Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

Clegg · 20-11-2022 07:59PM

I think it's right to start considering James Ryan as one of our best players again. He was excellent in New Zealand and has kept his form up. Made some huge contributions against South Africa and Australia, especially at the lineout. Stole two opposition attacking lineouts on our own 5m line.

https://twitter.com/Murray_Kinsella/status/1594373661724901376?t=0DLTAkntgKp62XmDMe0yRA&s=09

Clegg · 20-11-2022 11:08PM

Josh van der Flier.

Best player in the world.

https://twitter.com/IrishRugby/status/1594452267670847489?t=05GnZeu-1AFAs_rPhtJ0hQ&s=09

Former Former Former · 20-11-2022 11:12PM

Absolutely deserved, incredible achievement

stephen_n · 20-11-2022 11:17PM

Well deserved. Even though Savea wasn’t nominated and he definitely should have been, I think VDF still deserved it.

Faugheen · 20-11-2022 11:41PM

I've been banging that drum for a long time and I'm delighted to see it being recognised. He's been excellent in the last 18 months-2 years.

phily2002 · 20-11-2022 11:48PM

Sexton, Furlong and Beirne also making the dream team. Good representation for us overall.

connachta · 21-11-2022 12:42AM

Hensen and Sheehan for the least unlucky to be ehind Cappuzo for revelation of the year

21-11-2022 09:15AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119898628#Comment_119898628

I think Ryan has been absolutely brilliant since the summer. He was never as bad as people said he was. He's clearly a leader within the team and squad. We're very fortunate to have him.

One thing though, does anyone think he goes into rucks in a slightly, eh, uncontrolled manner sometimes? I don't think he's been carded or even penalised for it but there's the odd one that I think is fairly on the edge. Agree with the tweet above though he's been incredibly physical recently. As stupid as this sounds but he was so young breaking through that maybe it's coming with age.

Also, what an honour for VDF. It's totally deserved and his name is going on a list along with some genuine all time greats.

pickarooney · 21-11-2022 09:27AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119899712#Comment_119899712

Twice in a row for Furlong for anyone wondering if it was only Irish people that rated him.

21-11-2022 09:52AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119900301#Comment_119900301

He's started something absurd like 9 consecutive Lions tests. I don't really think there's an iota of doubt anywhere over Furlong.

21-11-2022 10:18AM

I actually thought Hansen had quite a poor series, don't think his position is locked down.

21-11-2022 12:21PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119900458#Comment_119900458

I thought he had a terrific game against South Africa and I don't think any other wing option stood out this international window. I'd say his stock is up a fair bit, all fit I'd be astounded if Hansen / Lowe weren't our starting wings.

Dubinusa · 21-11-2022 02:14PM

If Conway comes back strong, I think he's definitely on the boat to France. Lads like Stockdale and Baloucoune need a serious run. Stockdale hasn't played much and has a lot to prove. JOB is versatile, that's probably key for him. He is good all over the backline, without being a lock.

Larmour will not make it. He's just our under the high ball and it hasn't seemed to improve. If he could improve in this facet, he would make it. It's a shame as he is like a phantom carrying the ball. He could skin a cat in a phone booth and destroy a backline. But, the negative impact of fielding is too much to overlook.

We really do not have much pace on the wings. Baloucoune aside, we're quite pedestrian.

Dubinusa · 21-11-2022 02:30PM

I wonder if the IRFU could host a EI type tour next summer. Or even an A squad to run out against some world cup qualified sides? There was the Tblisi event a few years ago. I would think that this type of challenge really does bring out some players.

awec · 21-11-2022 02:45PM

Baloucoune has been named on Ulster's injury list today (hamstring), which may explain why he wasn't selected at the weekend.

phily2002 · 21-11-2022 03:13PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119901617#Comment_119901617

Larmour was brilliant when he got back at the end of last season. He's just been really unlucky with injuries. He has something the other wingers don't have with his footwork. If he comes back in that form he'll make it. Conway also on form is brilliant.

I think it'll come down to form and injuries. Serious competition there which is great.

I'd go with the form 5 out this 6

Lowe, Keenan, Balacoune, Hanson, Conway and Larmour.

I can't see Earls or Stockdale getting back in unless there is injuries

21-11-2022 04:58PM

I'm going to guess Larmour doesn't make it. Even in that fantastic form last season he wasn't making the Irish 23.

21-11-2022 07:50PM

You'd forget about all these awards but just saw on twitter as a reminder, VdF also won European player of the year, Irish players player of the year and Irish rugby writers player of the year. Some going.

Dubinusa · 21-11-2022 08:36PM

Vdf is so yesterday! So what if he's world player of the year, it's over rated! Lol.

Fantastic achievement.

AbusesToilets · 21-11-2022 09:08PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119902600#Comment_119902600

The Larmour from last season has everything JOB has and an ability to spark a break from nothing. Remember he's slotted into the centre fro Leinster and looked comfortable there. If he can get an injury free run, and play like he was last season, I think he takes a spot.

Podge_irl · 21-11-2022 10:00PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119900371#Comment_119900371

I haven't looked it up, but I'm gonna throw it out there that no he hasn't cause I'm not sure he had even started for Leinster before the 2013 test series.

I think he has 6 in a row with a good shout of more thought.

Lost Ormond · 21-11-2022 10:15PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119904045#Comment_119904045

Spot on Podge. Made Leinster debut in the October or November after that Lions summer. He wasnt even 21 years of age in 2013 for the tour...

Must love hardship · 21-11-2022 10:33PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119904128#Comment_119904128

It was a disgrace the way Gatland showed his anti irish prejudice again not picking Furlong to start all 3 tests on the 2013 tour... before he had made his debut for leinster.

21-11-2022 10:37PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119904045#Comment_119904045

Fair enough, obviously thinking of someone else then. 6 in a row still ain't bad.

RichieRich_89 · 22-11-2022 12:23AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119903712#Comment_119903712

I would say O'Brien is a better 15 and 13 (defensively, but also in terms of finding others with a pass), but Larmour is the higher level winger. JOB covers to a higher standard more of the positions they can both play, which means his versatility is more valuable in practice.

foxyladyxx · 22-11-2022 02:05PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119904736#Comment_119904736

I get the feeling that Jimmy O'Brien fits Farrell's game better. I am not a fan of Larmour and I suspect that Andy F feels the same. He gets into dead ends too much for my liking and often doesn't pass when a pass could potentially lead to a try.

foxyladyxx · 22-11-2022 02:09PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119906668#Comment_119906668

I don't know how to edit my post but intended to ETA that I don't feel that Baloucune or Stockdale will feature either. Hope I am proved wrong.

ionadnapóca · 22-11-2022 02:12PM

Just thinking about the disallowed try at the start of the 2nd half and the amount of times JGP took that ball down the short side. It was weird. I think Australia were even down to 13!

Appeared to be a common trend with the scrumhalf taking more of the play over the Nov. Even Murray made a break in the SA game!

Ireland played allot through Park and McCloskey v Aus. Obvious enough because it was just Crowley's 7th start in senior rugby! Given the circumstances I think he did excellently. This was no rabbit in headlights e.g. v Scot 6N '13.

Only big concerns Ireland must have is the lack of cutting edge on 1st phase and continued inability to capitalise when they have the numerical advantage.

8 games for the provinces before the 6N squad is announced. Andy on the phone to his old buddy about max game time for both Carbery & Crowley.

MurDawg · 22-11-2022 02:34PM

Most likely to lose a starting 15 spot?

Forwards: Has to be POM, Id have Beirne at 6 when Henderson is back.

Backs: Any winger has a chance based on form, Hansen was poor in 2/3 tests. Lowe was a big loss I thought.

Dubinusa · 22-11-2022 03:38PM

Problem is that injuries will play a part. The more lads comfortable in the system and who can play competently, the better. There's so many moving parts to a tournament and it's hard to get it right.

One of my concerns is the refs. There's such a disparity among the way they enforce the laws. Plus, the pressure they are under. Reffing France will be a nightmare, imo. Coaches talk about small margins and these are the worries. Can we as a squad interchange players comfortably? Can we manage or kick on if Sexton goes down? We need to go into the world cup confident. The last time out, there was doubt, there was only one plan and we were brutal.

Losing the qf in 2019 was bad enough but, the way we lost was the disappointing thing. We were outplayed and out coached. Farrell probably sees that we weren't great this autumn and will need to work on some things.

The squad is not set in stone yet. There's not much time left but there are some spots up for grabs.

Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

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