Stephen Ferris believes there are a number of positions up for grabs when Ireland take on New Zealand in Chicago next week, and says an in-form team selection by Andy Farrell would have greater Ulster representation than in the recent past.
With 22 of Farrell's squad for the mouth-watering clash with the All Blacks coming from Leinster, their comprehensive defeat to Munster at Croke Park has led to many calling for the head coach to select his match-day 23 based on form rather than reputation.
Leinster have struggled in large portions of their opening four games of the BKT URC, with a whole host of their star player integrating back into the fold.
As well as Munster’s eye-catching start to the campaign, Ulster too have made a 100% start.
A bonus-point win in Durban over the Sharks made it three wins from three and has raised the claims for their travelling quartet – Iain Henderson, Nick Timoney, Jacob Stockdale and Stuart McCloskey – to see game time at Soldier Field.
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Excluding Ireland’s summer internationals during the British and Irish Lions tour, the last competitive team selection saw 11 Leinster players start in Rome for the Six Nations finale, as well as two each from Connacht and Munster.
Ferris, who won 35 caps for his country before injury forced him to call it a day in 2012, sees his province having much stronger claims to starting positions this time around.
"If you are picking an Irish team at the minute on form, there is not going to be 11 starting Leinster players," he told 2fm’s Game On.
"Stuart McCloskey is without a shadow of a doubt the best 12 this season, so he is going to start at 12.
"You are going to have Jacob Stockdale either starting at full-back or on the wing because he has been in scintillating form. You could argue a case as well for Mikey Lowry, but obviously he’s not in the squad.
"In the back row, Nick Timoney has been exceptional. Has he been better than the other backrows that are on the plane? There is a strong argument for it.
"The Ulster captain Iain Henderson has been pretty consistent as well.
"There are four or five positions that are up for grabs, but I think Andy Farrell will turn to experience, lads that have been there and done it. Lads that are feeling fresh.
"That’s why he gets paid the big bucks. He knows the team, he understands their mentality and how to get the best out of them and that’s why the players rave about him."
Follow a live blog on Munster v Connacht in the URC on Saturday from 7.45pm on the RTÉ News App and on rte.ie/sport. Listen to live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1 Extra
