Ireland manager Paul McNaughton has hinted that Declan Kidney will not make wholesale changes for Sunday's World Cup clash against minnows Russia.
Paul O'Connell and Gordon D'Arcy look likely to be rested after sustaining hamstring injuries in the stunning win over Australia.
Leo Cullen and Paddy Wallace are being tipped to replace the duo but there may be a large degree of continuity.
"Yes we could [make 13 changes] but we won't," said McNaughton.
"You saw the USA game. We will prepare properly.
"We won't make that many changes and will take the game extremely seriously and win that and get it over with and then move on to Italy.
"We've used about 24/25 players as it is, or at any rate 24/25 have togged out.
"So if we do give a game to some of those guys who haven't had game time, it doesn't infer 13 changes, it doesn't infer massive change."
But it will be a surprise if Kidney does not opt to rest a number of key individuals for the Russia contest.
Captain Brian O'Driscoll is a vital player for the Irish and, given his recent injury problems, it would seem logical for him to be excused from duty.
Tommy Bowe was scheduled to undergo a scan on Tuesday after taking a bump on the calf against Australia and while it is not believed to be serious, he could also be rested for this weekend's game.
Front-row heroes Cian Healy, Rory Best and Mike Ross may also be candidates to be left out of the starting line-up with the contest against Italy's strong front five looming.
Up to now, Cullen, Wallace, Sean Cronin, Donnacha Ryan, Isaac Boss and Fergus McFadden have not featured for the Irish in the tournament.
For his part, Keith Earls is keen to be retained in the starting 15 for the Russia game - one which he believes will offer the Irish backline the ideal chance to shine.
The Irish backs struggled for fluency in the rain against the USA while Sunday's match against the Australians was predominantly a forwards battle.
"It's fair to say we haven't seen the best of us and that's down to conditions and playing the right territory on the pitch," said Earls.
"Against America the weather wasn't great and it wasn't a day for flashing the ball around, so we kept it quite tight.
"Even then we managed to break out a couple of times.
"Against Australia there wasn't a need to throw it around the backs because the forwards were playing so well.
"You'll see a lot more from our backline, hopefully starting from this weekend.
"If we get good weather hopefully we'll spread the ball around."
Paul O'Connell and Gordon D'Arcy look likely to be rested after sustaining hamstring injuries in the stunning win over Australia.
Leo Cullen and Paddy Wallace are being tipped to replace the duo but there may be a large degree of continuity.
"Yes we could [make 13 changes] but we won't," said McNaughton.
"You saw the USA game. We will prepare properly.
"We won't make that many changes and will take the game extremely seriously and win that and get it over with and then move on to Italy.
"We've used about 24/25 players as it is, or at any rate 24/25 have togged out.
"So if we do give a game to some of those guys who haven't had game time, it doesn't infer 13 changes, it doesn't infer massive change."
But it will be a surprise if Kidney does not opt to rest a number of key individuals for the Russia contest.
Captain Brian O'Driscoll is a vital player for the Irish and, given his recent injury problems, it would seem logical for him to be excused from duty.
Tommy Bowe was scheduled to undergo a scan on Tuesday after taking a bump on the calf against Australia and while it is not believed to be serious, he could also be rested for this weekend's game.
Front-row heroes Cian Healy, Rory Best and Mike Ross may also be candidates to be left out of the starting line-up with the contest against Italy's strong front five looming.
Up to now, Cullen, Wallace, Sean Cronin, Donnacha Ryan, Isaac Boss and Fergus McFadden have not featured for the Irish in the tournament.
For his part, Keith Earls is keen to be retained in the starting 15 for the Russia game - one which he believes will offer the Irish backline the ideal chance to shine.
The Irish backs struggled for fluency in the rain against the USA while Sunday's match against the Australians was predominantly a forwards battle.
"It's fair to say we haven't seen the best of us and that's down to conditions and playing the right territory on the pitch," said Earls.
"Against America the weather wasn't great and it wasn't a day for flashing the ball around, so we kept it quite tight.
"Even then we managed to break out a couple of times.
"Against Australia there wasn't a need to throw it around the backs because the forwards were playing so well.
"You'll see a lot more from our backline, hopefully starting from this weekend.
"If we get good weather hopefully we'll spread the ball around."
No comments:
Post a Comment