Who will be Ireland's 1st choice outhalf at the next world cup?

As far as talent goes I think Carberry and H byrne are two best,

However its so far out with injuries and form its so hard to tell,

As of right now presuming all fit - Carberry and H Byrne look the most likely for me

hahashake wrote: »

No Sexton?

Absolutely no sexton. He’s been a great servant and a real positive to the team, but he’s winding down now. He’s in the phase of the game where he used to do things, doesn’t do those things anymore but still gets credit for it. Hearing sexton referred to as a running threat is just a lie at this stage. And I heard a podcast talking about how he “carries the ball so close the the line“ and that’s also not true anymore.

Anyone noticed the reduction in the late hits on sexton recently? That’s because he’s not carrying the ball as close to the line but he still gets credit for the work he did in 2017 as if he’s was doing it in 2020.

And as long as there isn’t an obvious, readymade, replacement for sexton, it’s excusable to pretend he’s still playing at 2017 levels. But at some point we have to pull the plug and shake his hand and tell him “thanks for all the hard work”.

I hope that next year they draw a line under the sexton era and start playing H Byrne and Carbery if he makes it back from injury.

ELM327 wrote: »

Sexton will still be playing then, you're delusional if you think he's not starting.

You genuinely think Sexton will be starting at 38 years old?

I do try and make the effort to watch the U-20s every year. I think if Crowley gets the gametime he could be special. But I also thought Bill Johnston was also the best upcoming outhalf at that level, goes to show how hard it is to predict these guys careers. So much comes down to injuries and also opportunity.

I reckon it will be one of Carbery, Healy or H Byrne.

For the sake of a punt, I'll say Healy. He really seems to tick more boxes at his age than anyone else I've seen in quite some time.

However, the wildcard here for me is Craig Casey. Size is the obvious issue, but if he can get into the Munster team ahead of Murray, that could decide Ireland's 10 in 2023. Because I just don't see a 10 developing core strategic skills at the highest level when the 9 is making all the decisions.

theVersatile wrote: »

Joey if he stays fit - if he doesn't then it could be anyone really.

Any player who has been out for that long has to be reintroduced with skepticism and has to re-earn their place. Joey has been out for over a year and has no estimated return date yet.

I hope he can get back to where he was but I’d take nothing for granted.

partyjungle wrote: »

It's really bad that I can't confidently choose anyone from that poll. Carbery if fit I guess.

That's because there is a glaring omission..
Mads to come back to D4 and lead Ireland to a WC semi final, tears and all.

Dubinusa wrote: »

Alternatively, who will be our 9?

i’ll do it

El_Duderino 09 wrote: »

I think it’s unlikely but there’s a clear path to being forced to play him: There isn’t a clear successor and most of the best candidates are very young and inexperienced at the top level. Johnny was a world class player and has the influence of a tip top player so it won’t be easy to drop him while he’s still better than his potential replacements.

So they could end up continuing with Sexton until it’s too late to try the new guys. How long until we start hearing talk of “what he brings to the dressing room”, which is code for “not doing it on the pitch but it feels comfortable to play him anyway”.

It’s also difficult for a coach to drop him. If they play Sexton and lose then it’s everyone’s fault. If you drop sexton and lose then it’s the coach’s fault. Much easier to just keep playing him this year and next year and hope a player comes along to usurp him so they don’t have to make the difficult decision to drop him or not give him another year’s contract.

Could end up seeing some kind of Rog/sexton situation at the 2011 rwc - except this time its Sexton being in Rog's shoes