Ryan ready to take on captaincy role if Sexton is ruled out
JAMES RYAN is poised to take over the captaincy should Johnny Sexton fail to recover from the hamstring injury he sustained in Friday night’s win against Wales at the Aviva Stadium.
Sexton underwent a scan yesterday and the Ireland out-half remains a doubt for next Saturday’s Autumn Nations Cup clash with England at Twickenham.
Ryan stepped in as captain when Sexton left the field in the 29thminute and the 24-year-old is set to step up again should the Leinster No10 miss the cut for next weekend’s trip to London.
The second row has considerable experience as captain going back through his progression from underage level and has been flagged as a future Ireland leader from a long way out – even mentioned as a possible candidate to lead the Lions against South Africa next summer by head coach Warren Gatland. Andy Farrell’s squad will be seeking revenge for their 24-12 loss in Twickenham back in February when the visitors were outclassed by a rampant England outfit, who were completely dominant in the physical exchanges.
Caelan Doris came off the bench in that sobering Six Nations defeat but the 22-year-old will return as a key member of a new-look pack.
And the Leinster backrower is relishing a chance to have another crack off the World Cup finalists on their home turf.
‘It was a fast game and very physical. I just played the last 20 (of the game in February) but yeah, they’re big men,’ he recalled.
‘It can be like a brick wall sometimes running into it but I think we really back our attack and if we can get a few phases together it will open up.
‘It’s going to be a massive challenge and one we’re definitely looking forward to as well given the big disappointment there earlier on in the year. Having another shot over there is going to be something we’re all looking forward to.’
Ireland have been outmuscled by England in the past three meetings, with the likes of Maro Itoje, Billy Vunipola and Manu Tuilagi doing major damage.
However, Tuilagi – the wrecking ball Leicester centre – and
Courtney Lawes, who starred against Ireland earlier this year, are both out of action with long-term injuries.
And Doris and the rest of teammates will look to address the power balance after they were outmuscled last time out.
‘I’d say we haven’t reviewed it now in a while but looking back I think probably they got too much change out of their carries a little bit too easily,’ he explained.
‘I think line-speed is going to be big for us this week, hitting them behind the gain-line, two-man tackles.
‘And then on the flip side of that, just getting phases together. The ruck is going to be key in getting quick ball for us, not allowing their defence to get set. Hopefully holes will be there and we’ll get goforward off that.’
Ireland will also be mindful of England’s tactical kicking game, which yielded two first-half tries in the previous encounter.
‘If we’re on the back foot and they’re on the front foot they have the joy of good running options, good kicking options,’ Doris added.
‘So I think stopping them up front, not allowing them to kick on their own terms will definitely help our back-field.’
‘IT CAN BE LIKE A BRICK WALL AGAINST THE ENGLISH, THEY ARE BIG MEN’