Ben can be the Heal’ deal for Ireland
MUNSTER’S Ben Healy was the URC’s in-form out-half — and possibly the finest no.10 in Europe — last weekend.
Yesterday, Defence Coach JP Ferreira suggested Healy could be a ‘giant’ in international rugby as, weighing in at 98kg, he casts a shadow over all- comers.
But Ferreira also revealed a schedule which will be worrying for Andy Farrell and potentially alarming for Ireland supporters.
The province will not be picking on form this month but following a prepared spreadsheet.
The upshot is that while debate rages over
Johnny Sexton’s place and Paddy Jackson remains ineligible while at London Irish, the form of the nearest out-half chal lengers has been underwhelming.
Last week Billy Burns was eclipsed by his play-making scrum-half Nathan Doak and Harry Byrne was completely out of sorts while Joey Carbery has yet to convince some five years since his Ireland debut.
Game
Meanwhile, Healy is showing all the making of a text- book Handre Pollard, the World Cup- winning Springbok who has almost modelled his game on a ‘typical’ Munster out-half.
Pollard kicks long, stands up straight allowing him to make late decisions, takes and makes tackles and has a World Cup medal at home.
Meanwhile Ireland, who play Japan, New Zealand and Argentina in the first three weeks of November, remain desperately behind in t e rms of RWC2023 preparation.
The need to see Healy in repeated top-flight action should be a priority for Farrell but he has his hands tied when it comes to Munster selection.
Thus while Ferreira says Healy has been brilliant and is delighted with his presence, weight and leadership, selection for Saturday’s game w ith Con nacht is pre- determined.
“Ben has improved massive and physically he is a big body. If you look at him he is 98kgs, you wouldn’t say it but he is,” notes the South African.
“We’ve worked hard on his defence and the longer side of it, Steve ( Larkham, Attack Coach) has really worked hard on his game too.
“Last weekend I was really chuffed with Ben just putting his body on the line especially off that first phase in the lineouts, making his hits and then setting the tone for the rest of the defence.
“So he has grown and he is evolving and he really a student of the game.
Different
“He sits with myself and sits with Steve a lot going through different aspects of the defence and the attack, Benny is doing really well.”
Given the presence of Aussie legend Larkham — one of the finest attacking no.10s in modern rugby — as attacking and skills coach and his work with Healy, there is a big call to be made.
Carbery t urns 2 6 o n November 1 a nd has only eight i nternational starts (none in the Six Nations) among his 24 caps.
Right now, the 22-year- old Healy is in form and, with just 23 months to RWC2023, needs to see just what his current ceiling might be.
Interestingly England coach Eddie Jones trialled two fly- halves in his summer squad, Marcus Smith (22) and Jacob Umaga (23) with the latter being called up for the Lions.
Revealed Ferreira: “We, as coaches, have set out a plan for this five-week game block and, like I have said, it i s about backing t he squad and giving everybody game-time.
“But what it is is an inter- pro, and we select on our plan as put out before and we as coaches are having a good chat around the dynamics in the squad and how we want to keep us fresh and also who needs game-time.
“So, yes, it is inter-pro and obviously inter-pros are nice and fiery but we will do our best for the squad than picking our best, say, but we (want) to be nice and fresh going into this game for the weekend.”