Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

Hmmmm, I think I'd go with

Baille

Marchand

Malherbe

Ethzebeth

Beirne

Doris

Vdf

Alldritt

Dupont

Sexton

Mapimpi

Fickou

Ringrose

Prnaud

Keenan

Well when you look at the stats FTD posted in the other thread. It’s not really that wild a claim, as Doris had arguably a stronger year than VDF on paper. Truth is both have been world class this year.

Big trouble if Sexton is out. Thought Crowley had a bit of a stinker against Ulster. Carty, Carbery and Burns aren't the answer either.

Would be very tempted to break glass and go for Ross Byrne.

Really? I didn't see this at all. I thought he was pretty good (for a guy who has barely played 10 since the Australia game).

Just looked in the Munster thread and I'm very surprised by the stick he's getting. He's been playing almost solely at 12 since November. He got a start at 10 tonight and I think looked pretty sharp. He needs game time. He's never going to develop at 10 if he's playing one game a month at 10 and the rest at 12.

Yes. I think Munster really struggled in the first half to find any attacking in roads bar a strong Fekitoa carry through traffic.

Fwiw that's not entirely down to Crowley. The structure in attack still isn't bedded in yet. There was a lot of passing to static forwards.

The problem with Ross Byrne is that he doesn’t suit Ireland’s style whatsoever.

Imo, Crowley was decent in the first half (kicking from hand aside, which was really poor from both Munster half-backs) and much better in the 2nd half. Obviously his break from 12 late on was a huge turning point in the game.

(Tbh, I thought his performance from 10 vs Ulster in Thomond was better).

But overall, I’d still comfortably have Carbery ahead of both Crowley and Ross Byrne for the 6 Nations if Sexton isn’t available. Especially given his form prior to the Leinster game.

I’d be surprised if Ross Byrne is 2nd choice tbh.

He did really well with the winning penalty in the Autumn. But his place kicking was never in question.

It’s his general play that is. (In the same game, he handled the ball 3 times. He threw an intercept in 1 of those phases).

And since then, Carbery has been in really good form, other than the Leinster game.

And that’s without mentioning that Crowley started ahead of him in that game vs Aus.

I just don’t think he suits out style or play at all tbh.

Jordan Larmour has impressed me a lot since his return from injury. His broken field running is as impressive as ever, but he's also playing with a lot of calmness as well. After making the initial break he's drawing defenders in and passing to the free man. Keeps the attack going. His work rate has been excellent too. He moves off his wing a lot in order to contribute to the attack.

He has a lot of ground to make up on the likes of JOB and Baloucoune, but he continues to play well I can see him making the Six Nations squad.

I'm not sure who I'd go with. I suppose Crowley will get into the squad. He's not played much at 10. He won't get picked as a center. I hope Munster start him next week

RB is limited. But he's better than Carty and Burns. Neither should be involved. HBB doesn't have the minutes. I reckon it's Carberry, Crowley and RB.

It will be Carbery.

This isn't even a debate.