Former Ireland out-half Tony Ward believes that another loss for Ireland in next Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash with England could actually benefit Irish rugby in the long term.
Ward believes that Ireland coach Joe Schmidt should make changes for the Twickenham clash but in reality, knows that it won’t happen such are the pressures of modern rugby.
But the RTÉ Sport rugby analyst thinks that Schmidt will be forced to make the dramatic changes for the final two games should Ireland lose against England, a scenario that would ensure that this year’s championship hopes are well and truly over.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio 1’s Saurday Sport, Ward explained the methods of his perceived madness: “I could give you an argument that it would actually be good for Irish rugby if we lost in Twickenham next weekend.
“Because then the last two games would surely have to be used to experiment in how we play the game and the players that we bring in.”
And the former Ireland international is calling for players like Ulster centre Stuart McCloskey to be included, having proved his form at every level for his club.
And while Ward admits that, as a critic, he has a responsibility to make sure that his suggestions are measured, he believes that a back-line reshuffle can easily accommodate the marauding Ulster man.
“We’ve lost world class players, there’s no doubt,” added Ward. “As we had one of the best centre partnerships in world rugby in Gordon (D’Arcy) and Brian (O’Driscoll), but we do have options.
“In the middle of the field, I think Stuart McCloskey has earned the right to a first cap and I would throw him in at Twickenham. I’d throw him in against England because he has proved that he’s up to that at Pro12 level, at European level.
And that particular reshuffle would see stalwart full-back Rob Kearney dropped to accommodate McCloskey in the centre, pushing Jared Payne to the number 15 role.
Ward added: “Rob (Kearney) is not playing well enough at the moment and I think he is the best full back who has ever played for Ireland. He knows himself he is not playing anywhere close to his best form so I think Rob is under pressure.
“If he is fit, no question, I would have Jared Payne full-back, Robbie Henshaw at 13, Stuart McCloskey at 12.
"It’s easy to be a critic on the outside and to say the ideal team that you want, so we have to be measured in what we suggest. But I think it is possible to put a team out against England with experimentation, limited, and still get that result.
"But I do think that he (Schmidt) is under pressure from the IRFU, in terms of money going forward, which is the way the game operates now, that’s the reality.
"So we won’t see the changes at Twickenham but I’d love Joe to prove me wrong.”
And Ward believes that other players need to be tested at the highest level and is excited to see if Connacht winger Matt Healy can make the next level.
“I’m not shouting my mouth off for no reason. I look at Matt Healy and I see a player with real gas.
“Is he up to it? I don’t know, but how are we going to find out if we don’t try these guys.
“And my counter argument is that because we don’t have the resources of England, we have got to take risks with these players and if they are good enough, in my view, they’re old enough.”
