5 Irish Players Joe Schmidt Should Be Bringing To South Africa

Joe Schmidt today named his squad for Ireland’s summer tour of South Africa and once again his selection is not without controversy.

Schmidt has been criticised in the past for his conservative selections and once again has lived up to that name. Several key young players who were expected to be given a chance this summer have been left out in favour of experienced talent.

Here are five players we believe should be on a plane to South Africa this summer.

Stuart McCloskey

Ireland’s long-term solution at 12. The Ulster man has been in fine form and deserved to start more game in the Six Nations this year as he is no doubt one of the most promising players in Ireland right now. Shockingly, he doesn’t even make the squad.

Gary Ringrose

The Leinster starlet was rightly left out of Ireland’s Six Nations squad as more experience at club level was required. This summer is a perfect opportunity to give the centre a taste of the international feel. Another shocking omission.

Matt Healy

Probably the in-form back in the country. Healy has been a revelation for Connacht this season and his omission has most of Ireland, scratching its heads.

Tommy O’Donnell

Joe has once again gone with his Leinster pal Jordi Murphy who outside of his game last weekend against Ulster, has had a very lacklustre season. O’Donnell should be the man on the plane to South Africa this summer and the whole country knows it.

Craig Gilroy

The Ulster winger has been in fine form this season and was unlucky to miss out on the Six Nations squad. A different kind of option on the wing to what Ireland are used to. No doubt deserves another chance in green.

Cian Healy, Denis Buckley, Nathan White, Josh van der Flier, Peter O’Mahony, Sean O’Brien, Tommy Bowe, Andrew Conway and Simon Zebo are all ruled out due to injury.