Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

Suppose VDF misses the world cup? Suppose Connors does to. What experience against top level teams does Timoney have?

There's a fair chance that our back-up 7 is POM, not Timoney.

And one other thing. I've heard a lot of people complaining about "not building depth" and "repeating the same mistakes as the last cycle".

Was depth really our problem at the last world cup? I'd have said that our obsolete game plan, lack of evolution of said game plan post the 2018 GS, persistence with underperforming players, and performance anxiety as a result of an over-controlling coach, were far bigger problems than our depth.

I can't think of an example of a player being called upon due to injury, and then underperforming due to not being given enough exposure in the build up. I genuinely can't.

For the first 20 minutes of the Japan game, things were going great and Carty was pulling the strings really well. And let's not forget Sexton was also on the pitch when things turned to sh*t against England, Wales and NZ. I don't think Sexton would have made much of a difference.

Right! It's possible that was Farrells goal. Winning this series would be fantastic. Although, I think winning the 6nations is a better achievement!

I think Farrell has been very good! I wasn't chuffed when he got the job but, I was in favor of giving him the full cycle. He's done some good stuff.

I don't believe that we'll test many or any fringe lads in the autumn.

The whole building depth thing is only 1 aspect to squad management. It’s important, no doubt, but it’s still just 1 of a number of elements. I think the big thing that Farrell wants from this tour is getting the experience in our starting XV of winning big, high pressure games away from home. Remember, the RWC is effectively a tour. And there’s a bunch of guys in our 23 who are on their first ever tour now, and the only one they’ll be in before the RWC. It’s great having depth and all, but if we don’t have the mentality that we can win big, high pressure games away from home on the bounce (which we’ll have to do in the RWC and which can only truly be learned by actually doing it) then the depth won’t really matter that much in those knock out games.

when Ireland are putting players through 3 HIA tests to play a game

This is the protocol mandated by World Rugby.

The England guys (Itoje anyway) were ruled out after failing the second, post-game assessment. This is the 'early diagnosis of concussion' test - the HIA assessment during the game is only for 'potential concussion'.

TLDR Ireland are doing exactly as dictated by the governing body and exactly as other teams are doing.

He's easily one of the best pundits in Ireland. I think a lot of the big name pundits here are full of cliched waffle. Jackman is certainly one of the good ones.

.....

I'm hoping Milne makes a return and lights it up. I think Boyle needs to grow physically. Same with Wycherly. Loughman can do a job in the meantime. He was really impressive this season. At loosehead, as far as young prospects go there's

Wycherly

Milne

Reid

Boyle.

Tightheads that are young bucks

O'Toole, he's in pole position

Aungier

Clarkson

Knox, French

And coming along soon there's Rory McGuire! Scott Wilson, who looks superb! Kieran Ryan! Underage also and McSweeney, who needs a lot of development.

Haddon is an u19 with potential and Michel is going into Connachts academy.

I think gearing up for 2027 will be interesting.