In 1983-84, the legendary Willie John McBride had a disastrous one-season spell as Ireland head coach.
McBride was a big believer in experience and the squad he selected for that season’s Five Nations was overflowing with it.
Names like Fergus Slattery, Moss Keane, Willie Duggan, Phil Orr and Ciaran Fitzgerald were highly respected in the rugby world but by the time the tournament started, they were all well into their 30s.
Indeed, only second row Donal Lenihan was under 30 years of age in a forward pack that was quickly dubbed ‘Dad’s Army’. Ireland lost all four Five Nations matches to run away with the wooden spoon and after they were humiliated 32-9 by Scotland in their final outing in Dublin, McBride was gone.
More than 40 years on, there are echoes of that ‘Dad’s Army’ era in Ireland’s approach to the upcoming Six Nations Championship.
With Andy Farrell away on his Lions sabbatical, interim head coach Simon Easterby had the opportunity to put his own stamp on proceedings, but he stuck very much to the script and his Six Nations squad is heavily weighted in favour of the tried and trusted.
Simon Easterby (left) has a far more experienced, but ageing, squad than Steve Borthwick
Easterby is taking the reins from Andy Farrell (right) while the latter prepares for the Lions tour
It means that when the Ireland matchday 23 is announced for the showdown with England in the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, it could feature as many as 11 players over the age of 30.
The likes of Bundee Aki (age 34, 61 caps), Jamison Gibson-Park (33 next month, 38 caps) and Peter O’Mahony (35, 110 caps) have been hugely influential internationals over an extended period but the evidence from Ireland’s underwhelming autumn – losing to New Zealand, then scraping past Argentina and Australia and thumping Fiji – suggests their best days may be behind them.
And, while injuries have been a factor, the fact that Ireland are still relying on the nous of Cian Healy (37, 134 caps) and Conor Murray (35, 121 caps) for bench duty is not a great reflection on their pathway processes.
It adheres to the established policy of playing what is in front of you, rather than building for the future, but there is growing disquiet at this approach given Ireland’s persistent failure at World Cups and if this Six Nations campaign should go off-track, the heat on them will increase.
When this issue is raised, the Ireland management are quick to point to the progressive selections of youngsters such as utility back Jamie Osborne (23), hooker Gus McCarthy (21), fly-half Sam Prendergast (21) and second row Joe McCarthy (23) before them.
All have looked the part when given their chance on the international stage and are set to form the backbone of Ireland’s attempt to win their first World Cup knockout game in two years’ time Down Under.
However, the fear is that a large chunk of players in this squad will not make it as far as Australia 2027 and that there will not be enough time to bring the next wave through.
Loyalty to the players who secured a series win in New Zealand in 2022 and a Six Nations Grand Slam the following year is understandable but there is a danger it may pass the point of good reason.
Conor Murray (left) and Cian Healy (right) are still being used off the bench in their late 30s
Ireland had a disappointing autumn, with their defeat by the All Blacks marking a hammer blow
Last November, especially in the limp 23-13 defeat by the All Blacks, there were definite indications that Ireland were in need of a revamp, both in style and personnel.
Meanwhile, the England revamp appears to be well underway and the side announced by Steve Borthwick yesterday was noticeably high on youth and vigour.
The fact England have moved on from stalwarts like Dan Cole, Elliot Daly and Danny Care is instructive and this looks like a team primed for a fast, expansive style that could expose Ireland’s ageing legs.
There are only three English players over the age of 30 in Saturday’s squad but Henry Slade (31), Luke Cowan-Dickie (31) and the estimable new captain Maro Itoje (30) all have the right age profile to make the next World Cup.
The same cannot be said of their opponents but Ireland are not looking beyond Saturday, and are confident that their extra experience will prove too much for their somewhat callow visitors.
It may work out that way. Ireland have a formidable record in the Aviva, where they have not lost a Six Nations match since going down 13-15 to France in 2021, when Farrell was still finding his way in the top job.
England have won only once in their last six trips there, that sole victory being their 2019 blitz (also on opening day) that caught Conor O’Shea’s side off guard.
Furthermore, while some of Ireland’s veteran core may not have been at their peak this season, others such as Tadhg Beirne (33) and Josh van der Flier (31) are arguably in the form of their careers. This is, after all, still the world’s No 2-ranked team, five places ahead of England, who had a troubling autumn of their own.
England have a far younger, more vibrant team than Ireland, led by new captain Maro Itoje
The Aviva is still a fortress for Ireland, who are unbeaten there in the Six Nations since 2021
Easterby is set to stick rigidly to the Farrell formula and it creates a fascinating backdrop for an intriguing clash of cultures.
If England’s youthful verve wins the day, it could force Ireland into a change of policy that feels long overdue.
