RINGROSY

Centre Garry reflects on dramatic Irish upturn

- BY DEREK FOLEY

ANDY FARRELL used four different centre partnerships in the last Autumn Nations Series.

It all started with Garry Ringrose and Stuart McCloskey against the All Blacks before Robbie Henshaw and Tom Farrell, Henshaw and McCloskey, Ringrose and Bundee Aki were then employed in the matches with Japan, Australia and South Africa respectively.

Yet that first pairing, discarded after the game in Chicago, has been one of Ireland's major successes through the three Six Nations games so far.

The decision, notwithstanding Henshaw being injured and Aki suspended, has worked a treat.

There is no arguing that McCloskey has been a revelation on both sides of the ball with Ringrose benefitting from the certainty the big man on his inside brings. And as a double act they reflect a growing confidence.