Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

Wasn't that Darren Cave?

This guy switched to league after school but is Irish qualified through his grandfather.

I just watched some clips of him playing league in Australia and my god he's an absolute monster. 6'7 and 130kgs.

If someone in the IRFU isn't trying to do a Ben Te'o and get him up here, they should be. 😂

Some big seasons coming up for some Irish internationals. I expect Baird to be the incumbent 4 at Leinster now (if he wasn't already) that Fardy is gone. For me he is the perfect hybrid 4/6 type player for international rugby, but that spot seems to be with Beirne. Will Baird nail down the 19 jersey or push for more starts? It will be interesting to see how Coombes fits in. He seems like someone who will excel on the International stage, even more so than for his club, in a similar vein to POM and Stander who have been quite anonymous for Munster recently but always seem to step up for Ireland, I'd like to see him tested in the Autumn.

Dilemma for Farrell in the centre, Ringrose or Aki? I'm not quite sure how good Carbery is anymore, does H.Byrne deserve more of a shot?

Team for Japan and possibly New Zealand:

1. Healy
2. Kelleher
3. Furlong
4. Henderson
5. Ryan
6. Beirne
7. VDF
8. Coombes
9. Murray
10. Sexton
11. Balacoune
12. Aki
13. Henshaw
14. Earls
15. Keenan

Herring, Kilcoyne, Porter, Baird, Conan, Gibson-Park, H.Byrne, Larmour

I don't think Coombes will start over Conan and Dorris, also Balacoune over Stockdale/Larmour, especially for the NZ game, but this is my personal preference for testing these young lads.

It really depends on how much Frawley plays at 12 for Leinster before the Autumn, I can't imagine too much in important games if both RingShaw are fit. I don't see too much experimentation for the Autumn, maybe for the USA game.

When is Jackson's contract up at LI? The irfu should prioritise getting him back before the WC. Carberry isn't good enough and HB won't be ready imo.

It won't and it shouldn't. How it's still a thing with people I have no idea. Regardless of the sexual assault element, he was part of a group of guys who had their fun with a girl before leaving her crying and bleeding on the bed. That's a fact that wasn't disputed. I've no idea why anyone would want someone like that representing their country. I sure as hell don't. But then maybe some people are happy to tolerate a certain level of repugnant behaviour to facilitate their entertainment.

Lads, he's not coming back

I'd be of the same opinion tbh. Are you writing Ross off altogether though?

I think he has the ability to do this though. People bang on and on about Harry but hes never been absolutely amazing IMHO. He's had a few good outings in the PRO14 but thats pretty much it. Its hard to see him getyting a proper craic even in Europe with JS and his Ross are both fit.

stop this now, HB is going to becomes ireland's next 10 for the next two or three decades, fix the health service and unite all world religions.........

absolute sense spoken i have to say. hes a good player in fairness and he has great potential, but the talk of him being the second coming is a bit early tbh. if he ousts his brother or JS then maybe he should be in the conversation, but all the hype is a bit much when its about a player who is currently 3rd choice (at best) at leinster

He has the ability, as I said. But he's never done it in green, and he's had a fair few chances.

Harry will overtake Ross next season. He's a better rugby player. He just needs to stay injury free.

It will be interesting to see if that happens. People said the same about Joey, yet he was the one who ended up packing his bags. I think Leo likes Ross as his second pick, hes a player in the sexton mold, clever around the park, good decisions but not fancy a runner.

As a Leinster fan I obviously want Harry to be the second coming, but for me hes a little over hyped. Hopefully he quiets me down over the coming season.

By and large agree with you with the exception of Healy.

I think there is a very real possibility he plays at the next world cup if we wants it.

I know people are lamenting he's not the force of old etc etc regarding his carrying. But the fact remains he's the best scrummaging loosehead in Ireland and at present it's not close to second place.

World Rugby is littered with examples of props playing to a high standard well into their 30s.

Yes Healy will turn 36 during the next world cup. But I don't have many doubts that he's up to it.

im fine for 'calming down' to be honest, my post was a bit of a joke, take it or leave it.

lots of people are talking him up as the answer to all of irelands problems, suggesting ross gets passed over completely (along with billy burns) and harry is installed as the next long term FH.

he may well be a better player than ross, id be delighted if he is because ross is a fantastic player himself. if he does get more exposure in europe and does well, then of course he should be an option

for the moment, id suggest we all 'calm down' about him until then

We'll have to disagree there so. Sure Ross doesn't take it to the line like Sexton does, but in terms of kicking and finding space I think theres some similarities there. Sexton was hardly known for his wheels evenm in his prime.