Jamie Heaslip and Keith Wood joined Off The Ball for Wednesday Night Rugby where he spoke about the Irish style of play and back row balance.
Heaslip thinks he saw glimpses of an evolving style of play during the early stages of this year's aborted Six Nations.
"In the Six Nations, they were creating a two-sided attack so they were splitting the field," observed the former Lions number eight.
However, Heaslip was worried when they stepped away from these tactics during the tournament.
"They showed that [expansive style], then they pulled back so I was excited, and then I got concerned."
There is so much discourse about an evolving style of play but Heaslip wonders if the personnel are in the right places on the pitch to allow a change.
"I don't know, that when we have picked the players we picked, if we have the ability to play an expansive game," he wondered.
"That's the game we need to play because I don't feel we can get into an arm-wrestle. That's what I think with Munster, are they able to play the game they want to play with the players they are picking?"
Heaslip was speaking to OTB to highlight Focus Ireland's Shine a Light Night 2020 on October 16th – giving one night to help raise much needed funds for vital homelessness services. The business community can take part by hosting a virtual sleep-out in their own homes, gardens and safe private spaces in line with government restrictions surrounding Covid-19.
This year they are aiming to raise €1.3 million on Shine a Light Night, to help the 8,728 people currently homeless in Ireland.
To sign up or for more information, visit shinealight.focusireland.ie
Ireland Selection
"That's why when it comes to Ireland selection, it's going to be really interesting who he picks for that Ireland squad," said the former Ireland captain.
"There is a lot of new blood there that has not been capped that is showing a lot of promise from all of the provinces and I think now is the window to do it.
"You are coming into the two-year mark from a World Cup and now is potentially the right time to cull the squad to a certain degree.
"Then start to bring that talent through so they have 10, 15, 20 caps [come the World Cup]"
When asked about what players have the talent to play an expansive game, Heaslip confessed to some parochial opinions.
"To be honest I haven't thought about it much beyond a Leinster point of view," he admitted
"So I'm going to get caned for that [...] but I'd like to see James Lowe get picked.
"I'd like to see Caelan Doris get a bit more game time, although the back row in general across the island we have an abundance of talent so we're kind of okay on that front.
"Just sharing it around is what we really need to see [...] In the second row, Ryan Baird I think needs to get capped.
However, the former Leinster back row is fully aware of some issues with Ireland's depth chart.
"In certain positions, there is a step-change between where we are and everyone else is at," he reasoned.
"So from Murray to everyone else, there is a big gap and from Sexton to everyone else, there is a big gap.
"You could probably say the same about Healy and Kilcoyne and the rest and Porter and Furlong and the rest.
"Those are a worry, but there is plenty of talent coming through in other positions and I'd like to see a change-up."
Heaslip first choice back row
The lack of change in selection is clearly a bone of contention for Heaslip, who believes the talent is there to be competitive.
"If we pick the right back row, we will have one that is very strong relative to other international back-rows.
"However, I just hope we don't go the route of picking what we always did."
So Heaslip somewhat reluctantly put on his selector's blazer and picked his preferred back-row combination.
"Ideal back row, if Leavy is back I start him all day, although that is a bit harsh on Will Connors or Josh Van der Flier. I really like Jack O'Donoghue, he's just coming into his element more and more [...] I'd like to see him get more game time.
"Then I would put Caelin Doris at eight and CJ Stander at six."
Would that take on any back row in the world? Jamie thinks so.
"We would be in a very good position, obviously tactics have to come into it but we would be in a very good place."
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