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Jason Hennessy

Jason is the editor here at RugbyLAD and a proud Limerick man.

Latest posts by Jason Hennessy (see all)

• Uncapped Player Set For Ireland Call-Up Following Injury Concern - January 30, 2023
• Shocking High Tackle Not Picked Up By Match Officials In Munster Vs Toulouse Game - January 23, 2023
• Eben Etzebeth Has Caterpillar Ruck Haters Swooning With Genius Try - January 21, 2023

“I’ve already got him.”

Which rival Six Nations player would you like to have playing for your country? A pretty easy and straightforward question if you’re a fan, but not so simple to answer when you’re the head coach.

As far as his players are concerned – the boss wouldn’t replace any of them. What he has available to him is all he needs. Truth is though – that’s a load of bollocks. Every coach has at least one rival player they’d rather have playing for them.

Problem is none of them will admit it. Except maybe Warren Gatland, and kind of Joe Schmidt. Five Six Nations coaches were asked who they’d have in their team by BBC Rugby Union Weekly’s Chris Jones and Ugo Monye, with only those two giving a decent answer.

Gatland said with Wales current ‘injuries’ he’d have Scotland’s Stuart Hogg in his team, while Schmidt also used injuries to give an answer, saying he wouldn’t say no to Maro Itoje seeing as Ireland’s second-row stocks are currently depleted.

Scotland’s Gregor Townsend. England’s Eddie Jones and Italy’s Conor O’Shea remained tightlipped. And Schmidt later changed his answer to Andy Farrell before realising he already had him. Check it out below. Brilliant clip. Looking forward to listening to the podcast.