JOE SCHMIDT WAS encouraged by the performances of debutants Dave Foley, Dominic Ryan and Robin Copeland in Ireland’s 49-7 win over Georgia yesterday, while out-half Ian Madigan also came in for praise.
Second row Foley was named man of the match for a hard-working display in which he also ran Ireland’s line-out, while Leinster flanker Ryan impressed in the back row. Copeland came off the bench in the closing quarter to demonstrate his ball-carrying threat.
“There was a little bit in all three of them that will keep up interested in the future, I would think,” said the Kiwi post-match.
Schmidt credited Foley for calling the shots at line-out time, while also indicating that the 26-year-old Clonmel man had got through copious amounts of work around the pitch.
Copeland added dynamism as a replacement for Mike McCarthy, although that impact came as the game broke up late on. Nonetheless, Schmidt was enthused by what he saw from the Wexford-born number eight.
“Robin came on and delivered something just a little bit outside the box,” said Schmidt. “He got a couple of good offloads away and he’s a guy who can just change the shape of a game a little bit, in that he’s such a good athlete that it allows him to either get into space or to dominate collisions and free the ball up.”
Robin Copeland had some nice touches for Ireland late on. Source: James Crombie/INPHO
Ulster’s Stuart Olding was another to stand out as a final-quarter substitute, slotting in at fullback to score a try and provide the assist for Felix Jones’ first. Schmidt again offered praise to the versatile back, but also indicated the role of others in creating Olding’s five pointer.
“Stu obviously finished that try nicely,” outlined Schmidt, “he hit a nice angle. It was a set play where other guys helped Stu get the gap.
Darren Cave was among Ireland’s weaker performers, and will likely have been disappointed with some of his passing and decision-making. His head coach refused to be drawn into offering any criticism of the player, however.