Heading into the Six Nations, much of the conversation on surrounding the Irish rugby team has related to the out-half position.
Johnny Sexton had previously occupied the '1o' jersey for over a decade, acting as both the team's leader and conductor of the attack. While there have been periods where he was unavailable due to injury, this will be the first time that Ireland will have to come to terms with life after the legendary Leinster star.
Jack Crowley is widely accepted as next in line for the position, although the Munster man is still very inexperienced at test level. The likes of Ross Byrne, Ciaran Frawley, Harry Byrne, and Sam Prendergast are also in the mix for the role moving forward.
Regardless of who eventually emerges as the next Irish rugby out-half, there are sure to be come growing pains along the way.
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Former Irish rugby star concerned about team's out-half options
It remains to be seen how Ireland will fare with a new face at out-half moving forward, although it's fair to say that some are concerned by the options currently at Andy Farrell's disposal.
Speaking to AFP, former Irish rugby star Hugo MacNeill said that he still has doubts over who will be the first choice '10' after Sexton. In any case, he feels the position will be an 'issue' for the team moving forward.
There is huge pressure due to the massive gap Johnny Sexton left.
I cannot think of another Ireland player who retired — with all due respect to Brian O’Driscoll and Paul O’Connell — who both directed and led the game, leaving such huge gaps to fill...
If anyone knows who the number 10 will be, then they are smarter than you or I.
Johnny Sexton’s shadow is very much hanging over them. He is not a threat, but he is very much there, not by his own volition, as the last thing he would want is to put pressure on them.
However, until somebody demonstrates otherwise, the fly-half position will be an issue.
Great players show up in big moments in big games. Am I completely confident one of them can take the game by the scruff of the neck in the next few weeks? I am not sure.
MacNeill earned 38 caps for Ireland during the 1980s, also touring with the Lions in 1983.
Andy Farrell has acknowledged that Irish rugby has a big hole to fill in the absence of Johnny Sexton, although he seems confident that the players currently in the squad have the ability to step up when called upon.
It will be interesting to see what sort of impact it has on the team during the upcoming Six Nations campaign.
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