THE number of in-form centres around the country means Darren Cave is completely in the dark as regards the Six Nations.
The Ulster man was in the squad Joe Schmidt took to the World Cup in September past and looked well enough placed until he suffered a shoulder injury six weeks ago. That took him out of contention for a crucial period in which Ulster secured back-to-back wins over Toulouse to keep their European dreams alive.
The partnership of the superb Stuart McCloskey and Luke Marshall has been to the fore in that success, while Jared Payne last weekend made his first appearance since suffering the broken foot that ended his World Cup, albeit at full-back.
His clubmates aside, the emergence of exciting young Leinster back Garry Ringrose had added to the already stiff competition, of which Luke Fitzgerald and Robbie Henshaw are also at the forefront. Lest we forget too that Keith Earls ended up playing much of the World Cup in midfield alongside Henshaw.
With Schmidt expected to name his squad on Thursday, Cave - who is expected to return to the Ulster side for their final European pool stage tie with Oyonnax on Saturday - says the decision is already beyond his control.
“I have absolutely no idea [whether he’ll be called up]. The national selection for national coaches, a lot of centres have been playing well and I haven’t been playing," he said.
“As I’ve said before, I think I’ve played my worst rugby when I’ve worried about what’s happening in the big picture. I can control what they see, in terms of what I produce, but I can’t control what they think. That’s what I’ll be looking to do this weekend. I know the squads are picked before that, but I can’t do anything about that.”
Cave was one of the victims from the Edinburgh game last month, suffering a separated AC joint in the early minutes. The 28-year-old, who has 11 international caps, knows all too well that even getting his place back in the Ulster side is no foregone conclusion.
“You guys are sick hearing me the last two years talking about how many good centres we have," he said.
“I’ve said it for two years that whoever plays the most rugby in the centre for Ulster is going to be there or thereabouts for Ireland. This season has shown that more than ever. Jared and myself went to the World Cup and we haven’t played together since.
“Stuart Olding’s back from an ACL this weekend and everyone suddenly remembers that Luke Marshall’s a very good player after he missed a couple of months with a head injury last year. Stuart McCloskey’s done very well, so there are plenty of options for Ulster and, potentially, Ireland.”
Ulster travelled to France 10 days ago hoping for a bonus point win to really strengthen their hand. By the end of proceedings at Stade Charles-Mathon, they were glad for any sort of win. Paddy Jackson’s booming late penalty from inside his own half completed a superb turnaround from 23-0 down at the break and kept Ulster’s hopes alive.
However, the failure to pick up a bonus point either there or in Toulouse - where they scored three tries and had one disallowed just before half-time - has left them relying on others, irrespective of whether they achieve a bonus point on Saturday. Clermont, Northampton, Stade Francais all sit on 14 points in their respective pools, one ahead of Ulster, while Wasps are on 15 ahead of the visit of Leinster to the Ricoh Arena this weekend.
With the three best runners-up to come from those five, it’s almost out of Ulster’s hands. The only thing certain is that a bonus point win is the bare minimum required of Les Kiss’ side.
“Seventeen points isn’t going to be enough. I don’t even know if 18 will be,” said Cave.
“We’ll just look after the small things and hope that we get a good result.”
