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Three players with the most to gain against England

Below we have picked 3 players who we think can force their way into the starting line-up for Ire...



Three players with the most to...
Rugby

Three players with the most to gain against England

Below we have picked 3 players who we think can force their way into the starting line-up for Ireland's big World Cup games if they manage to put in a big performance in Twickenham today. Have a look and let us know what you think!

Dave Kearney

26-year-old Kearney is possibly the one with the least to lose and most to gain as Joe Schmidt gives him the nod on that uber-competitive left wing spot. His inclusion in the final 31-man squad is something of a surprise but his ability play across the back three saw him edge out fan favorite Andrew Trimble.

Playing in Twickenham against a strong English side and under pressure from the likes of Earls, Fitzgerald and Zebo for a starting sport, surely Schmidt and the Irish coaching staff will see this is an ideal test-run for Kearney's ability to perform on the biggest stage.

Like his brother, he has always been a reliable player when he puts on the green jersey, but will we see any attacking magic that will push him to the front of the queue for selection? 

Simon Zebo

Another contender for the left wing spot but he lines out at fullback today. Zebo had a nervous wait before it was confirmed he was a part of the travelling Irish squad, but now that he is on the plane, this is the perfect opportunity to nail down a place in the match day squad.

A forerunner for the left wing starting spot, his selection at 15 suggests that Schmidt will be looking to the Cork man to cover full back throughout the tournament should anything happen to Rob Kearney.

A strong performance here and Zebo will surely nail down a place in the matchday 23, whether that is a starting spot wearing 11 or as cover for 15 remains to be seen.

 

Devin Toner

The 6'10 former Castleknock schoolboy has been one of the constants of this Irish team under Joe Schmidt, but all of a sudden he is under serious pressure from Iain Henderson, who's displays in these Warm-Up games have been nothing short of phenomenal.

Toner may not be as abrasive and impactful in the loose as the Ulster lock, but what he brings to this Irish team is invaluable. His set-play ability is the corner stone of which Ireland build their attacks and he is always improving in his perceived weaknesses of carrying in the loose.

The number 4 grows in stature every time he pulls on the Irish jersey and he will be going out today to play with the quite efficiency he always does to make his own for the World Cup. Lets not forget to mention how important he can be when it comes to putting attacking line-outs under pressure;

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