Andy Farrell will need to get his best players on the pitch for France, which means playing Garry Ringrose at 14 in place of the injured Mack Hansen, according to Ireland legend Brian O'Driscoll.
The Ireland head coach has a few selection headaches ahead of next week's Six Nations team announcement. The most notable comes at outside back, as two of his key World Cup stars in James Lowe and Mack Hansen have suffered injuries leading up to the Championship.
While Lowe is set to be back in Leinster training and therefore in contention for Ireland soon, Hansen has been ruled out of the Six Nations entirely. Leinster's Jimmy O'Brien, who has covered for Ireland in the back three in the past, has also been ruled out through injury.
Added to these injury concerns is the fact that Keith Earls has also retired. This means Farrell may have to revert to some out of the box selections for their Championship opener against France in February.
🗣️ 'He hasn't been as good as he was last season...'
Brian O'Driscoll runs through the options at Andy Farrell's disposal to come in for the injured Mack Hansen. | ☘️
For the full analysis, become a member ➡️ https://t.co/0TmZZXPK6l@VodafoneIreland | #TeamOfUs pic.twitter.com/HLSvLEk52p
— Off The Ball (@offtheball) January 11, 2024
Ringrose to wing it for Ireland
Speaking on Off The Ball, Irish legend Brian O'Driscoll offered a potential solution for the missing winger, which also means getting the best players on the pitch.
"Maybe you play [Garry] Ringrose on the wing," O'Driscoll said. "I think you play your best team. Right now, with a gun to my head, I would say you have to play Bundee [Aki]. You have to!
"He's just been named Rugby Writers Player of the Year, nominated for World Player of the Year, you can't not play that. So, he's going to be playing 12.
"Robbie Henshaw is too good of a player to leave out. Ringrose is really the only one that properly plays on the wing, has win experience. So, I think it's a case of getting your best players playing.
"For me, right now, if you were selecting a team I think that would be the three quarter line that you would go with."
