Andy Farrell’s first game in charge of Ireland yielded a battling win against a gutsy Scotland side in the Guinness Six Nations, with some of his squad’s elder statesmen rising to the occasion to drag the 2018 Grand Slam champions over the line. Among a sea of Guinness PRO14 stars on show in Dublin, Munster’s CJ Stander stood out from the crowd, showcasing his prowess across all areas of the pitch to steer his team towards a hard-fought win. The 29-year-old had been handed the No.6 shirt to make room in the back row for Caelan Doris, but an early injury to the Leinster youngster paved the way for Stander’s return to No.8, where he duly demonstrated why he is considered so valuable to Ireland’s pack. Here, we take a quick look at how he influenced his country’s Championship opener, and how his form could affect Munster’s chase for silverware this season. Adding value in any position Having started four of Ireland’s five 2019 Rugby World Cup matches at No.8, Stander was forced to make the move to blindside flanker to accommodate Doris, who has been one of the leading lights in the Guinness PRO14 this season. Rather than being a sign of Doris’ superiority however, the change signalled the adaptability of the South-African born star, who insisted ahead of the game he was comfortable anywhere in the back row. “It’s not really a big switch for me,” he said. “It’s just a number change, and my job there is to make sure I get into space a little bit and work with the boys around me and give them an easier job.” Indeed, Stander graced Doris’ inclusion by offering him advice and encouragement ahead of kick-off, only for the 21-year-old to be forced off in the opening minutes.
