Joe Schmidt excited by Ireland lock James Ryan's potential ahead of Six Nations debut
"It's a position we don't have huge depth in, and we've given James an opportunity. We're really looking forward to seeing what he delivers on Saturday"
Thursday 1 February 2018 17:34, UK
Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt is excited to see how James Ryan performs when the inexperienced Leinster lock makes his Six Nations debut against France on Saturday.
Schmidt has selected the 21-year-old Ryan over the experience of 53-cap Devin Toner in Paris but the Kiwi coach believes now is the perfect opportunity to test his credentials with the battle for positions increasing as the countdown to next year's World Cup in Japan continues.
Ryan, with four caps to his name, will partner Ian Henderson at the Stade de France and Schmidt thinks the encounter against an out of sorts France is the ideal chance for his coaching staff to analyse the player in greater depth.
"Well one of the reasons he's in the team is so we can find out," Schmidt said at the pre-match press conference about the former Ireland U20s captain
"We want to be able to keep building in that position. We felt he went really well against Montpellier and we are looking forward to seeing what he will deliver."
"It's a position we don't have huge depth in, and we've given James an opportunity. We're really looking forward to seeing what he delivers on Saturday."
Schmidt, who has also handed Six Nations debuts to Bundee Aki and Jacob Stockdale, is confident Nigel Owens will police the encounter after the fixture was marred by a number of questionable hits by France in the 2016 Six Nations, when Ireland lost 10-9 in Paris.
Influential fly-half Johnny Sexton was the subject of a number of the incidents but Schmidt does not envisage a repeat and pointed to France coach Jacques Brunel and the manner his previous sides have played.
Schmidt said: "It hasn't been part of the game in the teams I've seen Jacques coach in the past. So I'd hope that it's not.
"I think the officials are trying really hard to protect all 30 people on the pitch. I think it's been ramped up since we were involved two years ago. It's not the same referee this time.
"We hope with the referee we've got that it won't even enter into the fray."
