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9th January 2024
05:14pm GMT

Tom Ahern pictured after the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Munster at Aviva Stadium. (Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile)[/caption]
"This has nothing to do with my ego but, over the years, I've had a pretty good eye for players, going right back to Brian O'Driscoll, who I first coached with the Leinster 'A' team. I remember going to [head coach] Mike Ruddock about him - now I'm not taking any credit for his incredible career! "I've had a good eye for players and it's been similar with a couple of the younger guys playing with Ulster and Munster, who have gone on to play for Ireland. Tom Ahern, last year, when I watched him in that Munster vs. Leinster game [in April 2022]. He came on for the last 25 minutes and I remember thinking, 'Boy, this guy is good'. He was more of a string-bean then but you could see he had the ability, speed and size to play at No.6. "If you look at a guy who is 6-foot-8, 6-foot-9, where else in the world are you going to get a guy of that height to play there? He gives you another option at the lineout and they can play another big guy like Joe McCarthy, who is a bit shorter [6-foot-6] but more powerful, in the second row. He's going to be... if he keeps on the trajectory he's on right now, he's going to be a find, not just for Irish rugby but for world rugby.""I'm predicting that now," Pope added, "that Tom Ahern will force his way into some game time in the Six Nations and move on from there, and he'll be a big part of Ireland's future." [caption id="attachment_291940" align="aligncenter" width="640"]
Jacob Stockdale, right, with Ciaran Frawley during an Ireland rugby squad training session in the IRFU High Performance Centre. (Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile)[/caption]
"I'd like to see Calvin Nash come in there. Shane Daly, too. I'd even like to see him back in camp and having an opportunity... there's definitely chances coming up for lads."Jacob Stockdale on the left wing is the simplest solution if Lowe misses out - he has looked sharper this season and as six tries in nine Ulster games, including one in the recent win over Leinster. The right wing berth could be scrapped out between Jordan Larmour, Rob Baloucoune and Calvin Nash. One novel suggestion was asking Garry Ringrose to step out of the 13 jersey, for Robbie Henshaw, and reprise a role he has not filled for almost nine years. Back in his first season with the Leinster senior squad, Ringrose played against Scarlets and Glasgow on the right wing. One wonders if he would have that speed he possessed as a 20-year-old with his rugby future laid out before him. If you want another option to mull, how about Hugo Keemnan at right wing and Ciarán Frawley or Mike Lowry at fullback? Lots to ponder for Andy Farrell & Co. Join SportsJOE’s WhatsApp community for first access to news, sports updates, and quizzes. Click on this link to receive news and the latest sports headlines directly to your phone. You can leave the group at any time.
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