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Bernard Jackman: 'No obvious replacement' for Keenan at full-back

Bernard Jackman (r) believes it's between Ciarán Frawley and Jack Crowley to start at full-back v Wales
Bernard Jackman (r) believes it's between Ciarán Frawley and Jack Crowley to start at full-back v Wales

With Hugo Keenan looking like a major doubt for Ireland's Guinness Six Nations clash with Wales next week, it leaves Andy Farrell with a slight selection dilemma.

The Leinster full-back has owned the Irish 15 jersey in recent seasons. Since the start of the 2021 Six Nations, he's started 33 of the team's last 36 games in that position.

In that time, only Mike Lowry and Jimmy O'Brien have worn the 15 jersey for Ireland in a Test match, but neither are in the current squad. O'Brien is out for the championship with a neck injury, while the other obvious full-back candidate, Mack Hansen, is sidelined with a shoulder issue.

While there's no obvious frontrunner for the 15 shirt next week against Wales, there are plenty of contenders.

Ciarán Frawley has often been used to cover full-back for Leinster in Keenan's absence, while Jack Crowley has also done so for Munster, which would open up one of Harry Byrne or Frawley to play at out-half.

Additionally, Calvin Nash, Jacob Stockdale and Jordan Larmour all have some experience of the position, with Ireland forward Caelan Doris naming the latter two as candidates, alongside Frawley earlier today.

Speaking on the RTÉ Rugby podcast, Bernard Jackman and Johne Murphy were split in their opinions, with Jackman leaning towards Crowley moving to full-back, giving Byrne getting an opportunity to start at 10.

"He could move Jack Crowley back to 15 and play with Harry Byrne [at 10], just giving Harry another opportunity, Harry played off the bench at the weekend," Jackman said.

While Jackman believes Crowley is still the long-term answer at out-half, he added that testing him out in the backfield could benefit Ireland further down the line.

He said: "Jack's been class, he's clearly number one, but having an out-half who could play full-back mid-game [is important]. Ireland showed against France when they went 6:2 on the bench, so if we do that in the future [Crowley can play there].

"I know Crowley has done it before, but if he plays a Six Nations game at 15, that could be a string to his bow.

"I think Farrell will relish this. Hugo Keenan is really important, but he wants the team to have adversity and challenges and to step up, and they generally do.

"Hugo's been an incredibly consistent player for Ireland, and very durable, and if he is to miss a game, it will give someone else a chance. But without Mack or Jimmy O'Brien, there's no obvious replacement who will slot in there.

"I think Wales isn't a scary game for us. Everybody is in such good form that it would be great to see Harry Byrne get 60 minutes at 10, and Crowley play at full-back. Either Crowley or Frawley at full-back, for me."

Murphy, meanwhile, voted for Frawley at full-back.

"I think Ciarán Frawley could slot in there, he's fitted in there for Leinster at times when they've rotated when Keenan (above) has been away during the Christmas period," the former Munster wing said.

"You're not shuffling the deck too much. Jack Crowley is going well, he's showed a few added strings to is bow at the weekend in terms of his running game, how flat he can play to the line, his offloading and physicality, so you just want to give him a bit more game time, and leave that 10 axis, solidify it."

And whoever does get the opportunity to play against the Welsh, Murphy says they have a big task replacing Keenan.

"I think they probably like that extra distributor in the back, and organising on the blindside, which Hugo Keenan does a huge amount of," he said.

"His work-rate from an overall backfield perspective is absolutely ridiculous.

"He [Keenan] will be a loss, but they'll have find and figure out that when they are missing, they're down to probably their fourth choice option at 15 - with Mack Hansen and Jimmy O'Brien out."

Listen to the RTÉ Rugby podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

Watch a URC double-header, Leinster v Benetton (3pm) and Cardiff v Connacht (5.15pm) on Saturday from 2.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player

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