Ireland’s Autumn Internationals Squad Announced.

Farrell has announced his 38 man squad for the November internationals which sees 7 Ulster players, 3 Connacht, 12 Munster and, unsurprisingly, 18 Leinster (note that this includes 2 development players). I say ‘unsurprisingly’ with only a hint of bitterness as, to be fair, the Leinster side is ridiculous and Farrell will pick the best. Also, just in case you’re worrying: no, in this article I won’t be screaming about Cooney nor Doak, but we will have a chat about the latter.

Let’s start with the Ulster forwards who made it in, more specifically the expected. Iain Henderson, the returning British and Irish Lion who captained Ireland for the first time on Valentine’s day 2021, has made the cut. No surprise here, Henderson is an absolute cert in international selection and is usually a safe bet for starting in the big games. He has a wealth of experience, he’s a leader and he brings a calm, tactical head to a chaotic game. Rob Herring, Ulster’s double centurion has also made the team sheet. I won’t pretend like this spot isn’t very hotly contested by Kelleher, but I do think Herring has the experience on his competitor to clinch the starts as well.

The less certain forward selection for Ulster was Tom O’Toole who has made enough of an impact to be in the squad. Now the real challenge begins: It’s one thing to be picked for the squad, it’s another thing to get game time ripped away from the machine that is Tadhg Furlong. I do think, however, regardless of game time O’Toole gets, any time spent training or scrummaging against Furlong is of exponential value. Such an experienced player at club, international and Lions level will teach him a world of knowledge and skill.

Another forward that wasn’t a sure pick (although it might have felt that way in Ulster fan’s minds) is Nick Timoney. He has been an Ulster stronghold in the back row since 2017 amassing 82 caps along the way. However, he has never found better form than the last year or so and in my opinion, never found better form than this season. He is currently the league’s top try scorer with 5 tries, having moved to number 7 rather than his usual 8. This seems to afford him a bit more freedom to move around which has undoubtedly worked in his favour, and Andy Farrell has seen this. I do fear Timoney might get stuck in a back-row-utility player spot where he doesn’t find preference for one particular number, but if he can come in and stamp his name on the 7 shirt he’ll be tough to stop in coming years. Unfortunately, he does have a few names to compete with, the monster that is Peter O’Mahony and Josh van der Flier. Flanker is not an easy spot to usurp in Irish rugby, but garner some game time and Timoney will be a force to be reckoned with.

In the backs, the centre is the next spot Ulster boys are looking to contest for caps. Both Ulster starters James Hume and Stuart McCloskey have been called up. Now I would never revel in a player’s injury and I would want the best player for the job to be available, but the reality is that Henshaw’s injury does present an opportunity. With his injury, realistically it’s one less person the centres have to compete with to pull on the green jersey. Although, in their way are notable centres Aki and Ringrose and on top of that the uncapped Frawley comes into the mix. Still, I think we have a good chance of seeing the classic Ulster 12/13 partnership working away for the international squad. I think they would fit perfectly into Ireland’s physical and very disruptive style of rugby. As Squidge Rugby said in better words than I: Ireland don’t win by having amazing games, they win by making you have a terrible game and the Ulster pairing do that beautifully by shooting out of the defensive line quickly, disrupting attacks and holding up players to force the turn over. Not to mention Hume’s finishing ability and Stuart McCloskey’s ability to look like a second row, fend like a second row but run like a winger.

The last Ulster selection is the fantastic Robert Baloucoune. It would have been a real shame not to get him involved after his unreal form for Ulster and fantastic try against the USA in the summer. Baloucoune is competing with the likes of Lowe, who has appeared to fall out of favour after poor form shortly into a stint at international level but has made his way back in through performance at club level. Baloucoune will not have an easy time getting minutes on the pitch in such a competitive back line, but I don’t think they have a player like him who will provide the electricity and pace that he can.

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Moving on from those selected, I want to look at a few who missed out. Firstly, one I was sure of getting a place: Jacob Stockdale. I know he’s been injured recently, but on 4th October Ulster released a statement that Stockdale’s injury would be monitored for that week’s game, which would make you think a return is imminent. Both Henderson and Baloucoune have been selected straight off the back of injuries so that certainly isn’t an issue. Unless his injury is worse than has been revealed and he won’t be fit for the matches, I would be very concerned about him not being selected. Stockdale, although he has regularly been lambasted for his defence, is the best choice for number 11. Speaking of wingers, the 31 year old Simon Zebo makes his first appearance in the squad since 2017 when he left Munster to join the French Side Racing 42. There has been a whirlwind of nostalgia and glee from Munster fans, and whilst he is a solid pick, I feel that spot may have been better used on an up and coming player. If there was ever a rugby opinion that might get me chinned, it could be that one.

Nathan Doak is another player who was touted to be selected and has had his name shouted a few times since the selection announcement. Now, whilst I would have loved to see him on that team sheet, honestly I don’t think its bad thing. If Doak keeps his strong form and improves like I think he will then Irish selection is a matter of when, not if. In that case then why rush it? I think Doak would benefit greatly from getting all the time he can starting for Ulster while Cooney’s out then spending some time consistently vying with him for position to really solidify and hone his skills. Then maybe come the Six Nations at earliest Doak could be looked at for a development player place and slowly but surely march his way into the squad. I just feel getting into the international setup after only a handful of starts, no matter how good, might be a bit much.

The last Ulster player I want to chat about missing out is Billy Burns. Not because I’m necessarily surprised, but it’s one that hurts from an Ulster fan’s perspective. It sort of feels like Burns chance at international level (for now) has been marred by a few mistakes. Watching the dynamic play maker break open defences, make cutting runs and shake off big hits to perform every week makes it tough to see him miss out. I understand there’s a lot of competition at number 10, of course. The granddad of Irish rugby, Johnny Sexton, refuses to let go of that position and no one can snatch it from him. Carbery no doubt is second choice with Byrne in the mix as well. Speaking of number 10’s, it now seems that Jack Carty has somewhat become Connacht’s Cooney. So Connacht, I feel for you.

Although of course I have my gripes, and there are Ulster players I feel should have gotten the nod, so do supporters of every province. Ulster have a batch of young talent coming through that we’re now seeing break into the international realms and it couldn’t be more encouraging for the future of the club. Even beyond the current young players selected, I have no doubt we’ll see Doak, McIlroy, McCann and Lowry amongst others making their case for the green shirt in future.