It depends on what the coach wants from their no.8.
It really doesn't. Coombes is playing very well, but there is no course on which you pick him over Doris. Doris is incredibly powerful in the tight as well, and excellent at the breakdown. He's just also fast and a good passer.
I suspect it'll be RB too. If it is, it'll be interesting to see who gets picked as the sub SH. Personally, would like to see Casey.
Ridiculous statement. We're going into heslip territory here.
VDF and Dorris are our 2 best back rows and guaranteed to start when fit(currently) . So Coombes is competing with POM and Conan and the rest for a place in the match day squad.
Conan is in good form but not starting the big matches makes it hard to stake a claim. POM peaked in the second NZ test but hasn't been close to that form since.
I'd like to see Farrell start Coombes for Wales. It would send a good message about rewarding form.
Baird is the other option that Farrell would probably like, has size, power and lots of speed. He's still prone to the odd handling error but gets through a huge amount of work.
Personally, think the last sentence is way over the top. Even if you disagree with the selections, Farrell's results have absolutely earned him benefit of the doubt.
On the topic of a backup 7, can POM fill the role that VdF executes? POM has never been one for the high tackle counts and hard carrying in the way VdF does. I think if he went down with injury, Connors or someone else would be called in.
That was my opinion we will see in a few weeks.
The 8 players are easy spot and have been mentioned here since the squad has been named
Today's squad makes no sense and it is the same sh1t schmidt used to get up to
Who shouldnt have been picked in the squad then and who are the players on form who should be replacing them?
I think thats a very pessimistic and unfair prediction of where we are right now
Nonsense, there's a few odd calls but we still have a really strong 23. We should win the 6 nations. Lots of tough games but we'll be the favorites in all. Scotland and Wales are poor. Wales in Cardiff will be tough and potential banana skin but we should be winning. England could be good with the new coach but we'll beat them at home. France will be a big ask as they're probably the best team in the world but I'd still fancy us with home advantage.
Coombes has 7 offloads in the URC, same as Ringrose and Ngatai. Nothing wrong with his link play, he's got great hands. Had a lovely one handed take with a stray pass recently. 4th most successful carries. Top 10 for tries. 17 defenders beaten according to Munster stats. And he missed the first few weeks of the season in all that. Doris is more likely to give you a clean break. Both have great engines, both good in the lineout (Coombes better in that regard).
I don't think we saw the best of him at all in his international appearances to date for whatever reason, I'd back him to continue his form if given a chance.
Interestingly, Big Stu has the most offloads in the league.
For me Conan hit a peak of form that got his Lions call up but hasn't hit those heights since. Good player but not at the level of Doris or Coombes at their best.
All that said I'm happy enough with any combo really of our backrows, they'll all do a fine job
If farrell was picking on form which we are to believe is why carberry was omitted than we could name at least 8 players who have no business on that panel named today such is there poor form
I have looked at that panel and have come to the conclusion that panel is not good enough to beat France and will struggle fot Parity against England, Scotland and Wales
Today feels like farrell has being honest lost it
He really isn't.
Edit: perhaps 6 or injuries.
I think Coombes has shown recently that he can do. His link play has been more noticeable in the last few games from what I’ve seen.
Coombes isn’t compete with Doris tho. He’s competing with Conan.
Because Dorris is a far better player?
I saw Coombes being compared to Louis Picamoles elsewhere online , which probably isn't unreasonable in terms of playing style etc.
If Picamoles were around today, I think France would still be picking Aldritt - For all the reasons Ireland will probably continue to pick Doris.
I'd imagine if Keenan was hurt, they'd call up Haley?
It's strange though if that is the plan how little time he's ever been given in camp with the squad.
Haley yes. Osborne I could see there.
Carbery definitely. Why I was surprised he was left out.
Something going on in the background me thinks.
I'm pretty sure Doris has been picked to start every single game he's been available for under Farrell and he seems to just be getting better and better and better. That is not going to change imo. So I would reckon Coombes would have to convince the coaches he offers more than POM in order to break into the team.
I’ll be honest, if Keenan gets injured, i worry about who plays there. I thought JOB looked pretty unsure against Australia even at wing. I would trust Haley more at full back than him.
I think the same. Crowley will definitely feature in this 6N, but in my view the pecking order will be Sexton, Byrne, Crowley.
It wouldn't shock me entirely if Carbery was back in the squad at some point too over the course of the championship.
When you say a single poster or one poster? I really don't think their relationship status matters.
Yea, McCarthy is a dev guy even if not officially at a position of need.
I reckon RB. It will be a high pressure game, gatland back with Wales and the new coach bounce, having a more experienced player as back up to Sexton will swing it for RB imho
Yea, this. His form never mattered before lol.
Question: Who do you think will be the second choice outhalf for the Wales game?
Is Crowley still ahead of RB (as he was for Australia), or, will Byrne's form see him elevated?
I'm not sure it is horse's for courses though. We're not looking to beat teams up physically, we run them ragged with accurate varyied passing to pods of attackers and recycle fast. Coombes needs to be the horse that can do that.
I'm presuming a Ryan Beirne row and POM VDF Doris backrow.
Henderson Conan the likely bench but could be Henderson Baird who comes on at 6 on the bench. Harsh on Conan.
It depends on what the coach wants from their no.8. Doris is an all rounder, strong in most facets of play. Similar style of player to Kieran Read, athletic, good footballer, nuisance at break down and pacy. Coombes is a hark back to no.8s of yesteryear. Very strong, makes ground in contact, lethal from inside 5m, bosses it in the tight. He's a little caught for pace and athleticism vs. Doris and Conan. It's a horses for courses type of selection. If we were still playing Schmidt ball à la 2019, Coombes would have more caps.
Still getting my head around Carbery. I'm wondering given he's had a run of games has he not been able to show key improvements that a run of games was hoped to have delivered? I definitely thought he was playing better rugby. Still leaning towards defense.
Another factor is attitude and this more applies to Ross Byrne. It's a very tight Ireland camp, they seem to enjoy each others company and Farrell talks all the time about it being fun. Thought Ross Byrne has been a bit more mature and relaxed in his media exposure the last year or so - small things can play a part.
As has been pointed out he's turned games around single handedly recently and showing some nice flare. Bit of composure can go a long way.
Question: Will there be a nailed on second choice 10 by COB March 18th?
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