Joe Schmidt has a lot of decisions to make before he names the 31 individuals that will represent Ireland in the World Cup this September in October. But before that, Schmidt still has tough choices to make when selecting his extended training squad.
There are tough choices to make all through the squad, and there are players that are on the edge of the 46 or 47 players that if given the chance can make the final squad. There are approximately 21 players that should be guaranteed to make the final 31 man squad injury permitting.
They are: Cian Healy, Jack McGrath, Rory Best, Sean Cronin, Richardt Strauss, Mike Ross, Martin Moore, Paul O'Connell, Iain Henderson, Devin Toner, Peter O'Mahony, Sean O'Brien, Chris Henry, Jamie Heaslip, Conor Murray, Eoin Reddan, Johnny Sexton, Jared Payne, Robbie Henshaw, Tommy Bowe and Rob Kearney.
That leaves ten players for the final squad which will be between the remaining 26 or 27 players in Schmidt's extended squad.
Front Row:
At loosehead, Munster pair Dave Kilcoyne and James Cronin are the two props that are likely to be selected to battle for the final loosehead spot over the summer. Connacht's Denis Buckley had a great season and will play in the Emerging Ireland team but it's likely that's as far as his season will go. Schmidt has shown trust and faith in the much-maligned Michael Bent who could also be an option.
With three hookers already included and three hookers needed, Schmidt will want at least one extra hooker as cover. It's likely that this will be between Munster's Duncan Casey and Ulster's Rob Herring. Schmidt has shown a liking to Herring whenever a fourth hooker is required. That said though, Herring is one duty with Emerging Ireland at the moment, and it will be interesting to see if Casey's absence from that tour is a help or hinder.
The third tighthead prop spot will be intensely fought over for the summer. Schmidt will want New Zealander Nathan White to stay fit enough for his long overdue Ireland debut. Schmidt is likely to select five tightheads and Leinster's young tractor Tadhg Furlong and Connacht's Rodney Ah You would be Schmidt's most probable choices to fight for the final spot. Outside that, the Emerging Ireland pair Stephen Archer and Finlay Bealham would be next in line.
Second Row:
Mike McCarthy could be the unfortunate sacrifice from the Six Nations squad after the return to injury of Donnacha Ryan and Dan Tuohy. Schmidt hasn't worked with Donnacha Ryan yet, which may effect his chances. There's an outside chance that all three could be selected, but it's more likely that someone will miss out.
Back Row:
Given that there will either four or five players in the final squad, at least two of the seven quality players will be left behind. Joining messrs O'Mahony, O'Brien, Henry and Heaslip will be Tommy O'Donnell, Jordi Murphy and Emerging Ireland captain Rhys Ruddock who are fighting for one place.
Halfbacks:
In every World Cup squad since a limit of 30 or 31 players has had three scrumhalves in it. Conor Murray is the untouchable first choice, with Eoin Reddan cemented in as the second choice. This leaves experience against youth to fight it out over the summer in Isaac Boss and Kieran Marmion. Emerging Ireland's John Cooney outperformed Marmion in the last three months of the season and could be an option.
Who will be the backup to Jonny Sexton will also be a tough choice. Schmidt could take the three options in Paddy Jackson, Ian Madigan and Ian Keatley in the extended party who will all be attempting to persuade Schmidt to bring three outhalves. Madigan's versatility helps him a lot.
Centres:
Just who will be in Ireland's midfield when the world comes around. Schmidt seems to have settled on Jared Payne and Robbie Henshaw, but who will be backing them up. Will it be the experience of Gordon D'Arcy? The youthful but powerful Stuart McCloskey? The "my face doesn't fit here" Darren Cave? Or the talented but injury disrupted Luke Marshall? I don't envy Schmidt with this decision.
Back Three:
Ireland have never had as much depth in the wings before. That the Pro 12's top try scorer is young and Irish but also sixth choice really speaks to how good Ireland are set at the position. But wing is also one of the most versatile positions, such that it's hard to seeing Ireland take more than five back three players. Tommy Bowe and Rob Kearney are certainties leaving the final three spots to be fought between Schmidt's favourite Felix Jones, Luke Fitzgerald, Simon Zebo, Andrew Trimble, Keith Earls, Craig Gilroy, and David Kearney.
It's almost that Schmidt can pick any three of those, upset a lot of people and still get the job done such is the quality of the options available.
