WELL THEN, A lot of water has passed under the bridge since we brought you our initial Irish Rugby power rankings 10 days ago.
There have been injuries, more evidence of form and, most importantly, Joe Schmidt’s own version of the power rankings (he calls it a ‘squad’).
So here’s how the all the pieces have been moving and shaking in order of importance to the cause over the next three games.
1. Jonathan Sexton (No change).
Joe Schmidt today said he was tired and flat in the early part of the week as he is being overworked by Racing Metro. And, if he does line out in blue and white this weekend the coach will consider other options against Samoa.
The Pacific islanders will be far from a pushover though, and letting Sexton play in an attacking structure for three weeks running can only improve the form of both the number 10 and Ireland.
2. Paul O’Connell (no change).
3. Cian Healy (up one place).
The closer we get to this Samoa game, the clearer our memory of their physicality becomes.
We’ve leaped both Healy and Sean O’Brien above Brian O’Driscoll this week as they are our most dynamic forwards and will be essential to getting the better of Samoa early and often.
4. Sean O’Brien (up one place).
5. Brian O’Driscoll (down two).
6. Tommy Bowe (up one place).If everyone was fit and firing, Bowe and Kearney might just be looking over their shoulders, but as things stand both are nailed on starters in the back three and Ireland will once again be reliant on Bowe to stretch opponents into conceding more than three points.
7. Mike Ross (Down one).
8. Conor Murray (no change).
9. Jamie Heaslip (no change).
10. Rob Kearney (no change).
11. Luke Marshall (no change).
12. Rory Best (up one place).
13. Peter O’Mahony (up one place).
14. Dan Tuohy (up 17 places).
Since our opening power rankings, injuries have removed both Iain Henderson and Donnacha Ryan from the equation. That means the Ulster lock’s chance of winning a deserved cap next month has been greatly improved. And If Paul O’Connell doesn’t prove his fitness for Samoa, Tuohy should be named at number five without delay.
15. Declan Fitzpatrick (no change).
16. Keith Earls (no change).
©INPHO/Dan Sheridan
17. Mike McCarthy (up 13 places).
18. Paddy Jackson (up one place).
19. Chris Henry (up one place).We’re in for a bruising three weeks, so even if Schmidt prefers to continue with a back row of O’Mahony, O’Brien and Heaslip; the durable and adaptable Henry will be called upon at key times.
20. Gordon D’Arcy (down two places).
21. Sean Cronin (no change).
22. Jack McGrath (no change).
©INPHO/Morgan Treacy
23. Eoin Reddan (no change).
24. Stephen Archer (no change).
25. Dave Kearney (new entry).
Kearney is bumped this far up the ladder as he was an original member of Schmidt’s November squad. Though named among just a handful of wingers, the younger Kearney’s natural position is also fullback. That adaptability could work in his favour when the number 23 jersey is being handed out.
26. Ian Madigan (up one place).
27. Devin Toner (up nine places).
All the second rows are on the up this week and Donncha O’Callaghan’s release to Munster is good news for Toner.
28. Fergus McFadden (up 14 places).
29. Martin Moore (no change).
30. Andrew Trimble (down five places).
31. Kevin McLaughlin (up four places).
32. Isaac Boss (up 11 places)Schmidt’s preference for Boss over Paul Marshall and Kieran Marmion is a clear sign that the coach still sees the value his fellow Kiwi can bring to tight games. We may see Murray and Reddan as the clear first choices, but Schmidt hasn’t selected Boss to pick up squad experience.
33. Mike Sherry (up two places).
34. Robbie Henshaw (up six places).
35. James Coughlan (new entry).
36. Donncha O’Callaghan (up nine places).
37. Roger Wilson (new entry).
38. David Kilcoyne (down 12 places).
39. Luke Fitzgerald (no change).
40. Paul Marshall (down seven places).
D’Arcy: Ireland need to win all three November matches to restore fan faith
In pics: Man-bags, buggies and BOD out in force at Ireland training
