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Alan Quinlan on why Ireland need to be cautious with Larmour vs Italy

After making such a telling impact for Leinster in what is his formative first full season at pro...



Alan Quinlan on why Ireland ne...
Other Sports

Alan Quinlan on why Ireland need to be cautious with Larmour vs Italy

After making such a telling impact for Leinster in what is his formative first full season at provincial level, many want to see Jordan Larmour thrust straight into the Ireland team to face Italy in the Six Nations on Saturday.

The likelihood is the talented wing and full back will be used as an impact sub from the bench as Joe Schmidt looks to secure Ireland's second win from two.

Alan Quinlan joined Eoin on OTB AM to look ahead to the game and he preached patience when it comes to Larmour, who is just 20 years old. 

"We need to be a little bit cautious with his role here because he could sink or swim very quickly," said Quinny.

"Now, he has incredible talent and like the way I think Garry Ringrose was managed a few years ago, there was a lot of pressure to push him in to the team and I think Joe managed that transition very well and he'll do the same with Larmour here."

He added that "there's less forgiveness in international rugby".

Meanwhile, the former Ireland and Munster back-row also feels Italy, especially under Conor O'Shea, could well prove awkward opponents for Ireland. 

"They'll fancy their chances a little bit more against Ireland at the weekend because I think Conor O'Shea's influence and because they probably wouldn't fear Ireland as much. There'll be a bit of a confidence there that they can get in Ireland's faces a little bit more than the English I would suspect," said Quinlan. 

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