Live

Repeat: Off The Ball

02:00 AM-05:00 AM

Repeat: Off The Ball
Advertisement
Rugby

"He hasn't delivered, that's the reality" | Quinlan queries Jean Kleyn selection

The controversial inclusion of Jean Kleyn in Ireland's Rugby World Cup squad hasn't shown itself ...



Rugby

"He hasn't delivered, that's the reality" | Quinlan queries Jean Kleyn selection

The controversial inclusion of Jean Kleyn in Ireland's Rugby World Cup squad hasn't shown itself to be a worthwhile call by Joe Schmidt, according to Alan Quinlan. 

One of the starters in a reshuffled starting XV for Ireland's third pool game against Russia on Thursday morning, the South African-born Munster man has failed to impress Quinlan.

"He didn't perform," noted Quinlan of Kleyn, "he didn't dominate, didn't have any big carries, collisions, tackles, no big moments in the game.

"On the evidence of what we've seen, he hasn't delivered."

Jean Kleyn

Selected in somewhat controversial circumstances, Jean Kleyn, who only qualified to play for Ireland this summer, was perceived to have taken the place of Leinster's Devin Toner.

A stalwart of Joe Schmidt's Ireland teams throughout the New Zealander's tenure, it was some surprise to see Toner excluded.

Assessing the success of this call after three pool games of the World Cup, Quinlan did retain the right to be proven wrong on Kleyn's selection, however.

"Is it a mistake? Well, I think it is probably fair on him and on everyone to wait until after [the World Cup]," suggested Quinlan when it came to judging Kleyn's effectiveness.

"It is difficult when you don't play for a number of weeks, but the energy that [Rhys] Ruddock brought, the energy that Tadhg Beirne brought, they were really good last night.

"Jean Kleyn isn't that kind of player, a dynamic mover around the field. He's not going to be off-loading the ball and he wouldn't have the same kind of zip or pace as them.

"Unfortunately, he didn't have an impact on the game and that question [of his involvement] will come up again after.

"He didn't play very well, and you have Devin Toner sitting at home who has been there and done that."

You can watch back Alan Quinlan's post-match assessment of the game here.

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

Devin Toner Irish Rugby Football Union Jean Kleyn Joe Schmidt Rugby World Cup