shootermacg wrote: » Exactly! Farrell was getting crap ball and did very well to clean it up. That game was proof that a wooden ten can easily lose a game for you. If RB can look good at Leinster, then you'd have to look at the other Leinster 10s in a new light. Likewise JS has struggled against Teams that aren't being beaten up by his pack. BB and Carty have had to play behind a poor pack, something the Leinster 10s have very little experience with. There's a good argument for giving him his chance.
CMcsporty wrote: » Using that England game as a barometer for Farrell "taking his opportunities far more accurately" is grossly unfair. Ireland never got front foot ball and whenever Farrell got the ball the he head defenders never more than 3-5m from him & he was taking it static because of how deep Ireland were been pushed.
TRC10 wrote: » Is this the Farrell who was one of the only Ireland players to regularly get over the gainline against England last week?
Ardillaun wrote: » They're exceptional players. Nonetheless, more kicking options would help us right across the team. What we're doing isn't working against quality opposition.
TRC10 wrote: » So not kicking the ball makes you not a test 13 now? Ok I guess Manu Tuilagi isnt a test 13 then...or Vakatawa.
Paul Weller wrote: » Possibly a cardable offence on my part.... But Chris Ashton isn't a huge Lowe fan it seemshttps://rugbylad.ie/england-winger-launches-absolutely-scathing-attack-irelands-james-lowe/
Iamabeliever wrote: » And that makes a test 13? Don’t think he kicked the ball once? He needs to do a look more to be compared to Ringrose and Henshaw.
Iamabeliever wrote: » I wouldn’t give two ):@;!! If earls played Sunday and never played for Ireland again. I’m only coming up with this combination so that it will give mccloskey the best platform to show what he can do attack wise. My ideal combo would be Ringrose but he’s injured. Plus earls is a seasoned campaigner with nothing to prove. Also Farrell is soooooo far from a test 13, he offers energy and work rate !
TRC10 wrote: » We've been down this road more times than I care to remember. Keith Earls is not a test quality 13. What is the point in playing him there in the swansong of his career against Georgia in a nothing tournament?
Iamabeliever wrote: » Earls in space is a sight to behold. I think the aforementioned mccloskey will provide the space!
Iamabeliever wrote: » Aki has Underperformed during this current Ireland camp. I just think for the Georgia game earls and mccloskey “little and large” would cause havoc. (I don’t really care about the ball getting out to the wingers) And the other alternative is Farrell and I just don’t think mcclockey and Farrell would jell going by the Fiji performance.
nerd69 wrote: » Why would you even bring earls at 13 up
TRC10 wrote: » How has Aki underperformed??? He was phenomenal in all 5 grand slam games and v the All Blacks that year. And has been one of our most consistent and reliable players since. And why play a 34 year old out of position in the position we have the most strength in depth?
Iamabeliever wrote: » Massive fan of Stuart McCloskey. Love to see him do well in a settled team. Always hitting big numbers in carries and tackles for ulster And Aki has underperformed since he got in the Ireland set up for whatever reason. This may be out of the blue but I wouldn’t mind seeing him partnered up with earls at 13
Iamabeliever wrote: » Massive fan of Stuart McCloskey. Love to see him do well in a settled team. Always hitting big numbers in carries and tackles for ulster. Aki has underperformed since he got in the Ireland set up for whatever reason. This may be out of the blue but I wouldn’t mind seeing him partnered up with earls at 13
aloooof wrote: » Shane Horgan has been pretty critical of Andy Farrell, Ross Byrne and James Lowe on Second Captains. Especially Farrell, says he doesn’t see how he’ll improve the situation.
Bazzo wrote: » No, he definitely packed down at tighthead
Paul Smeenus wrote: » I double-checked, having noticed the numbers weren't what I expected, and thought he was packing down at LH. But t I could well have been wrong.
Bazzo wrote: » Roux scrummaged on the tight head side even though he was wearing 4.
Paul Smeenus wrote: » In fairness, Henderson is the go-to Irish lineout caller, has been since Toner stopped featuring. It's just that he has been injured a bit. I'm not sure what a "noted line-out caller" is? Do Scotland have one? France? And Ryan is our TH lock - for all everyone was talking about Roux adding ballast and helping Porter, he played at 4.
Richie_Rich89 wrote: » I'm seeing some talk about the lineout issues. How can you hope to have a really good lineout without a master caller/jumper playing? Roux and Henderson and Ryan can and do call lineouts, but none of them are noted callers/jumpers. For a long time Ireland had O'Connell and then Toner. Is the value of a really good caller/jumper not being recognised enough at the moment? Personally, I'd like to see Thornbury more involved. He's good in the lineout. Trouble is he's quite injury-prone. The others should focus more on tighthead lock, imo, if they can bring enough weight to the role to complement a jumper lock, or, if playing th lock doesn't suit them, focus on blindside at international level.
Paul Smeenus wrote: » Well a) we don't a have a standout then, and you have to learn to do it and get experience and b) Ryan was packing down behind Porter.