Jacob Stockdale and Jordan Larmour will push each other hard for a place in Andy Farrell's starting lineup, according to Brian O'Driscoll.
The former Irish captain joined Joe Molloy on Monday's Off The Ball to dissect Leinster's 28-10 victory over Ulster in the PRO 14 on Saturday.
Separated in age by one year, O'Driscoll feels both players have the experience to cement a place in Farrell's team, however, whoever seizes their opportunity in the coming months at the number 15 position will thrive with the international set-up.
"It's between Stockdale and Larmour at the moment. I think they're the two guys that can clearly play [at] 15. [James] Lowe is going to get game-time. I don't know if he's going to get put in immediately to the setup on the basis of being qualified," O'Driscoll said.
Stockdale v Larmour
23 June 2018; Jacob Stockdale of Ireland is tackled by Reece Hodge of Australia during the 2018 Mitsubishi Estate Ireland Series 3rd Test match between Australia and Ireland at Allianz Stadium in Sydney, Australia. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile"Sometimes that message isn't the one coaches like getting across. [If] there is a new guy in the squad, you have got to earn the right to play internationally."
Stockdale and Larmour have the ability to play on the wing or at fullback and O'Driscoll was full of praise for the strides each has made to date. At such a young stage of their careers, there is every chance Stockdale and Larmour will continue to improve.
O'Driscoll identified the areas that the Ulster winger must improve in order to take the next steps and nail down an international spot while being keen to point out the growth he has taken in recent years.
Brian O'Driscoll
"Sometimes I wonder does he realise the power that he punches, that he packs when he's accelerating into contact. Stockdale has to learn he's got another five or ten per cent in those collision zones."
"A player like Jacob Stockdale is going to rise to the occasion be it on the wing or at 15. He's a couple of years older and he's in the position to take on a bit more pressure."
12 October 2019; Jordan Larmour of Ireland during the 2019 Rugby World Cup Pool A match between Ireland and Samoa at the Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium in Fukuoka, Japan. Photo by Brendan Moran/SportsfileJordan Larmour
In Larmour's case, the key question will be whether or not the Leinster man will be afforded the opportunity to play at fullback in the coming weeks.
Leinster will play Munster on Friday night in the PRO 14 semi-final and O'Driscoll questioned whether Larmour will play in that position or be moved to the wing where he is just as comfortable.
"I think at the moment a lot will be judged on this weekends performance for Larmour at 15 if he gets it. I have a sneaky suspicion that he might go with Rob Carney at 15 this weekend and Larmour on the wing," O'Driscoll continued.
"If you play Larmour at 15 I don't know what winger you put on. I think you go with your best players, your most experienced players and those who have calm heads."
Both players adaptability on the rugby field is positive for their coaching staff at their respective provinces and provides a welcome headache for Farrell when it comes to choosing a squad for the upcoming rescheduled Six Nations ties with France and Italy.
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