TRC10 wrote: » Yeah but we gave a few the week before vs the USA (Porter, Ryan, Stockdale, Scannell, Heffernan) So it's not a direct comparison
shootermacg wrote: » Apologies Of course you're right. We've never made it that far, with our best selections
nerd69 wrote: » And we likely do next week again vs the usa so it's about as close as you can get
molloyjh wrote: » And we'll likely give a few caps next week vs the USA too. It is a very, very close comparison...
roverjoyce wrote: » The benefits of central contracts!! Why not give youth a chance against a well prepared and up to speed Japan team
Deleted User wrote: » Any bookies showing odds?
Squidgy Black wrote: » Eh, there's one player in that 23 on a central contract.
Former Former Former wrote: » Well, there are two, but I think your point still stands.
TRC10 wrote: » I know we're playing a good team but jesus christ.
TRC10 wrote: » The starting XV is more or less ok, apart from the centres.
TRC10 wrote: » Just to clarify, I don't think we should be handing out caps left right and centre. It's not so much about giving out caps, but making intelligent future planning selections, blooding guys who will be part of the squad in 2023. The starting XV is more or less ok, apart from the centres. He's picked 2 crash ball centres, who can pass and offload, but neither are creative or have an outside break. It's an unbalanced pairing. Baloucoune has been in camp as a development player and he's broken into the Ulster team and has been in great form. He'd be worth a bench spot over Daly, who is good, but hasn't as high a ceiling and isn't in the Munster 1st XV. And John Ryan on the bench just has me in absolute despair..
aloooof wrote: » The lesser known "Wow, that de-escalated quickly" trope.
nerd69 wrote: » Why do you keep mentioning Daly's ceiling? He's rapid the same age and has more appearances at club level both have 7s pace Daly has more positional flexibility
Former Former Former wrote: » In fairness, with Keenan, Larmour, Stockdale and Carbery in the side, we're unlikely to need Daly at FB
TRC10 wrote: » Not at all. I still think it's an absolute joke that John Ryan is on the bench against one of the weaker scrummaging nations when so much time has been invested in Tom O'Toole. McCloskey and Farrell is an incredibly blunt, one dimensional centre pairing that will just go route one and won't cause Japan any real problems. It's also ridiculous that there's no room for Baloucoune or Hume on the bench. On a positive note though, it's good to see Carbery back. He has a big chance to nail down the 10 jersey.
DonVito wrote: » I wonder what the likes of Hume and Balacoune think when they see the likes of Farrell and Daly on the team sheet. They absolutely smoke those lads at club level but somehow they sit behind them internationally. Shane Daly..... it’s like Sam Coghlan Murray being on the bench. Waste of time. Farrell has been extremely disappointing in his selections during the 6 nations and now this too.
shootermacg wrote: » Coombes and Baird are frightening prospects. Both early 20s and both close to 120kg. In a few years both could be 130Kg plus, that's SA levels of big.
molloyjh wrote: » Hume only covers centre so if he's on the bench then we either have no cover with at 10 or in the back 3. At least Larmour offers cover at 13 and 15 which would give scope to include Balacoune. As for the centres, it was the only realistic selection. With Henshaw, Aki, Ringrose and Addison all unavailable our options were basically non-existent. Hume is too inexperienced to start his first game against a very decent Japan. I agree re Ryan.