Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

There will be either 5 or 6 back 3 players.

Barring injuries I feel Hansen Lowe and Keenan are locked in.

I think JOB can lock himself in because of his ability to cover so many positions.

Then Baloucoune is in pole position for one of the remaining spots but not quite locked in.

But it will be one or two from Baloucoune Conway Earls or Stockdale with Haley Daly Addison and Lowry as outside chances.

yep.

I think we could see Garry Wingrose at some stage on Saturday

(Don't draw it on yourself is my advice, TRC....)

But he's now the 5th centre Farrell has put in the 23 jersey.

As good as Karmour is and he is superb, I can't see him make it. He's not as rounded as the others. In fact, his weakness under the high ball probably will exclude him. At fb he's decent. He wouldn't be as good as Haley or Lowry, imo. His positioning is just ok and then there's the high ball. He's the beat ball carrier on the squad and he has that X factor in multiples. But the negatives outweigh the positives.

i think haley is a better overall, if less spectacular, 15 than lowry, but he seems to be behind him and others in the pecking order

i know its based on current availability but id hope conway would be ahead of hansen and lowe at 15. much as he hasnt played there in a good while at this stage, i wouldnt be convinced by hansen or lowe there at all

if everyone mentioned is fit and available i dont think balacounce gets in the squad tbh, o brien would depend on how many centres/half backs are picked as his ability to cover different positions might be helpful. unless form changes massively in the meantime, i think conway has enough credit in the bank to be ahead of RB. i wonder if lowe and hansen will still be in form come rwc time though

if there is only one out and out 15 in the squad as i think there will be, id have conway in just as emergency 15 cover. id be very worried if carbery, lowe or hansen had to step in at 15 against a decent team

well looks like now we know ey

There's also the possibility that neither of them will be in the 14 jersey, if Lowe reclaims the 11 and Hansen moves across.

I'd like to see Baloucoune get a run at the Wallabies, he had a mixed game against SA and not many chances in attack.

Disagree and so does Farrell, being versatile makes you a good player lol. Having skills that broadly apply to a number of different positions is one of the best skills to have as a back three player and If JOB is deemed to be more versatile that means hes a better player and thus picked by Farrell

Sorry your son didnt get picked Ms Lowry, better luck next time

How can you say that JOB, who hasnt yet played for Ireland in the back three, is ahead of Lowry in the back three. Is there any chance that Farrell wants a look at him at full back and thats why he is starting this weekend, and it says absolutely nothing about the current pecking order?