embrace those positions a little more and not use them as excuses. That's what we're trying to certainly do this week. If we're put in those pressurised situations, if we're stretched outside of our own position or stretched to do something a little bit different, we have to embrace and walk towards that challenge and not shy away from it.

“That's how I feel about it and that's how the players feel about it as well. We've got to embrace those dark places.” 

The ‘A’s are training in the same IRFU high-performance centre as Farrell’s senior outfit, and following largely the same training schedule prior to their flight to Madrid on Thursday, but there is no overlap.

Leinster’s James Culhane was ruled out last week and Paul Boyle has replaced fellow Connacht forward Sea Jansen this week. That aside the squad is fit and ready to go in Leganés on Saturday afternoon.

Nine of the squad have played Test rugby for Ireland already, among them Ulster pair Tom O’Toole and Tom Stewart, while Munster’s Dan Kelly will be one to keep an eye on if selected after his impressive start to life in Limerick.

The challenge, as ever, will be for players to stand out and push their case for senior selection while fitting in to the collective shape and strategy, something that a green Ireland team actually did very well against Georgia and Portugal during the summer.

“It's probably one of the biggest challenges, but they're experienced and knowledgeable enough as players to know that performance collectively will mean as an individual they'll kick on,” said Tucker.

“Putting our stock into the team and how we play collectively on both sides of the ball will breed opportunity for them. It's been team-first all week, us performing collectively. That'll put the best foot forward for the people on the pitch to put their hands up in the future.” 

This isn’t just an audition for the players.

Tucker will have Mossy Lawler operating as his backs/attack, Jimmy Duffy is in charge of the forwards and Sean O’Brien is the defensive guru.

“Experience counts for a lot, having been through the process a couple of times now and seeing what went well and what didn't go well and learning a lot. Paul [O’Connell] did it over the summer and Mike [Prendergast] did it last year with the ‘A’ team as well.

“It's a brilliant challenge from a coaching point of view and a player point of view,” said Tucker. “You've five days to come together to play a Test match, so really focusing in on yourself and what's important.”