The Irish rugby team's recent Nations Championship campaign has left fans with a mix of encouragement and concern. While there were some bright spots, such as the emergence of new players like Nick Timoney and Sean Jansen, and the return to form of Hugo Keenan, there were also familiar issues that need addressing. The lineout malfunctioned, the scrum was barely competent, and several senior players looked like they needed a break. With the Rugby World Cup approaching, it's time to take a closer look at the players who featured in July and assess their performances.
One of the most encouraging aspects of the campaign was the emergence of new players. Nick Timoney, in particular, has consistently delivered for Ireland since being given his shot. His performance against Japan was remarkable, and he is pushing for a starting spot. Sean Jansen also showed he has all the tools to be an operator at this level, but his cameo off the bench against New Zealand didn't quite live up to the hype. The return to form of Hugo Keenan was also a welcome sight, and he built on a strong end to the season for Leinster.
However, there were also some familiar issues that need addressing. The lineout malfunctioned far too often, and the scrum was barely competent. Several senior players looked like they needed a break, and the team's set-piece issues are a concern. The question remains whether or not these issues can be resolved in time for the Rugby World Cup.
One thing that immediately stands out is the need for a succession plan in the back-row. Joe McCarthy has become key to Ireland as a source of go-forward, and his physical authority is a welcome addition to the team. However, with players like Jack Conan, Josh van der Flier, and Cian Prendergast getting older, it's important to have a plan in place for the future. The same goes for the scrum-half position, where Jamison Gibson-Park is the glue that holds the team together, but he is not getting any younger.
In my opinion, the Irish team has a lot of work to do if they want to be competitive at the Rugby World Cup. While there were some bright spots in the Nations Championship campaign, the familiar issues need addressing. The team needs to find a way to improve their set-piece, and they need to have a plan in place for the future. With the Rugby World Cup approaching, it's time for the Irish team to step up and show what they're made of.
