Alan Quinlan has conceded that Ireland just aren’t on the same level as France at the moment and has tabled a ploy to help Sam Prendergast thrive.
The former Ireland and Munster back-rower states that Andy Farrell simply doesn’t have the same resources as his French counterpart Fabian Galthie, who had the luxury of omitting seasoned internationals Damian Penaud, Gregory Alldritt and Gael Fickou in his Six Nations squad selection.
Les Bleus rampaged to a 36-14 victory at the Stade de France thanks to a healthy combination of firepower up front and backline brilliance.
Galthie is in the fortunate position of choosing his squad from 14 teams in the French top division, with further talents littered throughout the 16 Pro D2 teams too.
Where’s the next Brian O’Driscoll?
Quinlan highlighted the disparity with Ireland’s selection from the four provinces, which are unable to unearth the same kind of talents as France.
“We often think, where’s the next Brian O’Driscoll coming from? They have about three or four Brian O’Driscolls there in their backline,” he said on Off the Ball.
“People will critique here, alarm bells ringing and all that kind of stuff, but we have to accept the reality here: We’re not at the same level. We don’t have the same level of player.
“Going into the game last night and I just thought Dupont, Jalibert, Moefana, Depoortere, Attissogbe, Bielle-Biarrey and Ramos. Wow. Well, that’s phenomenal stuff.
“They’ve 14 teams to choose from in the top 14, they’ve a second division that’s their selection pool, the depth that Fabien Galthie has.”
It was a forgettable night for Ireland fly-half Prendergast at the Stade de France as the number 10 was clearly targeted by the French attack.
He struggled defensively but also on attack as he was unable to really get his side firing until the latter stages of the game when Jack Crowley was deployed at full-back. Quinlan tabled the idea that Farrell should look to get both players into his starting line-up for the betterment of the team.
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Crowley-Prendergast ploy
His idea earned the support of former Scotland coach Matt Williams, who pointed to Australia and New Zealand’s previous success with dual playmaker.
Williams adds that there is no better time to trial Crowley and Prendergast in the same backline than now, considering the injuries and availabilities at full-back and centre.
“Mack Hansen was often that second [playmaker], as New Zealand called that the second five, a second playmaker. I’ve said for many years that I think Jack Crowley could play 12 at international level for exactly that reason,” he said.
“So if Prendergast knows he’s got a second playmaker, what’s he got to do? He’s got to catch the ball, go straight, eyeball his own man and either hit his forward runner or put the ball out the back.
“If he puts it far enough out the back, that second playmaker has got time. He’s got time to make a decision and you can certainly see that with the French with Thomas Ramos.
“We need him [Crowley] on the field. We need his skill on the field. Certainly an excellent defender. He can give you another kicking option. And I would go with that. At what time? Well, if you haven’t got Henshaw and you haven’t got Bundee Aki, you’re not going to have them, the time is now. I would have no problems with that selection. I’d welcome it.”
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