Andy Farrell is set to name his Ireland squad for the November internationals this week, and with interprovincial clashes in the last two rounds of URC, we saw head-to-head battles with players vying for their opportunity to be announced in the squad.
Going into the Connacht and Leinster game at the Dexcom Stadium last Saturday night, it felt like a trial game between Dave Heffernan, the more experienced hooker with more than 200 URC appearances, and the rising star in the hooker position, Gus McCarthy.
McCarthy's stock has risen dramatically in the last number of weeks. After captaining the Ireland Under-20 side last year, he was staring into a provincial battle with the likes of John McKee and Lee Barron, not to mention Ronan Kelleher and Dan Sheehan. It could have been a tough transition to senior rugby.
However, with injuries to others and his own ability to take the opportunity, he now looks likely to at least be named in Farrell’s Ireland squad, with some touting him as the next in line to wear the number two jersey.
It’s times like this that make the Emerging Ireland tour successful. McCarthy is coming off the back of a tour where he was exposed to Irish coaches and systems. The timing couldn’t be better for him to go straight into another camp while that knowledge is fresh. Knowledge and preparation will give players confidence, particularly when taking such a leap in terms of the level of the game.
He’s also currently the starting hooker in Leinster, the province that is responsible for most of the Ireland selection. He was exposed to two interprovincial matches in the last two weeks against other potential Ireland players and is likely to be getting most of the training reps at Leinster at present. He’s been around a lot of that Ireland team at training.
This will all accelerate his development quickly and suddenly a strong involvement in Farrell's squad no longer seems like wishful thinking. It could become a reality as soon as this week.
McCarthy (above) struggled with a couple of crooked throws in Galway last weekend. That’s not as much a reflection on his throwing as it is on the stormy weather in the West.
Kicking was clearly proving difficult, and it had a bearing on getting the ball thrown in straight at the lineout too. Having to fight through some issues like that, with an international pack, will stand to him in the coming weeks.
On the other side, Dave Heffernan is a strong, ball carrying and set-piece driven hooker. He’s dynamic off the maul, a huge part of a solid Connacht lineout and he’s worn the Irish jersey before. He’s expected to also be named in Farrell’s squad, and rightly so. He’s been a constant in Connacht’s squad for several years, despite having competition from guys like Dylan Tierney-Martin at present.
The complexion of Farrell’s selection at hooker will be dictated by fitness levels in other areas of the country.
Rob Herring would be firmly on Farrell’s radar; however, a calf injury means that he is likely unavailable.
Diarmuid Barron (below) in Munster was also on the periphery of Farrell's selections recently, but a HIA and previous poor luck with injuries has taken the momentum out of his charge for a place in the squad.
Considering Farrell’s squad announcement is expected this week, Barron’s return to play from a failed HIA against Leinster could be too late for one last impression on the Irish selection.
The Emerging Ireland tour was fixed to identify future talent and potential test players. Danny Sheahan and Stephen Smyth are both the same age as McCarthy. The former Under-20 captain is the most likely out of those three players to be included in the first-team squad and is set to qualify from the Emerging tour much earlier than anticipated.
It wouldn’t be Ireland's or Farrell’s form to expose a young player too early, especially with just a handful of URC appearances and no previous first-team exposure to training camps. However, now could be the time to find Ireland’s next medium to long term hooker. I’m not saying he’ll go straight in, but his inclusion seems inevitable at this stage.
The IRFU pathway system looks for more than just rugby ability, there’s a longer-term plan with physical development. This means how a player moves and their likelihood to become a robust senior player is analysed throughout their underage and provincial involvement. Reports suggest that McCarthy’s development has been impressive, with little concern over his ability to push on at the next level.
He’s already playing in a mostly international squad, albeit with a different coaching and management staff.
If Ireland are looking for experience to bridge the gap, Niall Scannell has vast exposure at the top level and has been drafted in during Irelands tour of New Zealand in 2023. He’s been frozen out at times, but he keeps going and is a diligent professional.
It’s no great harm that Ireland have been forced to decide on their medium-term future of the hooker position. It might not be optimal for beating the All Blacks and, of course, you’d like your strongest squad available, but as a coach it is very difficult to develop players when everyone’s available. Having less choice might be a blessing in disguise for Ireland.
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