ANDY FARRELL is facing a selection headache ahead of the upcoming Autumn Nations Series. The Irish head coach who is already facing an out-half problem, is also facing a hooker problem, a good one.
Leinster's Ronan Kelleher has started as the first choice hooker for Ireland's last two tests and was also called into the British and Lions squad as injury cover. Kelleher is the dominant ball-carrier, three tries in three games so far this season.
Rob Herring; Rory Best's long-term Ulster replacement was Farrell's choice in the Six Nations and has played over 200 times for Ulster and is seen as the best lineout thrower in the country.
Both men will more than likely play against both Japan and New Zealand with Dan Sheehan waiting in line if anything happens to either.
"Dancing down the touchline.... he's almost there... HE IS THERE!!"
Ronan Kelleher is in simply ridiculous form right now 🔥🔥
🎥 @PremierSportsTV pic.twitter.com/XYGBonQfBU— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) October 26, 2021
Kelleher aiming to impress Andy Farrell
"I think it's always been a pretty competitive position with Heff (Dave Heffernan), myself, Rob (Herring) and obviously Sheeno's (Dan Sheehan) coming in," says Kelleher, as he assesses the hooking options available to Farrell.
"And it’s had brilliant performances and it’s always been in a competitive position. I’m definitely going to be putting my hand on the number 2 jersey.
"We’ll see how we go in training and make sure we’re ready to go for the game."
However Kelleher's try scoring abilities have never been in doubt- seven tries in his last four games to be exact - but his lineout throwing isn't at the same level.
The Leinster forwards coach Robin McBryde, himself a former hooker for Wales has worked with the Kelleher on improving this.
"In Leinster we have got a net and a few different throwing games and stuff like that.
"So we do a fair bit of work with Robin McBryde as a group of hookers.
So we do a fair bit with him and a lot of it would be around technique, a fair few of it would be about getting consistency in your own rhythm and your own flow to your throw.
"So, yes, both in terms of throwing we have a net and a couple of different little throwing aides as well."
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - AUGUST 06: Ronan Kelleher 2021 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)Kelleher reflects on South Africa tour
He was called up by British and Lions head coach Warren Gatland as additional cover, it was clear he left an impression even though he failed to make the pitch.
"It was a great experience and great to get to know the lads and all the coaches," he says.
Obviously slightly disappointed not to get a bit of a run or anything. But I can't be too disappointed with it. To go from nowhere, not in the squad to being brought out to train alongside them is still a really positive experience.
"Also the lads are great and took a lot of learnings from it. But ultimately it also drove me that I’m not far off, I felt it was a pretty competitive bunch as well. That was one of the big takeaways from it. I felt confident out there.
"I suppose the feedback I got was that they had experience over me and they had consistencyr that many years.
"But that was all a big factor and yeah, in terms of what I learnt from them over there, they were all great in terms of helping me, giving me little nuggets of information to help me kick on in my game.
"But that was the big thing I suppose. Just kind of their experience, their experience being there in big games."
Being among the touring party for Australia in 2025 is an obvious goal but there are plenty of milestones to reach before that.
SAINT PETER'S JERSEY - JUNE 14: Ronan Kelleher (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)What's next for Kelleher
Kelleher's time in an Ireland jersey could come against the All Blacks later this month, when they take on Ireland at the Aviva Stadium.
It will be interesting to see if he gets the number 2 shirt or the number 16.
"I suppose just I don't want to give too much away, but just consistency but just that you get the full 80 minute performance really.
"It’s obviously an area I’ve worked on in terms of being the most physical, of being vocal on the pitch, almost not going into your shell. But yeah, it’s obviously something that I’ve been working on in Leinster, that physical aspect of the game really.
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