Six Nations: Paul Wallace believes Joe Schmidt delighted with Ireland's strength in depth

The concentrated strength of talent in the Irish squad is a credit to the work Joe Schmidt has done for Ireland, says Paul Wallace.

On Thursday, Schmidt announced the squad from which the Six Nations party and the Wolfhounds will be selected.

According to Sky Sports pundit Wallace, the sheer size of the 46-strong squad is what will give Ireland a lot of hope going into the Six Nations.

In Robbie Henshaw Ireland has someone who is growing into the role of outside centre and is physically better suited to it than Brian O'Driscoll was.

“The most impressive aspect of this squad is the depth that has been created by Joe Schmidt and his coaching team,” said Wallace.

“Even though there are injuries to a few players there is enough talent to cope in this Six Nations and beyond.

"With the way the reserves feature in a game in the modern era you want to have like-for-like replacements where you can, and I think Schmidt will be happy with the numbers he has in crucial positions.”

The former British and Irish Lion played tighthead prop for Ireland, and it is in this position that he feels Schmidt will be most pleased.

"Compared to Irish squads of old, one particular aspect that is pleasing to see is the strength in depth at tighthead prop," he added.

“Irish sides since the 90s have often been found wanting in that regard, but to see Mike Ross, Marty Moore and Nathan White all in the squad is a very pleasing position for Ireland to be in.

"Mike Ross is the incumbent No 3, but just look at the way Marty Moore played in the Champions Cup game against Castres over the weekend - he was absolutely immense. Add to that the fact that Nathan White would, in my opinion, have been challenging Ross pretty closely for that Ireland jersey were it not for his injury and it's a rich position for Joe Schmidt to be in."

Stature

It is the stature offered by these players that will suit a rejuvenated emphasis from referees for legal scrum feeds, says Wallace.

"There is renewed impetus from referees to ensure that the ball is fed into the scrum straight," he explained. "That has brought with it the added importance of the scrummaging from the tighthead prop – a throwback to the way it used to be.

"What Marty Moore has going for him is his build. With hookers now having to strike on their own feed - rather than what we've had in recent times which is a scenario where the scrum-half feeds almost into the second row - the scrums will naturally set a bit higher, which gives shorter tightheads a slight advantage in being able to get underneath their opposite number and lock the scrum on their own feed."

It is not just in the forwards where Schmidt has talent at his disposal, the former Leinster prop feels. In the backs there are enough players to help Ireland successfully move into a new era – one without Ireland great Brian O’Driscoll.

"Hopefully this is the year that we move on from mourning the loss of Brian O'Driscoll. He was a great player, there's no doubt, but for me he wasn't his vintage best in the final two seasons, and I think Tommy Bowe was the best attacking threat Ireland have had over the past few seasons.

"In Robbie Henshaw, Ireland has someone who is growing into the role of outside centre and is physically better suited to it than Brian was. His creativity is getting better and his offload game has come along nicely.

"I really hope Ireland allows him to develop at outside centre because I think the freedom of space is a good fit for his style."

Quality

Wallace believes Ireland now need to focus on finding a settled midfield partner for Henshaw.

"Jared Payne is a full-back. He's right up there with Rob Kearney and should stick to that position rather than playing in a role that's less natural to him," Wallace added.

“I haven't seen him nearly as effective in international rugby in the midfield as he is from full-back.

"I would like to see Ian Madigan play inside centre with Henshaw outside him. Madigan's a great goal kicker which helps Ireland in Sexton's absence but, even when Sexton is back, the combination of Sexton, Madigan and Henshaw is a very balanced one."

With Tommy Bowe the likely right wing in Schmidt’s team, there is now a big fight for the other winger jersey between a host of players – including three British and Irish Lions.

“There is plenty of quality in the left wing. Dave Kearney is playing even better rugby than he was last season while Simon Zebo had a very impressive November period," Wallace said.

“Luke Fitzgerald, Keith Earls and Craig Gilroy are all in the mix too, so it's another nod to the depth Schmidt has nurtured.

“That depth is not just good to see for the future of Ireland rugby, it also means that players in the current squad will be fighting hard for positions, and that competition is very healthy.”