Former Leinster and Connacht fly-half Andy Dunne believes that Jordan Larmour could transition in playing as a centre, and has compared his potential development to that of Ireland legend Gordon Darcy.
Having made his debut coming off the bench to play on the wing during Ireland's 56-19 victory over Italy at the weekend, the Leinster prospect was asked what position he prefers to play.
While most people have earmarked him as the successor to Rob Kearney's fullback thrown, Larmour admitted he actually prefers to play as a centre or on the wing, an idea Dunne was a fan of.
"I tend to agree with Jordan. I think the way the game has developed, in terms of close quarters, such a lack of space, if a guy with that footwork...he had one unbelievable piece of play where left an Italian guy fall over with his footwork and then accelerated away from two others. In close quarters we probably only have one or two who can do that, Carbery is another one".
"Guys playing in a central role who can attack space or create space are invaluable. The All Blacks do that all the time, they play guys out of position in more central roles to create space further out wide. So longer term I think it's really worth considering, can a guy like that move a bit more central, and we'd be more dynamic as a result".
Over the years a dependence on size and physicality has come into the game, with Dunne noting the advent of the defensive coach being one of the reasons for the lack of space in the modern game, and an overall acceptance to copy what works for the sides winning championships.
"When South Africa won the World Cup in 2007 it was bad news because it was awful stuff. Six or seven guys above 6'5 in the pack just running into brick walls all day. Naturally teams are going to try emulate success, so the 2007 World Cup was bad news for everyone".
According to Dunne the way the game is played swings in cycles, and when the emphasis goes too far in one direction, the opposite approach is often the answer.
While Larmour may not be 6'4 and 17 stone, as is the case with many centres starting in the Six Nations, he has similar skills and attributes of a former Irish centre that could see him excel in the 12 or 13 jersey.
"Gordon Darcy in 1998 was a fullback and a winger, and eventually Gary Ella(then Leinster head coach) moved him into 12 and in his first Six Nations he tore it up because in that central role we suddenly had a team that could create space in the kind of close quarters, high traffic zone, and Darcy's footwork was what did it".
"Much like that with Larmour, I'd say with time, maybe a bit more maturity, he could convert in there as well".
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