Nearly as soon as Peter O'Mahony lifted the Six Nations trophy on Saturday evening, attention turned to Ireland's summer tour of South Africa.
The two top teams in the World Rugby rankings will square off on consecutive weekends, on the home turf of the twice-defending world champions.
The series has already taken on plenty of spice in South Africa. The Springboks have not beaten Ireland since 2016, and their coaching staff didn't seem impressed by the hype around Ireland during the Six Nations.
It will be very interesting to see how Andy Farrell approaches the tour. Ireland had the oldest squad in the Six Nations. The Ireland coach was criticised for being over-reliant on the same core of players during the Rugby World Cup, but the same core delivered a second consecutive Six Nations trophy. The tour of South Africa is certain to be attritional.
In key positions like the front row and in the centre, Farrell has the choice of shuffling his pack or sticking with the players who've gotten Ireland this far
Former Ireland prop Bernard Jackman believes Farrell should rest some key senior players for the Tour of South Africa in July.
Rumours swirled around the Aviva Stadium on Saturday that it was to be Peter O'Mahony's final appearance in a green shirt, while Conor Murray struggled during this Six Nations. Jackman, speaking on the RTE Rugby Podcast, is of the opinion that Ireland need to build depth given the age profile of some of the team.
He also feels that is no harm giving guys a rest after a long gruelling season that had a World Cup sandwiched into it.
Regardless of whether he plays on next year or not, I've no issue with Pete or Conor or any of those lads being in the Irish squad if they're better than what we have. But I do think a summer tour on the back of a World Cup year, on the back of a Six Nations where they've been y'know heavily involved, is maybe an opportunity just to test the next level down.
And, like, take Tadhg Furlong for example. I mean Bealham has been very good, Tadhg's form is good I've no issue there. I'm talking about resting him rather than dropping him. Same with the others".
READ HERE: Ireland Rugby: Combined Player Ratings For The 2024 Six Nations Campaign
Should Ireland give some of their older players a rest for the summer tour of South Africa? ☘️🇿🇦@bernardjackman and @MurphyJohne believe everyone would benefit in the long run.
📺🎧 Full #RTERugby pod: https://t.co/2yh8cvLe79 pic.twitter.com/1f7HoZMktV— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) March 20, 2024
Jackman believes that keeping some senior players such as O'Mahony, Murray as well as Tadhg Furlong and Bundee Aki in reserve, could prolong their careers letting while also increasing the depth in already a very strong squad.
Bundee Aki's form is brilliant but I'm just talking about minding him so that next year he is fresh, fit and ready to perform for Connacht and Ireland. But just Tadhg's position Oil Jager is now available to us we didn't have him a year ago y'know he's done well for Munster. Finlay Bealham, his age profile, he's 32 so he hasn't got 10 years left."
"Wouldn't it be a great boost for him to be our starting tighthead against the Boks and let him go? So that's what I think and Oli Jager to get significant time. So then next year we've three very good tightheads that are proven at international level and that's kinda where I'm thinking".
Whoever Andy Farrell decides to bring there are sure to be some tired bodies after the season with all four Irish provinces in the running for the URC playoffs while Munster and Leinster have huge Champions Cup matches to come. It is sure to be an interesting couple of months in Irish rugby.
