Hey Jiggs, It seems clear that the two stand out locks in Europe at the monet are O'Connell and AW Jones. 2 definates to have a seat on the plane to SA. However they are both very dynamic players. Do you think they would work well together?
I am coming around to the thinking that these guys won't start together as they are at their best when playing with a Gough or an O'Callaghan.
What do you think?
How many locks will travell? 3 or 4?
To be honest, I really think we'll see O'Connell at 4 and AWJ at 5, and I do think they will work together. The Wales-Ireland game has changed my opinion on quite a few things (particularly the back row), but despite the absolute destruction of the Welsh line-out, I can't see O'Callaghan being selected ahead of AWJ. It was all O'Connell. So I would say that the four 2nd rows on the plane will be O'Connell, Alun Wyn Jones, O'Callaghan and probably Borthwick (reluctantly).
But like I said, what the 6 Nations has changed for me is my idea of the back row. I would have considered Martyn Williams a cert a couple of weeks back, but I now see the back row as Ferris, Wallace and Ryan Jones. Harsh on Williams, but the Irish back row gave Wales very little room to work last weekend, plus size always has to be a consideration against the South Africans.
As for a lot of these other Irish contenders such as Fitzgerald and Kearney - they certainly are very talented. It's a shame that last weekend, after 10 minutes the Irish showed a complete lack of willingness to play any rugby. The tactics of phase-play and angled kicks deprived the backs of any chance to assert themselves and almost cost Ireland the game against a below-par Welsh team. The forwards and a superb all-action show from O'Driscoll (still one of the best in the world) won it for them.
And I still think Stephen Jones is miles ahead of O'Gara. And I think Flutey has come in and made the 12 shirt his own.