Leinster prop Thomas Clarkson is poised to potentially make his international debut for Ireland against Argentina next Friday evening. Although neither Tadhg Furlong nor Tom O’Toole has been officially ruled out, their participation remains questionable, making Clarkson’s opportunity all the more significant. The 24-year-old initially featured as one of five uncapped “training panellists,” but with no other tighthead in the selected squad, his chances look promising.
Clarkson participated in the captain’s run at the Aviva Stadium on Thursday, leading up to the previous night’s 23-13 defeat to New Zealand. In that match, O’Toole was unfortunately assisted off within mere minutes after he came on to replace Finlay Bealham, who had to continue playing until the game’s conclusion despite sustaining an injury.
Bealham stepped in for an injured Furlong, who seems unlikely to feature against Argentina after aggravating a hamstring injury initially encountered during a recent Leinster training camp in Portugal. Furlong’s absence is a significant concern for the Irish team given his world-class status.
“You’d always hope when you’ve got a world-class tighthead that’s not fit, but we’ll see how that goes,” remarked head coach Andy Farrell as he addressed Furlong’s recovery prospects prior to the clash with Argentina. The South Americans demonstrated their prowess under coach Felipe Contepomi with an impressive 50-18 victory over Italy in Udine on the previous Saturday.
“You’ve got to see how people pull up,” added Farrell, emphasizing the need to assess players’ condition closely. “You could see that Finlay had given his all, hadn’t he? There’s a few people like that so we’ll see how they pull up on Sunday.” This raises further doubts regarding team readiness for upcoming fixtures.
Although O’Toole visibly staggered before being assisted off, he won’t automatically be sidelined for the mandatory 12 days unless there is a history of concussion, which is not the case at this time.
Clarkson’s rugby journey began at Wicklow RFC, and he made a name for himself during his time at Blackrock College. He was a cornerstone in Ireland’s 2019 under-20 Grand Slam success and has since earned 47 caps for Leinster.
Farrell’s coaching philosophy tends not to discard what is working effectively, especially following Ireland’s first home defeat in 3½ years.
Ciarán Frawley is also in the frame for his first Test start for Ireland against Argentina. Farrell maintained an unchanged team following last season’s Six Nations defeat at Twickenham, leading Ireland to back-to-back titles against Scotland a week later. However, he made strategic rotations later by removing Bundee Aki and Peter O’Mahony in the second Test victory in Durban last July.
Frawley, who had notable impact with two drop goals in that victory, faced a contrasting experience in the recent match. He was brought in during the 58th minute for Jack Crowley, despite Ireland leading, with Farrell expressing a desire to “freshen it up” and offer Frawley a chance to shine. “Sometimes it goes your way, sometimes it doesn’t,” he noted.
Farrell hinted at a degree of player rotation in the coming month. Following Argentina, Ireland will face Fiji, who secured a historic 24-19 win over Wales in Cardiff, along with a subsequent matchup against Joe Schmidt’s Australia, buoyed by their thrilling 42-37 victory over England.
“It’s a tough old month, four games back to back on the trot,” remarked Farrell, highlighting the challenges ahead as they navigate player fatigue and performance levels.
Frawley will be under consideration at outhalf as Ireland evaluates their game management, particularly in the wake of life without the generational talent of Johnny Sexton. “Game-management is not just down to them, it’s down to others helping with the calls and seeing the space,” Farrell commented on the learning curve for the young outhalf contingent. “But, having said that, if you are playing you would expect yourself to hold on to the ball for more than a couple of phases, which we didn’t do at times.”
Robbie Henshaw is another candidate for a potential return, along with Jamie Osborne, who made his third cap as a 70th-minute substitute for Garry Ringrose in the recent match after demonstrating impressive form starting both Tests in South Africa at fullback.
Farrell may also contemplate alterations to Ireland’s starting back five in the pack, with a number of younger players—including Ryan Baird, Cormac Izuchukwu, Nick Timoney, and Cian Prendergast—eager to inject vitality into the squad.
Ireland’s recent defeat has dropped them from the top of the world rankings, as the updated list will be published at noon on Monday. Their loss allowed New Zealand to surpass them, and with the Springboks’ 32-15 win over Scotland at Murrayfield, South Africa reclaimed the number one spot, leaving Ireland in third place.
**Interview with Thomas Clarkson on His Potential International Debut with Ireland**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Thomas. There’s a lot of excitement surrounding your potential debut for Ireland against Argentina next Friday. How are you feeling about the opportunity?
**Thomas Clarkson:** Thanks for having me! Honestly, it feels surreal. I’ve dreamed of representing Ireland since I was a kid, and the possibility of stepping onto that field is incredibly motivating. I’ve been working hard, and to be in a position to make my debut is an exciting prospect.
**Editor:** It sounds like you’re ready for it! With Tadhg Furlong and Tom O’Toole both facing fitness concerns, how do you approach the situation knowing you might need to fill such big shoes?
**Clarkson:** It’s definitely a challenging scenario, given the caliber of players we’re talking about. Tadhg is a world-class tighthead and someone I’ve looked up to since I was young. While I would love to see him fit and playing, I have to focus on doing what I can for the team. If I get the chance, I’ll give it my all and play my game.
**Editor:** You’ve had a strong career so far with Leinster, including that celebrated Under-20 Grand Slam. How do past experiences prepare you for this moment?
**Clarkson:** Every game I’ve played, whether in club rugby or at the under-20 level, has taught me something valuable. My time at Blackrock College and with Leinster has given me a solid foundation. Each challenge has helped me grow as a player. I also try to draw on the experiences of my teammates—learning from their successes and failures is crucial.
**Editor:** Ireland faced a tough loss to New Zealand, and head coach Andy Farrell mentioned the need for players to step up. What do you think you can bring to the team in such a demanding context?
**Clarkson:** I think it’s about bringing energy and a fresh mindset. We need to focus on learning from that loss and channel that into our next performance. If I’m part of the squad, I want to contribute positively, whether that’s through my scrummaging, my work in the set-pieces, or just lifting the team’s spirits.
**Editor:** With a couple of games lined up against tough opponents like Argentina and Fiji, how do you prepare mentally and physically for such a busy schedule?
**Clarkson:** It’s crucial to take it one game at a time. We have a solid support system and coaching staff that prepares us well. I’ll be focusing on my recovery and conditioning, while also mentally preparing myself for each game. It’s about staying grounded, knowing my role, and being ready when called upon.
**Editor:** Looking ahead to Friday, what would a debut cap mean to you personally?
**Clarkson:** It would mean everything. It’s the culmination of years of hard work, sacrifices, and support from my family and coaches. Pulling on that green jersey and representing my country would be a dream come true. I hope to honor the opportunity and contribute to the team’s success.
**Editor:** Thank you for your time, Thomas, and best of luck for the upcoming match. We’re all rooting for you!
**Clarkson:** Thank you! I appreciate the support. Looking forward to it!
