Joe Schmidt's first competitive tests as Ireland boss are inching closer and there are many unanswered questions between now and the game against Samoa on November 9th.
One of the main ones is the captaincy. Paul O'Connell is many people's favourite for the role.
But he is struggling to shake off a calf injury which could see him miss the Samoa match.
Ideally, Joe Schmidt would want a captain who can steer clear of injuries, which is something that another candidate Jamie Heaslip can offer.
That was one of the issues Alan Quinlan and Gerry Thornley discussed on Off The Ball last night.
"From Schmidt's point of view he would prefer to have a captain that's going to play for the three games," said Quinlan.
"Paul O'Connell has the injury and he is a bit injury prone at the moment. Jamie Heaslip seems robust and never seems to get injured so there's a big decision there. Obviously if O'Connell is fit, it looks like they have decided to go for him. Paul O'Connell is a phenomenal captain and I think Joe Schmidt is waiting on him. But Schmidt can name Heaslip for the Samoa game and he might do that. It's an option and then pick O'Connell if he is fit."
Other issues Schmidt has to address is the need to form bonds with the non-Leinster players. Quinlan suggested that there may have been underlying tensions from non-Munster players when Declan Kidney was in charge.
"Joe knows these Leinster guys well. The other guys don't really know him and they'll have to get to know him. He would have chatted with a lot of the players to try and build relationships with them. It could be a slight little issue but none of these things happen unless you start struggling or losing."
The three upcoming games are ones Ireland will want to win. Particularly the first two games against Samoa and Australia are ones Schmidt will be targeting as the All Blacks test may be a step too far.
"Schmidt comes with such a pedigree. Remember that Brian O'Driscoll has described him as the best coach he has ever played for," said Thornley.
"Australia are coming good again, Somoa have picked a strong squad with players from the Top 14, Super 15 and Aviva Premiership. It's as daunting a November series as Ireland have possibly ever encountered.
©INPHO/Dan Sheridan
