Coombes was dropped after that performance against the New Zealand 15. That's what we have to go on right now. He clearly hasn't impressed Farrell and the wider coaching staff. He could play his way back into contention for the Six Nations, but he's running out of time.
As for the usage of this forum, that's an entire site wide issue. Boards isn't as popular as it used to be. There's still enough activity on this particular subforum.
WRT provincialism, there is some of that. And it's been particularly bad, or rather focused, in the last few days.
He’s pretty much doing everything he possibly can to play his way back into contention.
He’s been pretty outstanding since being dropped (maybe SA game excepting).
It’s not unreasonable for a poster to have that opinion and think he should be ahead of Conan.
It’s also not unreasonable to think Conan has produced more for Ireland in the past and deserves his spot.
But too often, aaaaany hint of criticism gets written off as provincialism. (And it’s not just the last few days. The Munster thread has been a nightmare for ages now).
It wasn't just that Coombes wasn't picked for the Fiji match, it's that he was dropped from the squad entirely, the only person to be so dropped. And what should have been his jersey for that game went to Max Deegan, a man for whom "international wilderness" was an understatement at the time. That tells me that it wasn't just the NZ XV game that was the problem.
This was absolutely not a good outcome for Coombes and I don't think it's outrageous to point that out.
It's apt because Lady Gaga is probably older than you'd think
It’s not outrageous to point that out.
It’s also not outrageous to point out he’s been in brilliant form since then.
Coombes played 5 times with Ireland including Twice in NZ against the Maoris where he scored 2 tries and 1 time with Ireland A
(ratings from rugbypass when available so not biased towards any province)
First game was 10 mins off the bench against a Beaten Japan - No ratings as he was not on long enough
2nd Game was starting against the USA in 2021
He scored a try
https://www.sportsjoe.ie/rugby/ireland-usa-player-ratings-231935
1st Maori game where Ireland Lost - Coombes scored a try and assisted another
https://www.rugbypass.com/news/ireland-player-ratings-vs-maori-all-blacks/
2nd Maori all blacks game where Ireland won and Gav scored a try
https://www.rugbypass.com/news/ireland-player-ratings-vs-maori-all-blacks-2/
The only other game he has played was for the Ireland A team against the NZ XV. Everyone played badly that day and the whole team was dominated, but even still, Rugby Pass gave Coombes a 6
https://www.rugbypass.com/news/ireland-a-player-ratings-vs-all-blacks-xv-autumn-nations-series/
Ultimately the only relevant question is whether he has done enough to be brought back into the squad. You'd have to think yes.
Whether he can overtake Conan will be decided then, definitely not now.
Does Coombes fit the team? Really playing well is one thing but, if coaches are looking for other things like mobility and speed, it doesn't matter. Back row balance is key. What is the make up of our best back row? Obviously, VDF is miles above the others. Doris is ahead of his competition and there's only one other up for grabs. Injuries will adapt the players and schemes. I.E, if VDF is out who's next up? I think it would be POM or Timoney. If Doris goes down? It's most likely Conan at the moment, he fits the structures and has been in the system.
Provincialism is one thing and yes, we're all guilty. The blindside position is likely POM; Doris (if Conan is at 8) and Prendergast. Prendergast has been insanely good since his debut. But, he's likely going to earn caps after the world cup. Saying that Conan has fallen off the edge is insane. He's fallen behind Doris and has Deegan (world u20 player of the year) to contend with. So, yea the standards are ridiculous. Coombes has no real contender to supplant him at Munster. At least until Gleeson and Quinn come through.
Basically, Farrell decides who fits the style and does the best job. JGP has nailed down the 9 jersey. I think there's others who could be better 9's but don't meet the requirements for that role.
That's all fair enough, and sure who am I to argue with Planet Rugby... but following the NZ XV game, Coombes was cut completely from the squad and his direct rivals, Prendergast and Deegan, were capped against Fiji the following week.
So if it wasn't his performance against NZ, then something else went awry for him, but the simplest explanation is usually correct in these things.
He's playing well and I hope he's named in the 6N squad but he absolutely has some ground to make up.
Coombes was a non entity in the first Maori game. You are the one trying to conveniently forget or perhaps re-write history. He was good in the second game. Maybe you should look closer to home for the blind provincialism.
I genuinely thought you were better than this but I suppose the mask finally slipped
Did you read what I was responding to? No comment on that no?
Report it
If we all reacted like you did where would the thread end up??????????
Prendergast has not been "insanely good" for Ireland, he's been grand and loves to give away a few stupid penalties every game, I wouldn't be surprised if he's not involved in the 6N squad.
Coombes does i feel and yeah balance is key but attributes Coombes brings makes him very handy in a swuad.
I think you are greatly overestimating prendergast.
Dont see what the point of mentioning Deegan being world u20 player of the year 6 years ago has with his rugby ability now.
I literally quoted RugbyPass (owned by world rugby) which said Coombes was the best Irish player that day.
Owned by World Rugby 😂 as if that matters.
Farrell clearly doesn't agree with their rantings, which is all that really matters.
Coombes, to me, has done enough to get back into the squad. But clearly he has ground to make up once he gets there.
Ehhh. Prendergast has been brilliant for Connacht. Fantastic player.
Deegan is a really good player, just like Coombes. I'm pointing out the obvious obstacles that come with being a #8 for Leinster. 3 really good players, it's tough to make make inroads after a year out.
Coombes on the other hand, has not got competition for his spot. The reason I mentioned Deegans u20 world player award was to highlight the depth.
It matters in they don't have the provincial biases that any Irish based journalist would have.
My 'Rantings' yeah. I'm ranting sure
Edit; at the time of the Maori game, all the talk was how Coombes must have forced his way in to the test side etc, but he didn't.
There's a bit of a pattern here, no?
Coombes does have competition... And mentioning Deegan u20 world player award is a bit like mentioning JJ hanrahan nominated for award. its irrelevant. inconsequential to a lot of players careers.
I said their rantings, and I meant ratings.
This isn't about our provincial biases. Farrell dropped Coombes (and only Coombes) from the squad. Its obvious he has work to do to get back into consideration for the 23. He will hopefully have a chance in the upcoming squad - but performances against the Lions certainly won't do it on their own.
Yeah. The pattern is, when there are choices to be made, the player who plays for Leinster gets picked
Cohesion and all that
Nonsense, Deegan won the award. Jj didnt.
Ya, but ultimately, 6+ years later, it's going to have zero influence on selection.
If anything, JJ being nominated should be a cautionary tale about how much you can read into the award at all tbh.
The pattern is that there are some people who fervently believe he is the bees knees and needs to be involved. And anyone who doesn’t 100% agree with that gets stick. You can say that he’s gone well and should be in the squad but if you in the same breath you say that Conan is ahead of him the former is irrelevant. There will be no acknowledgement that you’ve acknowledged his form or that you’ve been in any way complimentary of the guy. You haven’t agreed entirely and so you’re wrong and need to lectured to.
If anything, more than under any other coach, things can change quickly under Farrell.
Like Conan getting the start vs England. That was in large part due to James Ryan's injury and POM's red card in the Wales game.
Like JOB getting on vs SA. He got on the bench in large part down to injuries to Henshaw, suspension to Aki (and an injured Lowry?) and then got on due to a first half injury to McCloskey.
Coombes might need a few things like that to fall his way. It's a very competitive position.
That it hasn't happened yet doesn't mean he has nothing to offer. I'd love to see him getting a start vs Italy.
Backrow always seems to be a position with a lot of players getting through a lot of work that makes it seem as if they belong in the team.
Coombes is awesome. He needs to be in the set up imo. I'm not sure he will make the cut for the 23. Given that Conan and Dorris both play 6/8 when needed I consider those positions together. Conan POM and Doris are also awesome.
I do feel that despite Deegan getting ahead of Coombes in the AIs that Deegan has fallen behind now. Furthermore he is injured at the moment so won't necessarily get to play his way back in.
I wonder if Ryan Baird has a chance to add to his international tally. He seems to have changed position to 6 which adds to the congested backrow.
Na, sorry molloy, but that's not the full picture at all.
I've seen praise of Coombes described on here as "gassing him up" and "hype".
I suggested something as mild as Conan having a drop in form prior to the NZ summer tour, and got accused of all sorts.
There's absolutely a legitimate argument that Coombes deserves to be in and around the 23. There's also an argument that anyone suggesting that are the one's being lectured to also.
