Live

Repeat: OTB Breakfast

05:00 AM-07:00 AM

Repeat: OTB Breakfast
Advertisement
Rugby

Eddie O'Sullivan highlights the "big shock" from Schmidt's changes for the second South Africa test

Eddie O'Sullivan believes there is a risk element to the team Joe Schmidt has named for the secon...



Eddie O'Sullivan highlight...
Rugby

Eddie O'Sullivan highlights the "big shock" from Schmidt's changes for the second South Africa test

Eddie O'Sullivan believes there is a risk element to the team Joe Schmidt has named for the second test in South Africa.

The Ireland head coach made five changes to the team that beat the Springboks on Saturday with South African-born lock Quinn Roux among those included. 

Rhys Ruddock, Tadhg Furlong, Stuart Olding and Craig Gilroy have also been drafted in.

"The changes he's making, there's a risk element in them. A couple of them jump out. Stuart Olding is not a major change because himself and Luke Marshall, there's very little between them," Eddie told Off The Ball.  

"I think the risk element is that Craig Gilroy is a very good attacker with the ball but he has been found out defensively at times and I'm surprised because Joe Schmidt puts so much emphasis on good defence. So that for me is an interesting call.

"In the pack, I think it's a big one for Furlong. There's a lot made about his impact on the game last week but that stage it was against the second string loosehead for South Africa. I think he's going to be really tested this weekend so there's a risk element in that.

"Probably the big shock was Quinn Roux coming in and [Ultan] Dillane is probably licking his wounds a little bit to be still sitting on the bench."

Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!

Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.


Read more about

Rugby