Ireland Squad Announced for First Autumn Nations Clash with Japan

15. Hugo Keenan - Leinster 14. Andrew Conway - Munster 13. Garry Ringrose - Leinster 12. Bundee Aki - Connacht 11. James Lowe - Leinster 10. Johnny Sexton - Leinster (C) 9. Jamison Gibson Park - Leinster 1. Andrew Porter - Leinster 2. Ronan Kelleher - Leinster 3. Tadhg Furlong - Leinster 4. Tadhg Beirne - Munster 5. James Ryan - Leinster 6. Caelan Doris - Leinster 7. Josh van der Flier - Leinster 8. Jack Conan - Leinster

Replacements

16. Dan Sheehan - Leinster (Uncapped) 17. Cian Healy - Leinster 18. Finlay Bealham - Connacht 19. Iain Henderson - Ulster 20. Peter O’Mahony - Munster 21. Conor Murray - Munster 22. Joey Carbery - Munster 23. Keith Earls - Munster

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Well the match day 23 has been announced and I would be lying if I said the team sheet had me buzzing for the match. I know there’s certainly going to be undertones of “Bitter Ulster Fan” here but my lack of excitement goes beyond just poor Ulster representation in the squad. I’m also more disappointed on behalf of Connacht, let’s chat about why.

Firstly, the context for this squad selection is important. Make no mistake, Ireland are playing a strong Japanese squad, but to me this was the perfect opportunity for young players, more so than Argentina. Japan play quick, fluid, exciting rugby and what a challenge it would be to defend and fight back against. The dynamism of some of the young players would be tested against one of the most dynamic teams about. But Farrell, albeit a strong team, has also picked a pretty conservative team.

The starting 15 is made up of 12 Leinster players, 2 Munster players and 1 Connacht player (the ever present Bundee Aki), with no Ulster players gaining a spot on the starting 15. Connacht have 2 in the match day 23 with Ulster only getting Henderson on the bench. Looking at form in the URC so far, it certainly feels like the squad choice is a bit lopsided.

Now onto being disappointed on Connacht’s behalf: let’s be honest, in their game against Ulster Mack Hansen and Jack Carty, amongst others, made the Ulster men look silly at times. Bear in mind at this point Ulster were top of the URC table, off the back of several wins in a row and bolstered by the return of a few big names. Yet Hansen and Carty absolutely went to town. Carty wasn’t even picked for the squad, with Carbery continuing to be the next in line to the number 10 throne and Hansen isn’t in the match day 23. Hansen is clearly a quick, exciting player that again would have been perfectly suited to battle Japan’s frenetic play style. Personally I would have Mack Hansen in before James Lowe, who has struggled in the green shirt in the past. Now, I quite like Lowe, and I would love him to prove me wrong but it’s not unfair to say he’s had trouble at international level at times.

From the Ulster squad it’s disappointing to see the only representation in the form of Henderson on the bench. Particularly, seeing Timoney’s unstoppable form unrewarded. He’s the top trying scorer currently in the URC, making a huge impact each game and continuing to get better but not even on the bench.

But Andy Farrell has gone conservative. It feels like Farrell has picked a team that will pick up the win, but nothing more. Yes, bringing in younger players will reduce the confidence that they can earn a win but these games ultimately don’t count for a whole lot, and with the Six Nations right around the corner it could be the perfect time to get untested players on a big stage against tough opposition and see who sinks and who swims. I think this match will be the only one that frustrates me with the team sheet. We know the strongest 15 possible will be put out against New Zealand, we know young players will get a chance against Argentina, but Japan is almost the median where young players in strong form could have been handed a chance. A full young team will not beat Japan, granted, but those like Hansen and Timoney in the match day 23 could have been a great nod to how they’re playing. At least Sheehan is getting a chance at some game time for Ireland, a young player with bundles of potential and skill. I would love to see Farrell more willing to lose and learn in matches like these rather than win but not gain a great deal, but then again, there’s a reason I’m not Ireland’s head coach (yet!).