Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

From allblacks.com

Confirmation of the tour comes more than two years after the All Blacks XV was launched as NZR’s next senior national representative team after the All Blacks

So I am assuming that it ties to New Zealand for eligibility

I'm pretty sure James Lowe played for the Maori AB's so it probably can't be their 2nd squad

Jimmy O'brien might have something to say about that

Strongly disagree, JOB the way higher ceiling imo

I dunno about that. If we were playing in the morning, I'm pretty certain it'd be Lowry would be selected ahead of him.

Maybe as of right now, not sure that will remain to be the case

What areas in particular do you think JOB could turn out to be so far ahead in, that makes you think he has a way higher ceiling, out of interest?

Fwiw, Lowry's actually younger than JOB, so that doesn't make much sense to me.

As much as I like Jimmy as a player. Lowry is definitely the next cab after Keenan. He provides us a broken field threat to an extent that no one else does as well. He also fills that playmaker role. I think some people look at Lowry and just see his size. He’s excellent both in attack and defence. JOB’s ability to cover the wing might make him a better bench option though.

Let's see how Lowry fairs against the Lions, Sharks and then Munster..

The Sharks look a serious outfit with the Springboks returning.

Id imagine that ulster v Sharks game next week could be a serious test if both teams go with best 15's available.

To Quote MK:

"Eben Etzebeth starts for the Sharks tomorrow against Glasgow in the URC.

Jaden Hendrikse comes in at scrum-half.

Vincent Tshituka also into the starting XV.

Siya Kolisi, Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi, and Makazole Mapimpi onto the bench."

Well we can make a judgement of Lowry's size when he gets a chance. He's had one cap and scored two tries and set up another. Yeah it was against 13 Italians but so far he has handled what has been put in front of him

No doubt about it. Keenan has been a revelation. I didn't think he could reach the levels he has, and he's still young enough that he can get even better.

That said, the fact he is injured at the moment is exactly why someone like Lowry or O'Brien or whoever needs to get proper minutes in November.

just tryin to stop Oli Jager to move back to Ireland!

PS : hope not BTW

Could be looking at quite a new look backline in a few weeks. Gibson-Park, Stockdale, Lowe, Conway, Earls, Larmour and Keenan are all currently injured and have played little to no rugby this season, and Aki is suspended.

With the players available currently, my money would be on a back 3 of Hansen/Baloucoune/Lowry.

Centres will probably be Henshaw and Ringrose. But I think McCloskey will see minutes v Fiji.

9 will be very interesting if JGP is out. Murray IMO shouldn't be in the extended squad. Munster's attack ticks far better with Casey and I think we're seeing a changing of the guard there this season. I'd like to see Cooney given another opportunity. I know there were personality clashes the last time he was in Ireland camp, but nearly 2 years have passed, and I think he's easily still the 2nd best 9 in Ireland (if not the best). And I just think with the RWC less than a year away, we should be leaving no stone unturned, and a player of Cooney's quality can't be just frozen out forever. If we're to get past the last 8 we'll need all the quality we can get. I think he should get another chance at the very least.

But that was under a different coaching ticket. At some point Casey is going to replace Murray as first choice. I think there’s a good chance (and would like it to be) this season.