How the security-first approach was abandoned

Andy Farrell has thrown a bunch of newbies into the backfield and the message to these players is clear: start swimming.

Gus McCarthy, Cormac Izuchukwu and Sam Prendergast have been backed to step up against a Fiji team that has threats across the board. Visitors also lack physical performers. The Pacific Islanders are still a viable team these days. In the last 12 months they have beaten England, Australia and Wales.

This will be a real test for Ireland rather than the usual autumn internationals against teams like Georgia.

But Ireland head coach Farrell has backed the trio of newcomers to take on a side above Italy in the world rankings.

It was a bit of a lift for all three of them.

Prendergast made his international debut, coming on the bench for 18 minutes in the last match against Argentina. Now he gets his first start.

The 21-year-old has been in the hype for quite some time now, but it is worth noting that he has just 20 senior Leinster appearances to his name, eight of which were starts.

Meanwhile, McCarthy made even more rapid progress through the top ranks. The talented young hooker was probably the fifth-best player in her province last season.

Injuries to Dan Sheehan and Ronan Kelleher have presented new opportunities this season and McCarthy has grabbed them with both hands. Again, it is worth noting that the 21-year-old Leinster hooker has only made six senior appearances for the Blues.

Quite tall for a supposed fringe player, but McCarthy appears to have what it takes. Physically, he already looks like he has all the tools to handle this level. There have been positive comments about his acumen at set-pieces, although he is clearly a leader given that he has captained virtually every representative team he has played in.

Farrell clearly had no hesitation in taking him on against this giant Fijian pack.

“You think there’s a hierarchy and all of a sudden a few players get injured, then a kid gets an opportunity and he does really well when we take him out for a training week as a development player,” he said.

“He performed incredibly well and made our team want to keep him in the lineup in the first place.” And he deserves a chance to see what he can do too.”

Prendergast and McCarthy were outstanding players for the Ireland Under-20 team which reached the World Cup final in the summer of 2023. However, this is a whole new level.

At 24, Izuchukwu’s development is a bit behind. The Tullamore native took the scenic route to the summit, taking part in work with Kelso in Scotland and the Ireland Sevens programme.

He has been thriving since Ulster bought him a few seasons ago. The arrival of Richie Murphy as head coach midway through last season’s tumultuous campaign was another major development in his career.

One of Murphy’s first acts as Ulster manager was to place Izuchukwu on the blindside flank. He excels in this role, offering power, intelligence and speed. He fits Farrell’s mold: a back-rower.

Izuchukwu has been on Farrell’s radar for quite some time, taking part in both tours of developing Ireland while serving as an apprentice – alongside Prendergast – on the summer tour of South Africa.

Izuchukwu has been learning the ropes behind the scenes and is finally ready to take the big stage.

“I believe Izzy has been in and around the team for a while now,” Farrell noted.

“The first developing Ireland is when we first encountered his ability, his athleticism… The difference between the first round and the second was chalk and cheese. His ability, his distinctiveness, his potential at such maturity deserves a chance to show what he can do.”

It was quite a statement from Pharrell. This election is clearly a hint towards the 2027 World Cup. He clearly has a high regard for these young guys and wasn’t about to head off on his British and Irish Lions missions without giving them a look.

Most importantly, he placed experienced leaders around all three. Between Bundy Aki, Robbie Henshaw and Craig Casey, there are almost 150 Prendergast-related test experience limits.

Aki, in particular, seems ready to become Prendergast’s bodyguard in Aviva Stadiumespecially with the no doubt formidable Fijian midfielders Josua Tuisov and Waisea Nayakalevu planning some early raids through the Irish No.10 channel.

It’s a similar story for McCarthy, who will be accompanied by Andrew Porter and Finlay Bealham.

Izuchukwu will have first choice pairing in Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris to lean on in support.

Pharrell made some more bold choices. Jamie Osborne is back at fullback. Jacob Stockdale was rewarded for his superb form and skills in Ulster for the first time since his World Cup warm-up game against Samoa.

Ulster tight end Tom O’Toole is set to switch to the loose side of the scrum at some stage. Bealham didn’t have much experience when he moved into the scrum against the Georgians in November 2021, but Porter, lest we forget, went that route too and found success.

Frawley is also back on the bench and the Leinster defender will be desperate to atone for his terrible role against the All Blacks. He will be delighted to be back in the debate at Number 10 as Crawley and Prendergast have taken the lead in recent weeks.

Hugo Keenan, James Lowe, Harry Ringrose, Crowley, Jamison Gibson-Park, James Ryan and Sian Healy everyone has been given a week off as Farrell oversees next weekend’s visit of Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies.

The Ireland coach has been a bit pushy with his seemingly conservative choices of late. However, there was nothing safe about yesterday’s playing lineup.

For the new kids on the block, it’s sink or swim time.