Interprovincial squabbles generally offer up interesting duels in personnel terms that have ramifications beyond the 80 minutes and despite the absence of a cluster of frontline players, particularly in the Munster team, there are enough debating points to whet the appetite.
The euphemism is “mini- Irish trials”, and there’s no doubt that national coach Joe Schmidt will keep an eye on proceedings. His gaze might occasionally linger on the performances of the fullbacks, Ulster’s Stuart Olding and Currow’s finest, JJ Hanrahan.
Olding made a bright impression during his time with the national squad, on players and management alike, that extended far beyond a try-scoring cameo when introduced off the bench against Georgia.
The 21-year-old possesses a list of attributes – footwork, distribution, vision and lines of running that only the most parochial curmudgeon wouldn’t acknowledge.
Place kicker
Hanrahan’s (22) qualities are high-end too, if less honed. He too offers a running threat and is a superb place-kicker. While they are in different places on the progress graph, they are bound by a common identity.
At this point in their respective development, their ability to adapt to the role of fullback is something of an unknown quantity. Both largely played outhalf in their formative years and there is consensus abroad, amongst the cognoscenti, that they’ll each make an outstanding inside centre.
Why fullback
So why fullback? In Olding’s case, Ulster centre Stuart McCloskey presents a compelling skill-set, complemented by a powerful physical presence. Paddy Jackson, now injured, was first-choice outhalf, while Ian Humphreys, his deputy, can point to a track record of match-winning contributions, including at tonight’s venue.
Hanrahan is similarly stymied by in-form outhalf Ian Keatley and Munster coach Anthony Foley’s preference for Denis Hurley at inside centre. Logic dictates that coaches want their best players on the pitch and in that respect Foley and his Ulster counterpart Neil Doak are happy that Hanrahan and Olding add value to the team, even from fullback.
The coaches are taking a informed punt but there can be no guarantees of a successful conversion, so to speak. Paddy Wallace and Jeremy Staunton were two of the most naturally gifted and brilliant number 10s to play age-grade rugby for Ireland.
Wallace was a key figure in helping Ireland to win the Under-19 World Cup in 1998.
Staunton played All-Ireland League rugby as a teenager, at which point he penned his first contract with Munster. He made his Ireland debut as 21. At Munster, Staunton couldn’t wrest the outhalf jersey from Ronan O’Gara, while in Ulster Wallace was similarly encumbered by the presence of David Humphreys.Wallace and Staunton were chosen at fullback for Ulster and Munster respectively in a bid to accommodate their talent.
Their experiences act as a warning to Olding and Hanrahan, and those that guide their fortunes, of the potential difficulties that lie ahead. In the genealogy of rugby positions, outhalf and inside centre are side-by-side literally and share many common game-management traits, but the role of fullback represents a distant cousin, twice removed.
It will be instructive to note how they cope in tonight’s game and interesting to see if they are used as playmakers in the wide channels. Their positional play and ability in the air will be watched too.
Ulster beat Munster twice last season and boast an impressive winning record at Thomond Park in recent times.
Doak can call upon his captain Rory Best. The Ireland hooker spent most of the month sidelined through injury before returning against Australia, where his industry was evident for all to see.
Taking over from the injured Jackson, Ian Humphreys is the only change behind the scrum, and he has shown a fondness for playing well in Thomond Park.
Battle of the backrows
Alan O’Connor is promoted to the starting lineup, alongside recent try scorer Franco van der Merwe. Roger Wilson switches to blindside flanker to accommodate the return of Nick Williams.
Indeed, the battle of the backrows promises to be a pretty intense affair as Munster have essentially picked three number eights. CJ Stander will be flanked by Robin Copeland at blindside and Paddy Butler at seven.
The latter has no illusions about the difficulty of the task facing the home side.
“Ulster beat us twice last year, so we want to get our own back. We let them win at home, which we can never do, so we have to try to make up for that. Across the board, they’re a very good team. You always want to be top, but the main goal is getting the win and whatever happens after that happens.”
The last point is in reference to the impending return to European Champions Cup fare.
A game of this ilk is the perfect preparation, even though a host of key figures will be missing.
Foley has made five changes to the side that hammered the Dragons in a bonus-point victory last time out. He can also call upon three Irish internationals, Dave Kilcoyne, Tommy O’Donnell and Felix Jones, who are among the replacements.
In that respect Munster can muster the more decorated cavalry from the bench.
