THIS TIME LAST year, some people might have scoffed at the suggestion that James Ryan would become one of Ireland’s most important players over the next 12 months.
So it proved, though, as the Leinster lock delivered consistently superb performances for the national team to help them towards a November clean sweep, the Grand Slam, and a series success in Australia.
James Ryans don’t grow on trees but his emergence for Ireland – or those of Dan Leavy and Jordan Larmour, as other examples – is proof that things can change rapidly in this game.
Joe Schmidt was well received by Connacht fans at their game against Wasps in Athlone on Saturday. Source: James Crombie/INPHO
The ‘four-year World Cup cycle’ is a well-established trope in rugby and it’s obvious that detailed planning is a major part of Joe Schmidt and every other Test coach’s job.
And yet, even with much of his World Cup squad already set in stone 13 months out from the tournament, Schmidt is keeping his eyes open for people who could make Ireland even stronger.
Ireland’s short camp last week featured a large squad of well over 40 players, giving Schmidt scope to keep an eye on a few men who haven’t been able to break into matchday squads in the past season or so, as well as a couple of new faces.
Munster’s Irish-qualified fullback Mike Haley is now in the mix, as is Ulster’s versatile back Will Addison, who trained with Ireland in Australia.
Last week’s camp saw Connacht’s Gavin Thornbury, Denis Buckley, Niyi Adeolokun and Finlay Bealham [the last two are already capped] attending alongside regulars Bundee Aki, Kieran Marmion, Quinn Roux and Ultan Dillane.
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Thornbury’s involvement is particularly interesting and he is a fine player who is still discovering his true potential at the age of 24.
He was playing for Wanganui in the Heartland Championship as recently as 2016 following injury troubles during his time with Leinster, but he returned to Ireland and joined Connacht in April 2017 before impressing last season.
Thornbury may remain a long shot for the World Cup, but his involvement with Ireland shows that Schmidt is still willing to take a look outside his squad stalwarts.
“Absolutely, hugely,” said Schmidt when asked if there is still room for a World Cup bolter.
Thornbury had a strong campaign for Connacht last season. Source: James Crombie/INPHO
“There were guys in camp who are right in the middle of our sights but they either hadn’t been in for a while and weren’t fully fit or we wanted to get a couple of younger guys in, like a Gav Thornbury, just to find out a little bit more about Gav and just to say ‘Gav, don’t think that you’re not on the radar.’
“There’s a lot of guys on the radar because we tend to have new guys every single season and the proof is in the pudding of looking back in the last three years.
“With it being a year leading into a World Cup and the number of players who have been capped in the last three years, there’s probably less scope for it but there’s certainly scope.”
Having eight players at an Ireland camp was encouraging for Connacht, and propping pair Bealham and Buckley – so consistently good for his province – will have been pleased to be back involved.
