After Munster and Leinster both sealed their place in the Guinness PRO14 final following respective wins against Connacht and Ulster, Alan Quinlan joined OTB AM to look back on two highly entertaining Irish derbies.
And with a number of frontline internationals retained by Irish head coach Andy Farrell, it was an opportunity for some players on the outside of the tent to make their case for international call-ups this summer.
Quite a few players made legitimate cases for inclusion, and Quinny ran through some of the contenders.
Gavin Thornbury
The Connacht second row was man-of-the-match in their defeat to Munster, but the 27-year-old has been a consistent performer for Andy Friend over the course of the last two seasons. The Dublin native had been reportedly on the radar of Joe Schmidt back in 2018 before length injury problems, but Quinny believes he looks capable of stepping up to test rugby in 2021...
"I've watched this guy all season and last season, and I think that there's definitely potential. I think he's over six foot eight, around 120kg, he's mobile, he's agile.
"I think he's probably a bit of a late developer at 27, but he definitely has potential to go up to the next level.
"You'd love to see him really be a dominant force and be a big bruiser, he has that physicality. I think if you can get a guy like him involved with Ireland and he can take that step up, he has the size and physicality and presence. It's just about doing it at a level above, and being a dominant figure, an imposing figure as a second row.
"His performance the other night was very, very impressive and it's something for Andy Farrell and Paul O'Connell to think about, getting him involved and seeing if he can take the step up," he said.
Mike Haley
The Munster fullback earned his sole Irish cap in a World Cup warm-up game against Italy in 2019, but he's been on the outside looking in since then. His try against Connacht showed exactly what he's capable of, but Quinny wants to see more...
"Mike Haley hasn't been consistently good enough. He's had glimpses in matches, and his aerial ability is very good. I think the try he scored the other night - we don't see enough of that. We don't see enough of the line breaks, we don't see enough of a real intensity to his game.
"He's a very talented player, but I just think he gives you a few nerves at times with some of his decision making and the fundamentals of being a rock solid fullback at times aren't there.
"He's multi talented, I just think he needs to become more resolute in doing the basics really really well and add more to the attacking game we know he has.
"He has the ability, he's been called into the Irish squad a couple of times, it's just doing it consistently at the top level."
Scott Penny
The stats tell their own story. Nine games, nine tries, and man of the match awards in consecutive weeks. Scott Penny has had to contend himself with PRO 14 starts to date this season, but Quinny says he looks more than ready for the step up...
"Scott Penny is an incredible player, he has the ability. He's kind of like what's happened to Gavin Coombes, he needs to play in European games, which is always a tall order with Leinster because they have so much depth inn the backrow.
"Doing it in the PRO 14 is different to doing it in Europe and I think if you end up starting for Leinster in those European games, then the step up becomes a little bit easier, and he grabs the attention of selectors.
"He's a fantastic player."
6 March 2021; Robert Baloucoune of Ulster is tackled by Scott Penny and Rhys Ruddock of Leinster during the Guinness PRO14 match between Ulster and Leinster at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast. Photo by John Dickson/SportsfileRobert Baloucoune
It's been a tough year for the Enniskillen flier. A major hamstring tear had kept him on the sidelines until just over a week ago, but making his first start of the season on Saturday he showed no signs of rust, scoring Ulster's second try of the evening, before seeing a stunning second half try ruled out for crossing in the build up. Regardless, Quinny thinks he's the real deal...
"He's an incredible athlete. He was out injured for a while but he's one of these guys again where you think he has that bit of X-factor.
"He has that special ability. He's big, he's athletic, he's quick. It's about getting a run of games for him and finishing off the season well for Ulster.
"It was incredibly disappointing for them, it just shows the depth Leinster have that they were able to bring the other night, and no panic when they were down to 13 men and 12-3 behind.
"Ulster are in the building process to get to that level, and Leinster have it.
"But every time Baloucoune gets the ball he excites, and hopefully he's someone that can come through and have a big impact for Ireland. I think he has, I'd be really excited about him as a player."
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