True to his word that they would seek to use all 31 players over the course of Ireland's first two World Cup games, Joe Schmidt is set to make multiple changes side for Sunday's game against Romania when he unveils his hand at lunchtime today.
The one possible exception to the grand plan is Robbie Henshaw, whose hamstring twang may or may well not be risked for this game. Otherwise though, every member of the squad is set to feature by the close of business at Wembley.
Cian Healy is expected to start his first game of the season after last Saturday's 19-minute cameo. This will be his first start for Ireland since the win over Scotland in March which sealed Ireland's dramatic retention of their Six Nations crown, and which is his only start for Ireland since the corresponding Saturday in March 2014 when Ireland secured the title in Paris.
Pack down
Richardt Strauss and Nathan White are expected to pack down alongside him, with Donnacha Ryan and
Devin Toner
in the second row. Even though team manager Mick Kearney has reiterated that all 31 players are fit for selection, given Peter O’Mahony and Iain Henderson have been limited in their on-pitch training this week, one imagines either the ever durable Jamie Heaslip or Sean O’Brien will be asked to be back-up, with the other maybe on the bench. Either way, Jordi Murphy and Chris Henry seem sure to start.
Paddy Jackson was always likely to start this game, and almost certainly alongside Eoin Reddan bearing in mind Conor Murray is the only other scrumhalf in the squad. If Henshaw is deemed a risk worth taking, Darren Cave would most probably start outside him. More likely is that Cave will start at inside centre, with Keith Earls having his turn in midfield and Luke Fitzgerald back on the wing.
Tommy Bowe will presumably be given his chance at right-wing to put his Twickenham performance behind him and remind everyone, not least the coaches, of the abilities that have made him one of Ireland’s greatest right-wingers, and perhaps the best.
Although Rob Kearney had only played one warm-up game prior to the opener against Canada and was brought out to the media earlier this week, whereas Simon Zebo wasn't, given the slight knee problem Kearney had before the World Cup, and as the chosen cover at full-back, presumably Zebo will start.
The bench
The options for the bench are manifold, and are partly fitness related, so it’s hard to tell whether the likes of Paul O’Connell and Johnny Sexton will be there for insurance purposes, or wrapped in cotton wool. Conceivably, for example, Ian Madigan could be asked to cover ‘9’ and/or ‘10’, or neither!
Nonetheless, it would be no surprise to see many of the big guns kept in cold storage. After this game, to fulfil their 9/1 shot at winning the cup outright, Ireland would then have to beat Italy, France, Argentina, England or Australia or Wales, to reach a final, perhaps against the All Blacks.
Hence, the 35-year-old Mike Ross may for once be rested, with a replacements’ front-row of Jack McGrath, Sean Cronin and Tadhg Furlong, while Dave Kearney looks the likeliest of the other backs to provide cover from the bench.
For Healy, it is a welcome return, albeit one that has left him with some catching up to do. Normally a hyperactive type who readily fills in his down time, when asked what he was doing for entertainment in the World Cup so far, he answered deadpan and even a little wearily: “Studying!”
A new course to keep him extra busy? No. “I have to get all my lineouts and stuff sorted. Having been away from playing for so long, it’s one of the things I have to have nailed on, so I’m spending all my extra time on the computers. I’ve had to pick up on it . . . ”
He’s volunteering to step into lineout practice, not least as it’s more enjoyable and it improves his reaction speeds. Nor can he take long sessions by his computer. “I go back and forward. I can’t do 50 minutes or an hour sitting at a computer. It’s mind-numbing. I’ll go in and do 20 minutes, then come back again and do 20 minutes. Keep it ticking over.”
Save for some keeping a brief diary, there’s been no art work, creative writing or yesterday’s down day to play golf or join in any of the day’s activities, rather he just chilled and did some more studying.
“It’s been fairly full-on camp here. Down-time has been spent in the recovery room, hot and cold jets and stuff. The lads did a cinema evening last evening but that’s about it. It’s all rugby-related here. It’s perfect, though. I don’t think anyone has an issue with that. It’s a pretty incredible facility to be able to hang around in and train in.”
Possible Ireland team to play Romania: Simon Zebo, Tommy Bowe, Keith Earls, Darren Cave, Luke Fitzgerald, Paddy Jackson, Eoin Reddan; Cian Healy, Richardt Strauss, Nathan White, Donnacha Ryan, Devin Toner, Jordi Murphy, Chris Henry, Jamie Heaslip.
