TOKYO: Jordan Larmour and Andrew Conway were promoted to Ireland’s starting line-up yesterday for their Rugby World Cup opener against Scotland after a frustrating week of backline injuries for the top-ranked side.
Rob Kearney and Keith Earls, who have more than 170 caps between them, had run out of time to prove full fitness, coach Joe Schmidt said, while Robbie Henshaw and Joey Carbery did not even enter the selection frame.
“The best continuity we had was the guys who trained throughout the time we were here,” Schmidt said of his rearranged backline when naming his side for Sunday’s Pool A game in Yokohama.
Larmour, Conway, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki and Jacob Stockdale complete the starting backline outside regular halves Jonathan Sexton and Conor Murray.
Larmour, who started on the wing when Ireland beat Wales 19-10 in their final warm-up match two weeks ago, has been moved to fullback while Conway, who also has experience at 15, stays on the wing.
Schmidt said he had every faith in his new-look backline who were “very, very keen to impress and now have that opportunity.
“Across the board I think we are happy with the starting 15 and the bench.”
In the forwards, Tadhg Furlong, captain Rory Best and Cian Healy — the most established front row of all 20 World Cup teams — will start together for the 14th time.
James Ryan and Iain Henderson occupy the second row while CJ Stander, Josh van der Flier and Peter O’Mahony make up the crucial back three.
“We know the breakdown is going to be hotly contested. There’s going to be challenges for (referee) Wayne Barnes that’s for sure,” Schmidt said. – AFP
