Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

I'm slightly concerned that we're getting closer to the Autumn Internationals and we've yet to see Furlong, Lowe or Keenan play this season. They'll need a few matches to get themselves ready for South Africa. Time is running out. They're all key players and I wouldn't want to face any of our opposition without them.

There's some depth at wing so Lowe could potentially be replaced well enough. We'd still miss his playmaking ability however. But we've a huge problem if Keenan and Furlong are missing. They're by far the best players in their position. If both are missing there's a sizeable drop off in quality to the next player.

Keenan has started 17 of Ireland's last 18 games at full back. No harm in someone else getting a run this November.

And honestly, I don't care if Furlong doesn't play until October next year if it means he's fully fit and at his best for the World Cup. He's to Ireland what Tuilagi is to England. Just do whatever it takes to get him onto the field. He's that important to us. Him and Sexton are the two we can't afford to lose.

Lowry top of the queue to come in in Keenan’s absence you’d imagine, but could be interesting to see if Carbery goes well at 15 2nite if he might be considered there.

We need cover for both, the Autumn tests are the time to do it so while I can see why you'd be concerned in the short term, long term we need options.

Apart from the Italy game in the 6Ns when was the last time Keenan didn't start at 15 for Ireland?

I mean a lot can change in the blink of an eye in rugby. But Keenan is 26 and will be 27 at the end of this season. We're pretty good in terms of long term health at fullback

Lowe is very replaceable. Keenan ... we haven't explored enough options in his absence. Furlong we need to wrap in cotton wool for the big occasions

Carty's goalkicking was poor, but his actual play I thought was very good.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. The two best out halves behind Sexton are Carty and Burns.

But somehow I think we'll once again have the deadly duo of Murray and Carbery on the bench for November, even though they shouldn't be in the Munster team, let alone the Ireland 23. The Irish reserve halfbacks should be Cooney and one of Carty/Burns. It's not perfect but it's the best we've got.

Well Oli has been named for the New Zealand XV squad that will be touring and playing Ireland A amoung others.

That will serve to tie him to New Zealand. While props tend to peak later I wasn't expecting him to come good and play internationally for Ireland I did expect him to feature at one of the provinces at some stage.

That probably won't happen now.

Doak maybe too.

The squad will be minus some lads. The likes of Stockdale will miss out due to injury. Aki is suspended and I think Hume is injured? I hope Osborne gets a call up. At least into the wider squad and I think Doak will.

If JGP is out does Murray come in? I hope not, he's not up for it. I would promote Casey and bring in Marmion or Cooney! Maybe even Doak.

Carberry should be omitted. He's awful! There's no hiding the fact that he can't tackle a packet of Tayto. HB should also be omitted! He's not played and so called potential is not enough to pick a lad. I'd prefer see Burns or even RB back in the squad.

Ringrose for right wing. ;)

It seems a bit unclear whether this NZ side is the NZ XV, i.e. their second side, or just a NZ XV. I read somewhere that the New Zealanders had said something to the effect that it wasn't their official second team.