JOE SCHMIDT HAS been somewhat out of the limelight in recent weeks, but that does not mean he has not been busy.
Plans are nearing completion for the two-Test tour of Argentina in June, although there are likely to be a number of places in Ireland’s travelling squad still undecided. With that in mind, a scouting trip to Ravenhill this evening will provide ample food for thought.
25 Irish-eligible players are spread across Ulster and Leinster’s starting teams and a further 15 have been included on the benches, meaning there are options aplenty for Schmidt to assess, some with more realistic international aspirations than others.
Dave Kearney, who lines out on Leinster’s left wing directly opposite Andrew Trimble, recognises that these high-stakes inter-provincial clashes count for plenty in terms of furthering international honours.
“Every game you play, in terms of Irish selection, is big. There are a lot of guys playing well at the moment, especially in that Ulster back three. It’s a big test coming up against those guys, It’s an inter-pro derby, so it always gets that international-type intensity.”
His teammate Sean Cronin admits that “we’re playing against guys for Irish spots” as he gets set to face Rob Herring in the hooker position, before adding that “there’s always an added bit of pressure” when facing another Irish province.
However, there is more to this tie than a simple play-off for individual spots on the Ireland tour, this being a potentially decisive clash in the race for a home Pro12 semi-final. Leinster are in the driving seat as league leaders, but fourth-placed Ulster have not given up hope yet.
The fact that the seedings for the play-offs have become even closer, it’ll be a very tight, tough game,” says Cronin. “The Rabo is a massive competition as well and it’s what we play week in, week out in.
“They’re pushing for the home semi-final place, just like we are. We know that if we go up there and we put in a performance and can get a win, we’re well on the way to getting a home semi-final.”
Not an easy feat against this Ulster team, particularly as they officially open the refurbished Ravenhill, what Cronin calls the “added factor of the stadium.” Kearney points to the number of stand out players in the Ulster side as a marker of their quality.
“I think Ulster are a team who’ve performed really well this season, with some really good players in their team. They’ve obviously got some really good foreign players in Muller, Pienaar, Payne, and then a good bit of Irish talent too; Paddy Jackson, Iain Henderson, Luke Marshall.”
Pushed to highlight areas in which Ulster can realistically aim to target Ulster, Cronin instead further stresses their strengths.
“I think that Ulster have developed one of the strongest squads in Europe over the last number of years. They’ve got quality across the board, so it’s hard to pick out weaknesses. They’re a very well-rounded team in their back play and forward play.”
Kick-off in the Ulster v Leinster clash at Ravenhill is 7.30pm, with Luke Pearce of the RFU refereeing.
Ulster: Ricky Andrew; Andrew Trimble, Jared Payne, Luke Marshall, Tommy Bowe; Paddy Jackson, Paul Marshall; Tom Court, Rob Herring, Andrew Warwick; Johann Muller (capt.), Iain Henderson; Roger Wilson, Chris Henry, Nick Williams.
Replacements: Niall Annett, Callum Black, Adam Macklin, Dan Tuohy, Sean Doyle, Michael Heaney, James McKinney, Darren Cave.
Leinster: Rob Kearney; Zane Kirchner, Brian O’Driscoll, Gordon D’Arcy, Dave Kearney; Ian Madigan, Isaac Boss: Cian Healy, Sean Cronin, Martin Moore; Devin Toner, Mike McCarthy; Rhys Ruddock, Shane Jennings, Jamie Heaslip (capt.).
Replacements: Richardt Strauss, Jack McGrath, Mike Ross, Leo Cullen, Jordi Murphy, Luke McGrath, Jimmy Gopperth, Luke Fitzgerald.
