Share
23rd January 2020
12:20pm GMT
"I heard someone talk about how the 23 is a big part of this championship," says Murphy.
"The eight subs are going to be a huge part of this Six Nations team. I suppose it's something we don't really focus on a huge amount, when it comes to the Irish team, is how important the bench could be. So, I've gone in with that frame of mind, basically."
Murphy and Trimble then selected their starting XVs and benches, with Jerry Flannery there to offer his take on matters. McCloskey's late call-up saw both men bump players (Robbie Henshaw for Murphy and Chris Farrell for Trimble) from their initial XVs.
BARRY MURPHY: I've gone with a front row of Dave Kilcoyne, Ronan Kelleher and Tadhg Furlong. I've gone with Dev Toner, James Ryan in the second row. I've gone with Iain Henderson at 6, I've gone with Doris at 8 and I've gone Josh van der Flier at 7. I've Cian Healy, Rob Herring and Andrew Porter to come off the bench at 50 minutes and destroy everyone with Pete O'Mahony and CJ Stander to come off the bench in the second half, with Hendy moving to the second row, probably take Dev off and then let Pete and CJ just run... I mean, the idea of just having the two of them off the bench. I mean, f***. Imagine when you're tired and then facing those lads. I've gone with John Cooney and Johnny Sexton, 9, 10. McCloskey and Garry Ringrose in the centre. Back three of Jacob Stockdale, Keith Earls and Will Addison. Conor Murray to come on for Cooney. Ross Byrne on the bench, potentially to come on for Sexton if needs be, and then Andrew Conway. Conway and Earlsy was a tough one. Conway is playing brilliant, but I would love to see Will Addison play with Earlsy and see how much space he could create for him. ANDREW TRIMBLE: Your front row on the bench is my front row that starts (Healy, Herring, Porter) And I've got James Ryan and Hendy in the row. I've got Pete at 6, Josh at 7 and Max Deegan at 8. Deegan. Cooney at 9, Sexton at 10. Jacob on the left. I've gone for McCloskey and Ringrose in the centre and I've gone for Larmour on the right wing and Addison at 15.While Max Deegan is the only uncapped player in his starting Ireland XV, he would also include Ronan Kelleher on his bench and possibly Doris too. Flannery approved of both lads having Addison at fullback and the deciding factor on his call was disagreeing with Iain Henderson at blindside. Flannery would prefer the Ulster captain in the second row and, for that reason, he sided with Trimble's 23. Your move, Andy Farrell.
Explore more on these topics:
