Former Munster and Ireland star Simon Zebo has spoken exclusively to BOYLE Sports ahead of Ireland’s Six Nations opener with France on Thursday.
Zebo acknowledges the scale of the challenge facing Ireland in Paris, but suggests there are aspects of this French side that can still be tested if Ireland get their approach right.
He also raises broader questions about how Ireland should be thinking about squad balance and depth as the Six Nations unfolds. And on one of the key selection calls facing the coaching staff, Zebo offers a perspective that may not align with the prevailing narrative.
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Don't Write Ireland Off
Zebo: France Favourites, But Ireland Still a Threat
Looking ahead to the championship and the challenge posed by the reigning champions, Zebo pointed to the depth and quality across the French squad as a major obstacle for Ireland .
“With the likes of Matthieu Jalibert and Antoine Dupont firing and the depth of the French squad, with Bordeaux going well too, they're going to be hard to beat. Their team is just stacked, they could field two XVs. And having Ireland and England at home, it's going to be tough to topple them this year.
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Despite acknowledging France’s strength, Zebo believes Ireland remain capable of making life uncomfortable for the hosts if they execute at a high level.
“France will be heavy favourites and Ireland will have to be close to perfect to beat them. But Ireland are still capable of frustrating this French team, so never say never. Ireland are always in the mix and when they're not being backed as favourites, they tend to perform a bit better, a punch above.
The former star winger also suggested that the lack of external expectation on Ireland could play into their hands heading into the opener in Paris.
“Nobody is even speaking about Ireland, which is a good thing if you're Irish. I think of the lads’ mentality, it’s a little bit of pressure off them. I think they'll go really well.
Turning his attention to the wider championship schedule, Zebo admitted he feels more confident about some of Ireland’s later fixtures than the opening-night trip to Paris.
“I would be more confident about the England game at Twickenham than the opener in the Stade de France . The size of the England pack concerns me, the backline is red hot at the moment. It’s a hostile place to play, but Ireland have enjoyed it there in recent years. Neither team will run away with it, but that will be a cracking game.”
Back The Youth
Zebo Calls for Fresh Faces in Ireland’s Six Nations Squad
When discussing squad composition and long-term depth, Zebo stressed the importance of carefully integrating younger players into the international setup.
“I’d like to see more rotation, some new faces getting a proper crack at it, surrounded by ever-presents.
“You don't want to change the whole 15 or 23, but in terms of depth, you just don't want to be caught on the hop like we have been before in the past.
“Hang your hat on a bit of youth, push some of the younger players in who've been playing well.”
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Number 10 Debate Verdict
Ireland’s Number 10 Debate: Zebo Makes His Call “He Has More X-Factor”
On the ongoing debate around Ireland’s fly-half options, Zebo made it clear which player he believes should be handed the reins.
“It's not because of Munster bias, but I genuinely feel Jack Crowley is the best of the three.
Reflecting on Crowley’s previous opportunities in the role, Zebo suggested the fly-half’s development has stalled due to a lack of continuity.
“They didn't get the slam in his first championship, but they won it and I thought he was going to kick on and then the keys shifted back to Sam, and he was in and out of the side. I suppose we didn't see the evolution as I thought we would.
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Explaining why he rates Crowley so highly, Zebo highlighted the all-round qualities the fly-half brings to Ireland’s game.
“But if he was given the keys again, his defence is class, he's always putting in big shots and he's got a huge work rate. His attacking running game is also class, his cross-field kick game, and his long kicking game is good. His kicking at goal is decent as well, it's not a massive issue.
Concluding his assessment, Zebo argued that Crowley’s natural instincts with ball in hand offer something slightly different within Ireland’s current structure.
“I think Jack has more X factor in terms of ball-in-hand, ability to beat defenders and go a little bit off-script. There is a lot of structure in this current game plan, you know where you're supposed to be at all times on the pitch, there's nothing too much off-the-cuff about it. Maybe that plays against Jack a little bit.”
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