Bernard Jackman says he hopes Peter O'Mahony will extend his career by another season with both Munster and Ireland, however he believes the Ireland captain and multiple other senior players should be rested by Andy Farrell this summer.
O'Mahony is due to come to a decision about his future in the next two weeks, with the 34-year-old admitting last Saturday's Six Nations finale against Scotland could well have been his final game for his country.
While his fellow 34-year-old Conor Murray is believed to have agreed a new deal with Munster and the IRFU, O'Mahony is still deciding on his plans for next season.
The flanker's situation was discussed on the RTÉ Rugby podcast, before attention turned to this summer's Test series against the Springboks.
Ireland are due to travel to South Africa this summer to take on the world champions in a two-Test series, and Jackman believes it's the ideal opportunity to rest O'Mahony, Murray and other seasoned veterans.
"I have no issue with Pete [O'Mahony] or Conor [Murray] being in the Ireland squad next year if they're better than what we have," Jackman told the podcast.
"But, I do think a summer tour on the back of a World Cup year and a Six Nations where they’ve been heavily involved is maybe an opportunity to test the next level down."
The RTÉ analyst and former Grenoble and Dragons coach suggested head coach Andy Farrell should take the opportunity this summer to expand his depth chart around the pitch.
Should Ireland give some of their older players a rest for the summer tour of South Africa? ☘️🇿🇦@bernardjackman and @MurphyJohne believe everyone would benefit in the long run.
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) March 20, 2024
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"I wouldn't be bringing him [O’Mahony], Conor [Murray], I would think about not bringing Tadhg [Furlong], I would think about not bringing Bundee [Aki].
"Four or five players, I would just rest up and think about the next year.
"Take Tadhg Furlong for example. Tadhg’s form has been good. I’m talking about resting him rather than dropping him, and the same with the others.
"Bundee Aki’s form is brilliant but I’m talking about minding him so that he is fresh, fit and ready to perform for Connacht and Ireland.
"Tadhg’s position; Oli Jager is now available to us, he’s done well for Munster. Finlay Bealham, he’s 32 so hasn’t got 10 years left, but wouldn't it be a great boost for him to be our starting tighthead against the Boks, and let him go, and for Jager to get significant time, so that next year we have three very good tightheads that are proven at international level.
"This is the year, maybe, going to South Africa, even though it’s a chance to win a Test series in South Africa, I just don't know if the risk is worth what’s ahead of them next years and the year after."
Jackman was joined by former Munster wing Johne Murphy on the RTÉ Rugby podcast, and the Naas head coach cited Jamie Osborne of Leinster as a player who would benefit from seeing gametime this summer.
"Bundee Aki is one of the best, or our most in-form player, and has been for the last nine months, but if you give him an extended break with good family time, then you give someone like Jamie Osborne (above) an opportunity, or Stuart McCloskey, these guys who have been knocking on the door, and you see what they're like," he said.
"I’m just talking about one position, but that’s what can be done.
"It would be a good time to freshen things up and go at it again."
Farrell has previously rested big name players for summer Tests, leaving Johnny Sexton, Cian Healy and Keith Earls all out of his sqaud for the 2021 summer series, albeit in a Lions year.
Aki turns 34-years-old in April, while Murray is 35 next month, and Murphy believes a summer break could potentially be the difference between them making it to the next World Cup or not.
"There’s an opportunity to give guys an extensive break after a long, long season. Particularly if teams do go deep in Europe or the URC, you can give them an extended six-week break, completely refresh their bodies and their minds more importantly.
"They can have a big six-week pre-season where they’re managed correctly back home within their provinces, that could see guys play another year or two after, or get them to a World Cup in three years' time.
"Those guys in their early 30s, if they were looked after now, does that get them to 2027? That’s what they have to decide, but I do think it’s a great opportunity," he added.
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