So?
Rugby player playing rugby shocker.
I had the exact same thought about Keenan. He has decision making that would be envied by a lot of 10s, and speed that's surely up there with our fastest wingers.
Watch the try he scored against the USA from McCloskey's kick.
McCloskey sees Coombes win the ball, immediately calls the play by raising his hand. When the camera goes wide you see Keenan has already run toward McCloskey, anticipating where he's going to kick it. By the time McCloskey actually kicks, Keenan is already at full speed.
I count eleven seconds between Coombes winning the turnover and Keenan crossing the line.
The only way Coombes doesn't start in the AIs is if he leaves rugby to star in a superhero television series based on the life of young Captain America.
Doris and Ryan are proven against top international opposition, which Coombes isn't just yet.
Baird played fine v the USA 7/10 and he was one of our top performers v Japan.
Anyway, I agree that Coombes' performance shouldn't be discounted because of the opposition, you can only play whats in front of you and he played extremely well. I still think he should have started v Japan though. We're stacked with quality back rowers.
I hope Coombes gets an opportunity! He could be a real gem. He certainly deserves the opportunity and I think he's going to be a fixture for Ireland for many years.
Doris imo, is not a 6. I would prefer him at 8. So it's a toss up with himself, Coombes and Conan.
I think Beirne is the best option at blindside. He does everything and is top class. He's played very well there for Scarlets. He gives us a lot of power and a turnover threat!
I'd have no issues with throwing Coombes straight into the side for the autumn internationals at 8... He'd have POM's experience at 6 to talk him through his first real test and to help him steady the ship.... playing with Murray and Carberry would only add to his settling in
To be fair, he’s done it against Clermont and Toulouse as well this season.
Still a step up to international level, but I expect him to be involved in the AI’s
So being absolutely average like Ryan, Baird and Dorris against them, should be more telling.
About James Ryan, he obviously is not right. The concussions are likely a factor! Against Scotland he was playing well until the injury.
That said! He's bulked up a bit and I think it's affected his overall play. He doesn't look explosive anymore and he isn't carrying as much as before.
He's still an international quality lock and if he remains injury free, he could return to his best. I think he's going to have to shed a couple of kgs.
Because it's a nothing match! Duhhhh! Coombes should have STARTED against Japan. It would provide a better picture of where he is. Beating up on a pro14 level side is not a good barometer.
So everyone is giving plaudits to players and you basically discounted Coombes performance because it's the US. Then why bring anyone up at all? Coombes did his chances no harm at all, played a really good game in a unfamiliar wing forward position, always drew 2 men and then passed. If anything, he's a much better player for carrying tight in the centre of the pitch.
The camera was behind Kelleher for some of the throws and I remember a few he threw were just incredibly well thrown. I think Ryan fumbled at least 1 perfectly flighted throw. So I'm not sure Kelleher was to blame for any bad lineouts really.
Yeah, Conway's form just hasn't merited a green jersey in quite a while, so it was great to see him so involved in the USA game - then of course he had to go off at half time...
I think the incumbents in the back three are Keenan, Earls and Stockdale with Larmour currently in the 23 jersey (maybe).
I would like Lowe to get another shot but he's on VERY thin ice, Conway has maybe missed his window, so hopefully Baloucoune comes good. Addison did a reasonable job on the wing too so he's a lovely fit for the 23 jersey.
Lots of players all of a similar level atm. Need someone to come out and really make a case.
I don’t think this is true, tbh. He was out of action for a large chunk of the season, and was playing his way back into form when he came back.
Didn’t Farrell start him in the 2020 6 Nations, where he was amongst our best players?
Keenan is one of the most competent rugby players I've seen break into the Ireland team in a long time.
He genuinely wouldn't look out of place in an All Blacks jersey, as he just has such a great feel for the game, reads the game magnificently and doesn't make mistakes.
He's such a natural, complete fullback. His fielding, his defence, his positioning, his distribution and his running lines are superb, he's rapid and he can step in at 1st receiver as he did a lot last week.
He's been Ireland's find of the season for me and the 15 shirt is his to lose.
It's strange what's happened to Ryan. He's gone from being world class in 2017 and 2018 to being fairly ordinary. Is it wear and tear? Is it injuries? I suppose the way he plays the game, with huge numbers of tackles and carries, is bound to take a toll on his body. The one area where he has improved in that time is his lineout work.
Maybe a switch to loosehead lock would lighten the load somewhat. Leinster could go for Dunne at tighthead lock alongside Ryan, with Baird benching. I'd be interested to see how that would work.
Why do you say this?
In Farrells first team selection in the job, he dropped Earls for Conway.
Conway lost his place in the team when he went way off form in October, he scored 1 try I think last season. Other guys were just playing better.
I think it's pretty clear Farrell rates Conway very highly as I thought he might not make the squad after the season he had. But he was excellent v the USA.
Is it? He has been unavailable for periods for personal reasons so wasn't in a position to factor into Farrell's plans a lot.
If Ryan's performances haven't lifted by next season then yeah, I'd drop him from the 23. Beirne and Henderson give us a very strong secondrow pairing and Baird is an excellent impact sub. Coombes and Doris can lock up 6 and 8 and Conan will have a say in that area too. On current form Ryan shouldn't be there and it does more harm than good keeping a player in the match day squad in the hopes that they find form, especially when their replacements are performing to a much higher standard.
Having said all of that I don't believe Farrell will drop Ryan from the starting 15, let alone the 23. Nevertheless he shouldn't be considered untouchable.
I think Keenan has the 15 jersey locked down for the foreseeable.
With regards wing, in the short term, you’re also forgetting Earls. For me it’s Earls, Keenan +1 other.
I think it is pretty clear Farrell does not rate Conway - why I have no idea as for me he is way ahead of Stockdale & Lowe.
Thrower always gets blamed. I felt Ryan was far more at fault for the lineout issues at the start of the USA game than Kelleher.
Addison is made of chocolate.
I'm not really discounting the possibility of someone displacing him, but I don't see any reason to [i]search[/i] for someone to replace him which is what putting Stockdale there would be doing.
I'd move him only if we don't produce wings that can defend Lowe is abysmal, Larmour cannot field the garryowen and Stockdale is a poor defender.
Of course, Balacoune and Conway could be the answer.
Addison would be well capable of displacing him if he returns to form. Had a very solid showing albeit on the wing.
But I think he's a supremely talented individual
Keenan has looked like he is capable of locking down the 15 jersey for the foreseeable. I don't know why you would move him.
There's zero reason to swap Stockdale and Keenan.
Agreed on Carbery. This lad is supposed to be the heir apparent. Our next mainstay ten. He only looks alight. We need to keep looking if he doesn't improve.
I wasn't impressed with Carberry tbh. I thought he was ok. The Eagles were awful! So we looked good against a poor side. Coombes should have played against Japan imo. Impressing against a poor side is really not impressing.
On another note, James Ryan would probably be better off had he been given the summer off! He hasn't looked good since the concussions. I am concerned for his future, repeated concussions are not a good omen. Hopefully, he returns strong.
Balacoune will be in the running as a starter. Stockdale, Lowe and Larmour will be under pressure. A healthy Conway leapfrogs all 3 imo. Wing is an area of weakness! Our starters can't defend. Maybe Keenan on a wing with Conway or Balacoune. Stockdale at fb? Or Addison.
Very, very strong showing from him.
First throw was on the money also and uncharacteristically went straight through James Ryans hands. Second one looked like he threw a smidge early and he'll be disappointed for it if so.
11 won 2 lost is still an good return and he did have 2 excellent throws to the tail which were on the money.
I've seen better throwers than him over the years get a bit yippy after losing the first few lineouts so to see him respond well was promising
Joe managed to cap a huge amount of players but was still accused of been conservative.
All coach's will get accused of been conservative especially when they don't pick XYZ from a certain club that the person supports.
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