It may be down the the availability of genuinely viable alternatives.
Previously when Carbery wasn't especially playing well , he was still the next best 10 to Sexton.
That perhaps is no longer the case even if he is potentially personally playing better than he has in previous seasons.
If Carbery doesn't respond well to being dropped what happens if Ireland then needs him during the six nations. A low confidence 10 under massive pressure does not a performance make.
Tell you what, delaying the press conference until Monday was grade A trolling by Farrell.
Some men just want to watch the world burn.
Never really understood how it all works, but what does this selection mean for Stockdale...will he still lose his IRFU central contract as reported?
Then add that to the list of reasons why he's not an international-grade out half.
Then... he probably shouldn't be playing international rugby at all tbf. Not that I think this is how it'll go for him.
His selection is not related to his contract.
He will still likely lose it as his status has fallen since he got it. When he got the contract he was a certain starter, on his current form he doesn't make the 23. He's lucky to be selected at all tbh, definitely a case of having some credit in the bank from a few years ago.
Carbery starts for Munster, he's not injured.
Also Keith Earls can't make a Munster european squad but can somehow get into Ireland camp...
He's definitely well off the boil. But hopefully he can get back to his best
Yep, it's not a very good selection is it.
A very harsh assessment. Personally I think Carbery has never let this team down.
My own take on Byrne's inclusion is that Sexton is not ready or unsure if he'll be ready.
Plan B for Leinster is Byrne. Farrell is been prudent and is going with Plan B for Wales and France.
Dropping Carbery is harsh but I'll give the benefit of the doubt to Farrell on this one. Maybe it's just good management.
I hope that they will be ultra cautious with Sexton and hold him back until after the Wk2 break at least.
If he doesnt respond well then we got our final answer as to weather he's cut out for test rugby or not.
The only thing you would say is that Rowntree needs to build a squad for the next few years. Farrell isn't thinking beyond the RWC.
Still a bit mad tho!
I think Farrell massively values Earls' character and influence in a squad. He's referenced his toughness, professionalism and mental resilience a few times. I agree that on form he doesn't deserve to be there, and I don't expect him to make the 23.
But Irish rugby squads can be very samey. Most players cut from the same cloth, similar backgrounds, life experiences, etc. Earls is very much cut from a different cloth to your typical rugby player in Ireland and I think that's something Farrell values when cultivating a high performance environment. By all accounts he's a key leader in the squad who commands massive respect and is a positive influence in camp.
When Andy Farrell says he's "in awe" of how tough a guy is, you know they guy in question must seriously be tough as nails. I think there's definite value in having a guy like that involved in an Irish rugby squad. If Earls' being there gets an extra 5% out of other players, his selection is absolutely worth it.
Henderson, Aki and Earls all not selected for this weekend, while Murray is benching, and Crowley playing 12 while Carbery is at 10 and Healy at 22.
At least Stockdale has been selected left wing for Ulster.
This is a good point. It seems to be that Carbery was dropped for Byrne. Crowley was already in squad in the Autumn and started a big game v AUS. Byrne's form has been much better than Carbery's of late and he has been justifiably included as a result.
I think Henderson is injured.
Tadhg Furlong finally takes his rightful place at outside centre.
Don't think he's injured, I think he's on return to play protocol after a HIA last week.
Okay, tomayto / tomato, but not available for selection. The post I was responding to was implying he'd been dropped / not selected.
Wasn't implying they were all dropped, specifically that they weren't selected, all have varying reasons for that of course.
Point being that it's so close to the 6 nations, if not playing for their province it's not ideal prep.
Stockdale was great 3 years ago. He's just not as good now. Hard to believe, really. I saw a post saying that he hasn't scored a try for 800 minutes or so.
When/If he loses the central contract, his reaction will be interesting. I wonder if he will get back to where he was?
Loved ROG's interview on OTB about Carbery. I love how absolutely straight he is. At one stage, the interviewer was going for the soundbite by asking:
The comeback side of Carbery's brain is fairly well trained given all the injuries he's had to come back from as well, so in some ways if there's one player who can come back from a knock like this, it probably is Joey Carbery.
ROG's response?
No there's loads of other players. There's loads, it happens at this level.
His number one focus should be putting together a string of games.
He was out for a huge amount of time and since his return he has been in and out with seemingly minor injuries (missing one game then back etc.).
He needs to get playing consistently to find some form , given the time away from the game it's impossible for him to just immediately "click".
*sigh of relief*
Sam Warburton:
"I thought I was going to be very pessimistic for this Six Nations but I'm actually unusually excited and I think an upset against Ireland isn't off the cards with them coming to Cardiff.
"It's a massive, massive game. If we lose that game we've got three away games. If we win that game it completely changes the outlook of that tournament and blows it wide open.
"I think there'll be an enormous emphasis on beating Ireland and if they can then you could be looking at some big upsets moving forward."
Gonna be a big un!
I think Wales be me well up for this one.
I'm worried about the Wales games as Gatland will have them at a high pitch emotionally. But when I sit back and think about it, I find it hard to think of ways for Wales to get into the game. We are better than them across the pitch.
I think it will take an awful lot to go wrong on the day.
I find it hard to think of ways for Wales to get into the game
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