Ireland’s upcoming tour of South Africa will give Joe Schmidt an opportunity to build towards the 2019 World Cup, according to Donal Lenihan.
The Kiwi will take an injury-ravaged squad on a three-Test tour and with the likes of Johnny Sexton, Luke Fitzgerald, Rob and Dave Kearney, Tommy Bowe, Josh van der Flier, Peter O'Mahony, Sean O'Brien and Simon Zebo all unavailable, the odds on a first-ever win in South Africa are lengthening with each medical update.
It has allowed Guinness Pro12 winners Matt Healy and Tiernan O’Halloran, Ulster winger Craig Gilroy and Leinster’s Ian Madigan to prove their worth in a green jersey and RTÉ rugby analyst Lenihan says the make-up of the squad has shifted the goals of the three-Test tour.
“Now I think it is very much an investment in the future"
“It changes the dynamic of the tour,” he told RTÉ Sport.
“Now I think it is very much an investment in the future.
“A lot of people have been really impressed by the likes of Tiernan O’Halloran, Matt Healy, Craig Gilroy and they all get their chance now.
“It adds a little bit of excitement in terms of building towards the next World Cup in Japan. There’s now seven of the successful Connacht side which will now add buzz to proceedings.”
Former Ireland head coach Eddie O'Sullivan says that more than ever, Ireland must play a more expansive game in order to avoid the physical exchanges which the Boks thrive on.
"There’s 11 players now who have started for Ireland either in the World Cup or Six Nations Championship who are ruled out with injury, which a massive loss"
Ireland have defeated the Springboks five times since the first of 22 fixtures took place between the teams in 1906, but after seven attempts, are yet to taste victory on South African soil.
On their last visit in 2004 South Africa won 26-17 in Newlands and Lenihan says that even with a full-strength squad, Ireland would find it difficult to get the upper hand against the team currently ranked second in the world.
“It’s a very demanding tour at the best of times," he said.
“If you exclude Paul O’Connell, who is retired, there’s 11 other players now who have started for Ireland either in the World Cup or Six Nations Championship who are ruled out with injury, which a massive loss.
“You are going to a place which is one of the most intimidating international countries in the world, which will be hugely demanding.”
Ireland will take on the South Africa in Cape Town on 11 June, followed a week later by game two at altitude in Johannesburg before concluding the tour in Port Elizabeth.
