Brian O’Driscoll left ‘confused’ by crucial Ireland selection as Simon Easterby explains ‘tough decision’
Brian O'Driscoll and Alan Quinlan have weighed in on Simon Easterby's selection in the centres.
Ex-Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll has expressed his confusion with Simon Easterby’s decision to select Robbie Henshaw at outside centre against Scotland.
Easterby made just two changes to his starting XV from the team that defeated England in round one with Peter O’Mahony replacing Ryan Baird on the side of the scrum while Garry Ringrose and Henshaw swap roles as the former drops to the bench.
It’s the backline change that has left the Irish legend puzzled as he was looking forward to a positional head-to-head between two potential British and Irish Lions.
Henshaw over Ringrose
That is of course Huw Jones v Ringrose, with O’Driscoll sharing his opinion on the change on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.
“I must admit I’m a little confused about the Ringrose omission this weekend. We’re fortunate to have 3 great centres to choose from (plus Ozbourne in the wait room) but was relishing the match-up between him and Huw Jones,” he wrote.
The legendary centre’s take is one that was shared by many fans who expressed their shock in the decision.
“Baffling decision by Easterby. Huw Jones’ 13 jersey to lose for the Lions now,” one reply to O’Driscoll’s post read.
Another added: “Must admit I’m confused too. Either there’s something going on behind the scenes that we don’t know about or the SE is doubling down on the x factor bench?”
Meanwhile, fellow former Ireland international Alan Quinlan also weighed in on the decision which he too found to be surprising.
“There is very little between the three of them who have been at a very high standard for many years, Aki, Henshaw and Ringrose,” he said on Off the Ball Sport.
“But Henshaw has shown over the years that he can play 13 very effectively for Leinster and Ireland. In my opinion, not to the same level as Garry Ringrose, so I was never a huge fan of playing Robbie Henshaw at 13.”
He added: “But he never lets you down Henshaw, he is quality. The selection does surprise given the evasiveness and quality of Huw Jones.”
Easterby’s explanation
Meanwhile, Ireland interim head coach Easterby explained his thinking behind the ‘tough decision’ to leave Ringrose out but also how it was the ‘right decision’ for their campaign.
“We’ve got three brilliant centres in the squad who are playing really well at the moment and we felt that Ringrose was excellent last weekend in the that partnership with Bundee,” he explained.
“And Robbie came on and impacted the game but it was always our intention over the first couple of weeks to mix it up in that area as I said all three of them are playing well coming into camp, they all trained well and all contributed last weekend.
“Ringrose will cover the wing for us as well as centre which means that when he’s in the game at 60/65 minutes, the way he plays the game how much he puts into his performance, it’s probably an opportunity for him to come and be a bit fresher later in the game just like Robbie did.
“From that respect, it’s a tough decision leaving Ringrose out but the right decision in terms of sharing the load between the three of them with Ringrose obviously playing the full 80 last week whereas Bundee came off earlier.”
