SIMON ZEBO would like to see Simon Easterby give kids a chance – but he reckons the young guns need to show they deserve the chance.
Interim Ireland head coach Easterby will select his first XV on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s Six Nations opener against England at the Aviva Stadium.
Having been part of Andy Farrell’s coaching staff, he is expected to stick to the tried and tested.
Now former Ireland star Zebo hopes there is an eye on the 2027 World Cup in Australia with sides selected for this Six Nations.
But he acknowledged that the older heads like Conor Murray are making it difficult to be pushed out of the side.
Zebo said: “Jamie Osborne, Calvin Nash, a Jimmy O’Brien, or Cormac Izuchukwu, you’d like to see one or two new faces getting a go in a big game against England.
“That’s really deep end stuff so you get to see a lot about the players in those kind of games.
“Obviously Simon (Easterby) will sprinkle the experience around, but one or two young players would be great.
“Not looking too far ahead with the experience thing and the World Cup not so far away, how you’d like to see some players thrown in the deep end and given a full go in this tournament.
“Obivously the old experienced players are still playing the best and still get to play but it’s up to the young guns to push them out and make Simon’s selections very difficult.”
And he acknowledged that is tough with Munster scrum half Murray, 35, still – in Zebo’s mind – deserving of his spot in the matchday squad on form.
He said: ““Form is temporary class is permanent, the old fellas are still able to be the general on the pitch and dictate where the game is played.
“His skillset is never going to go away. His speed…there wasn’t much there to begin with so he hasn’t lost too many yards of speed.
“And he’s as physical as ever, he could play as long as he wanted really, he’s always in peak physical condition and he’s always a smart player.”
But Zebo hopes Munster wing Calvin Nash gets a chance ahead of either James Lowe or Mack Hansen having made the big breakthrough in the past 18 months.
A bit part player at Munster, the 27-year-old nailed down a starting spot in the last two years and forced his way into the Ireland set-up winning eight caps to date.
But all his starts were in Hansen’s absence and the Connacht man could get back in now, though Zebo reckons Nash is worth a crack.
He said: “I’d like to see Calvin Nash get a run for his form with Munster. He has no ceiling I don’t think. He could be one of the very best in Europe.
“And I don’t know what more he can do to get into the side on the form of James (Lowe) and Mack (Hansen), he’s the stand out guy.
“Both James and Mack are proven winners, the coaches know what they get every time they select them.
“But it’s up to Cal to train well, I’d like to see him be given a vote of confidence like other players have.”
Simon Zebo, teamed up with BoyleSports to preview Ireland’s Six Nations opening clash with England this Saturday. BoyleSports will Pay Out Early if either side goes 17 points ahead at any stage.
