Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

Carbery got Man of the Match in that game. It was definitely a little generous, but as far as I recall, he wasn’t bad in that game from an attacking perspective by any means. His bigger issue is definitely in defence imo.

But the bigger issue for Ireland is that there isn’t much between any of the 3 OH’s you’ve listed in your post.

Neither Burns nor Carty have ever actually shown they can do this either.

They're both pretty mediocre players and Carty in particular is just too flawed at the basics to ever be an option.

If you want to argue that they could do it if given more chances in green, fair enough, but no way have either of them shown any of these qualities for the national side to date.

I don’t have much argument there, but the larger point I’m making is that I don’t see the alternatives being much of an improvement (if an improvement at all).

I think they'll probably stick with Hansen. Baloucoune was fit for the Italy match in the 6N, if memory serves, but they still stuck Hansen at 14.

I'd like to see Baloucoune get a bit of gametime at 13 for Ulster. If he could cover outside centre as well as both wings he'd be a real option as #23 if he doesn't get the nod to start on the right wing.

Considering Carbery missed nearly two years of rugby, whatever these guys lack, opportunity was not it.

I’d agree with this.

He is a good playmaker, but our backline is stacked with good playmakers (Ringrose, Aki, Henshaw, Keenan, Lowe), but nobody with out and out pace. No strike runners who can create scores from nothing and genuinely scare defences. We don't have a Jordan/LRZ/Korobeite/Kolbe/Watson type player. It's something we really lack IMO.

I've never seen him play 10 and I don't think he's ever started a game at 10, certainly not at senior level.

He hasn't scored a try since February and has 1 try in 6 tests, so I don't agree with this.

I'd also have question marks over his defence. He's very skinny for an international rugby player and he get's overpowered in contact a lot. He's a good player, but I'm not convinced he should be a regular starter for us.

For those that think Baloucoune can't playmake..

Baloucoune rightly lost out to Hansen in the starting 15 at the 6N (for, I think, the one game Bobby was fit?) but was name-checked by Farrell when he sustained his injury that ruled him out from the NZ tour.

"Doesn't seem to be hugely enamoured" seems a bit wide of the mark - wouldn't be surprised if he's rated ahead of Larmour.

Keenan is a far better playmaker than Ringrose.

Baloucoune is a miles better defender than Larmour.

I think ye may be forgetting about Conway who was only replaced due to injury and has consistently shown up in a green jersey. He will be back soon too and will have a huge stake to re-claim before the Six Nations and RWC

Quelle Surprise lol.

You're a pretty difficult person to converse with my friend. Because you disguise "genuine discussion" with just disagreeing with people.

Consistent disagreement does not equal discussion. A concept lost on many people.

I don’t expect him to start ahead of any of those, but would love to see him hit 100 off the bench.

I think both he and Larmour are good fits for the 23 jersey, but Farrell has shown a willingness to put dedicated centres there too.

I’d also disagree that Larmour was comfortably ahead; Larmour was on fire going foward at the end of last season, but Earls’ defence is still top class.