Only two Munster players included in Irish squad for upcoming November internationals this week.
IRELAND are set to return to international action on Friday, November 6, in preparation to face Argentina, Fiji, and old rivals South Africa in the Nations Championship.
Tadhg Beirne and Craig Casey are the only Munster representatives in this November squad, with both Jack Crowley and Calvin Nash out injured.
Looking ahead to the Autumn Internationals, Chief Sports Editor of the Limerick Leader, John Keogh, shared with the Limerick Voice that he does not feel there were many surprises in the Irish squad.
“I think Andy Farrell has gone with quite a conservative squad, which is nothing new. He has picked players he knows and ones we are used to seeing, outside of Ulster duo Jamie Benson and James McNabney who are set to make debuts at some stage,” he said.
“I do feel that the squad has not been picked on form in certain places and that reputation has gotten a few players the nod. Time will tell.”
Ireland are stretched in the number eight position with injuries to both Jack Conan and Caelen Doris, with Connacht’s Sean Jensen favourite to take the spot.
Keogh expressed his opinion on who was unlucky to miss out on the squad. “Looking with a Munster hat one me, I think Brian Gleeson, especially with Jack Conan and Caelan Doris unavailable due to injury, can feel a little hard done by but maybe McNabney got the nod ahead of him. Also, Shay McCarthy is on fire for Munster so far this season but has to settle for a spot in the ‘A’ squad. Jeremy Loughman is a little unlucky too given his recent call ups.”
Head Coach Andy Farrell will be looking for his side to claim a big scalp this Autumn as his charges have struggled with South Africa, New Zealand, and France over the past two seasons.
When asked if getting one over on the Springboks will be a priority for Ireland, Keogh does not feel that is the case. “I don’t think that revenge will be a priority at all. Ireland know they can beat South Africa in a one-off game. Can they do it in a quarter-final or semi-final? That won’t be decided this month.”
Before a highly anticipated meeting with South Africa on November 21, Ireland face the challenge of Fiji and first Argentina in the Aviva Stadium this Friday at 8.10pm. Argentina offer tricky opposition. Despite having never beaten Ireland in Dublin, the Pumas did win on their last visit to the Aviva against the British and Irish Lions.