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.
Because Dorris is a far better player?
Coombes isn’t compete with Doris tho. He’s competing with Conan.
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.
He really isn't.
Edit: perhaps 6 or injuries.
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
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
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
Ridiculous statement. We're going into heslip territory here.
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.
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 think it's less about individual positions, and more about what combinations and units can deliver. If your 6 and 8 are selected for delivering your high tackle counts, then I don't think it particularly matters if POM is wearing 7.
He's started 7 games from 7 for Munster this season, for example. I think it's possible Connors or Timoney could be called in, but I'd still expect POM to start.
Its a pity that Italy have improved so much because you cant go there and rest a lot of your starting 15 anymore, there are a good few players in that 37 man panel that wont see any gametime.
Im not sure Coombes will see much gametime tbh. Maybe conans level is down a bit and coombes is improved but its still playing for a bench position because POM, vdf and doris is as good as it gets, and you have baird / beirne Who can slot in as well.
Same goes for Casey, not sure how much he will feature, JGP starts and Murray benches because JGP can be left on for 70/75 mins if needs be.
I suspect that Coombes Baird and Patterson are a 3 into 1 pick. That is to say that all 3 got picked but in reality they are fighting for 1 spot.
Will Earls get his 100th cap? And if he does will they give it to him as a starter like Murray?
Prendergast
I think yep and no.
I'd see him getting it at centre. No idea why!
Yep you are correct. My mistake. I don't know why.
I don't think Earls will features during the six nations. Definitely not twice, maybe once off the bench but not twice.
We haven't announced our world cup warmups yet. If there's 4 warmups I expect Earls will hit 100. If the two warmups announced so far (by our opponents) are it Earls probably won't hit 100 imo.
Baird at 6 after o'mahony. Unless they bring conan in at 8.
Happy with all of them.
I reckon Earls will bench this six nations, and he’ll get to 100 by end of 2023 if not sooner
With your last sentence you've lost me completely. These two have brought us to the best place we've ever been.
Ah ignore that nonsense, poster wants to have something to quote in-case we lose against Wales.
How could he get sooner than by the end of 2023?
Six nations, warm ups, world cup
I've been very impressed with Baird at 6 and think he has huge scope there. O'Mahony was incredible in the summer and I'm hesitant to write him off given what he offers but I think with Baird, we have another potential game breaking backrower on our hands for the world cup.
Personally, I'd like to see him start against Wales and beyond to aid his development there.
I like Coombes as he's something different too but the comparisons to Doris are a bit bizarre. Doris is the complete backrow and probably the form backrow in the world right now.
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