Andy Farrell will be watching closely to see how this 12-man group goes over the Six Nations fallow weekend:
WHATEVER ABOUT THE players who have stepped up for Ireland over the last two weeks due to injuries, there is also quality among those who haven’t even had a chance yet.
With Sexton nursing a groin injury, Ireland boss Andy Farrell is keeping Crowley with his 25-man squad for training on Thursday and Friday this week. It remains to be seen if the Ireland captain is fit for the clash with Italy in two weekends’ time, but Farrell has ever-growing faith in Crowley. Munster back row Gavin Coombes has been playing excellent rugby in recent months but wasn’t able to muscle his way past Jack Conan for a bench spot with Ireland in the past fortnight.
Earls still has class but having lost his place with his province, needs a chance to show what he can do. Munster welcome tighthead prop Roman Salanoa back from Ireland camp too, the explosive 25-year-old having gained valuable experience. Still only 26, Stockdale doesn’t seem too close to Ireland starts right now but we know that he can hit Test-level heights that other wings will simply never get to. Farrell was keen to keep him involved as Stockdale continues to look for more rhythm in his game.
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