Jordan Larmour is the form player in Irish rugby at the moment. His emergence for Leinster, his weaving running style and spectacular tries has injected a sense of excitement in the Irish rugby season. The 20-year-old has lit up the Pro 14, and was outstanding again last Sunday scoring two tries against Ulster at the RDS.
While we expected Larmour to make his first European start against Glasgow on Sunday, it's very interesting that's he's been selected at his preferred position of 15 ahead of the established Rob Kearney, rather than on the wing.
Larmour over Rob Kearney. Huge call.
— Gavin Cummiskey (@Cumoski) January 12, 2018
Doubtless, a lot of that decision will have come down to the fact that Fergus McFadden is playing perhaps the best rugby of his career and it would have been incredibly harsh to leave him out.
With James Lowe's performances since coming into the team, Leinster find themselves in a position of picking a first choice back three they wouldn't have dreamed of just couple of months ago.
Another sign of the times - Leinster's full back choice against Glasgow in Dublin on Saturday. After 81 Tests, Rob Kearney is replaced by 20-year-old Jordan Larmour.
— Peter Jackson (@JackoRugby) January 12, 2018
Larmour's performance on Sunday will no doubt be watched closely by Joe Schmidt. He's been involved in Irish camps with the Irish coach going back to last year's Six Nations when he was a member of the Ireland Unders 20s team, and Johnny Sexton said this week that Schmidt is a big fan of the 20 year old.
Rob Kearney had a very strong November at full-back for Ireland, but with the lack of depth in the squad at the position due to the French defection of Simon Zebo, and the fact that his club coaches have clearly made the call of youth over experience at 15, Schmidt will have at least consider involving Larmour for the Six Nations.
Leinster Team to play Glasgow:
15. Jordan Larmour
14. Fergus McFadden
13. Robbie Henshaw
12. Isa Nacewa (c)
11. James Lowe
10. Johnny Sexton
9. Luke McGrath
1 Jack McGrath
2. Sean Cronin
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Devin Toner
5. Scott Fardy
6. Jordi Murphy
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Jack Conan
Replacements:
16. Bryan Byrne
17. Cian Healy
18. Andrew Porter
19. James Ryan
20. Dan Leavy
21. Nick McCarthy
22. Ross Byrne
23. Rob Kearney
