Ireland coach Joe Schmidt happy to have selection 'headache'
Thursday 17 September 2015 18:01, UK
Ireland coach Joe Schmidt admits he had a hard time picking his starting line-up to face Canada but says it is a "headache" he is more than happy to have.
Ireland have selected a strong starting line-up for the game in Cardiff on Saturday with centre Robbie Henshaw, who has a hamstring injury, and second row Devin Toner the two biggest names to miss out.
The most competitive positions in a relatively settled Ireland team are in the second row, where Iain Henderson and Toner are battling to partner Paul O'Connell, and the wings where Dave Kearney and Keith Earls have gotten the nod over Tommy Bowe and Simon Zebo with Ulster's Andrew Trimble omitted from the World Cup squad altogether.
Schmidt admits the process of whittling his squad down to 31 and then deciding which 15 will take the pitch for the opener has been a difficult process but it is a problem he is happy to have.
"I think going back two years, Dave Kearney has been exceptional for us," Schmidt said. "I know Andrew Trimble was as well and both of them were outstanding and took their opportunities.
"Unfortunately for Andrew, he was right in the frame for us and picked up a second injury. He has bounced back from that but the time-frame was very tight.
"For Dave, he was playing and playing very well so he deserves an opportunity.
"Iain Henderson, likewise, has played very, very well. At the same you go back over the last two seasons and Devin Toner has done a fantastic job for us as well. I know there is going to be a real contest around the second row.
"Hopefully everyone stays sound and keeps those headaches at the forefront of our thinking."
With Henshaw still recovering from his hamstring injury, Schmidt has turned to the versatile Luke Fitzgerald to fill the void at inside centre.
Fitzgerald has seen very limited action in that position for Ireland but played extensively there for Schmidt when he coached him at Leinster and the Ireland coach is confident he can excel in the role.
Schmidt said: "It's ironic. This time four years ago, he was starting at 12 for Leinster. So he has had a fair bit of game time for me at 12.
"We have a lot of confidence in him playing 12 or 13. Obviously, he has already played 13 for us in the pre-World Cup Test matches.
"We felt he did pretty well there and he has earned himself another opportunity."
