Hugo Keenan is anticipated to rejoin the Irish Rugby squad as fullback during their fourth match of the 2024 Guinness Six Nations against England held in Twickenham. This could be the lone alteration to the starting team which yielded a 31-7 triumph over Wales nearly two weeks ago, with the matchday 23 declaration scheduled for Thursday before the team heads to London.
Andy Farrell is likely to conserve the 6-2 division on the bench, a strategy used successfully in the 38-17 win over France in Marseille on the debut night and resumed in the game against Wales. Garry Ringrose, although back in active training after the game against Wales, hasn’t been on the field for six weeks. Given Ciarán Frawley’s superior flexibility, Ringrose might not make the squad for Twickenham, especially considering the 6-2 formation. Frawley provides additional coverage as an outhalf, centre, fullback, and substitute goalkicker.
Despite bouncing back from a dislocated toe, there’s a chance that Iain Henderson will be left out again, even as the incorporation of an extra back five forward amongst the substitutes has become routine. Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne, James Ryan, and Ryan Baird’s excellent performance deserve credit for this.
After the World Cup, McCarthy, Baird and Crowley have emerged as substantial gainers. McCarthy has convincingly earned his place in the starting secondrow. His influence on Beirne and the team is significant enough to make his selection unquestionable. Crowley successfully seized the opportunity left by Johnny Sexton, while Baird, dissatisfied with his World Cup performance, has played the best rugby of his career.
Baird, who has been playing regularly with both Leinster and Ireland, is now seen more as a specialist six rather than a hybrid lock/blindside. His outstanding form is arguably the crucial factor for the shift to a 6-2 bench.
The decision to opt for a forward-loaded bench played a significant role in Ireland’s victory against France, and it had an arguably more considerable impact in the game against Wales. The introduction of key players, especially Rónan Kelleher, along with Baird, Ryan, and Jack Conan, facilitated a more direct strategy that was instrumental in their success.
In the match’s concluding quarter, some of Ireland’s most outstanding performances took place. They successfully scored two notable tries and had a third questionably denied, even though no clear proof of a forward tip-on by Robbie Henshaw was visible before Baird’s skillfully discreet transfer. These advancements were primarily attributed to a more linear and earned running approach, contrasting the initial intricate and lateral strategy that had seemingly dissatisfied Farrell.
Oli Jager, another Irish rugby player, resumed full-time training this week after missing the previous week’s two-day assembly and open training session at Aviva Stadium involving the Irish Under-20s. Jager, who earned his first cap off the bench against Wales, took a less traditional route via Blackrock College, the Crusaders, and more recently, Munster, marking a heartening journey for the 28 year-old.
However, there is some speculation suggesting that Finlay Bealham could be called back to act as Tadhg Furlong’s substitute, as the Connacht prop has been his reliable backup for the previous three seasons. He has delivered crucial performances in the victories against the Springboks and the All Blacks in the recent years and has admirably stepped up to the plate in the initial three rounds of the last season’s Grand Slam.
Despite Frawley making a memorable full Test debut by scoring a try against Wales, it is the potential return of Keenan that has given comfort to the Irish fans ahead of the next Saturday’s match at Twickenham. With the highest accumulated minutes (2,916) under Farrell, Keenan has been a vital player for the Irish team. Prior to the match against Wales, Keenan started in 32 of the 36 Test matches since February 2021, which solidified his position in the core of the team.
The England team is also set to announce their team on Thursday. It remains to be seen if Steve Borthwick will continue with George Ford or bring back a fit Marcus Smith. Regardless, a high-ball game is anticipated as they aim to hamper Ireland’s aspirations for consecutive Grand Slams.
In a potential match between England and Ireland, the Irish team might be set up as follows: H Keenan would potentially take up defense, flanked by C Nash, R Henshaw, B Aki, J Lowe. J Crowley and J Gibson-Park would also join in. A Porter, D Sheehan, and T Furlong would be part of the team, in addition to J McCarthy, T Beirne, P O’Mahony – who may also serve as the captain, J van der Flier, and C Doris. Substitutes could be R Kelleher, C Healy, F Bealham or O Jager, J Ryan, R Baird, J Conan, C Murray, C Frawley.