With two games of the Nations Championship now in the books and a game against New Zealand to come, it is clear that Ireland still have some major issues to address in order to get back to their best ahead of next year’s World Cup.
The scrum has been a concern at various points, while a lack of pace in the side has also hurt them in attack. However, one of the most longstanding problems comes at the lineout.
It is an area Ireland that Ireland have struggled in consistently for a number of seasons, with lineout coach Paul O’Connell finding it difficult to get the team to perform consistently from the set-piece.
As to potential solutions, one current squad member could come into focus.
Fringe squad member could help solve big Ireland issue
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There are not many line-out specialists in the current Ireland squad, making it all the more difficult for the coaches to make a real breakthrough in that area.
It is something that can be difficult to teach to players if they have not excelled in that area throughout their time in the sport.
Speaking on the RTÉ Rugby Podcast, Bernard Jackman said there is one recently added member of the Ireland squad that could offer a potential solution moving forward.
We don’t have a natural line-out guru. I’d say, or one or two line-out gurus. We’re a bit thick about trying to solve problems.
Like Darragh Murray, he caught the eye in camp during the Six Nations because of how detailed he is and how good he is at opposition line-out, but also his own line-out work, and him and [Paul] O’Connell are kind of similar minds on that.
But unfortunately, he’s not in the front line at the moment. He’s a developing player trying to push out Joe McCarthy, James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne, which is pretty difficult.
Darragh Murray aiming for Ireland breakthrough
Darragh Murray has impressed during the limited opportunities he has been given at test level, although he has yet to feature in this summer’s Nations Championship. As a result, it seems unlikely that he will feature against New Zealand this weekend.
The 25-year old still has plenty of time to make an impact for Ireland, with his ability to contribute in the lineout something that will work in his favour when it comes to potential selection.
With the set-piece becoming an increasingly influential part of the game, it is something Andy Farrell may well consider moving forward.