That's a great shout on VDF. He has been central to Leinster's excellent strike plays from set piece attacks. I've seen him throw perfect 20 metre passes off either hand from the base of the lineout to an oncoming receiver.
I've so rarely seen a good player improve so many facets of his game to an elite level, later in their career. He's the most rounded backrow in Europe imo. Although I do think Doris has greater capacity at certain aspects of the game.
I agree - I'd have him in there.
Yeah, VDF's passing is just excellent. A lot of Leinster's (and Ireland's) creativity from lineout drives comes from the skillset VDF brings. When he's on the ball at the back of a maul, he's capable of a 20m pass to the 10, a variety of shorter options, or is a really effective carrier in his own right. I don't think there is another back row in Ireland with that in the locker.
At whose expense? Coombes? Prendergast? Baird?
I would say Prendergast. Hodnett is as close to a like for like replacement for VDF as we have. In my opinion Hodnett is a smarter player with a higher ceiling. I don’t think Prendergast did well on tour last summer - looked a little out of his depth tbh.
VDF played 9 for a lot of junior rugby
When VDF came onto the scene I thought he was a special player yet I was surprised that he was being talked down in some Leinster circles who were of the view that certain players from certain schools were far better. Interesting how things worked out.
Or just bring 43, the squad was originally meant to be 45 right?
Yeah, that's what I'd have done - brought Hodnett, another THP (Salanoa I guess), and another 10 (Harry Byrne I suppose).
What I love about VDF is how he has evolved season-to-season.
He was the best player in the world last year, mainly due to his explosive carrying. Getting POTY will put a massive crosshairs on you when defenders are lining up to smash you. He must have decided (and coaches probably) to alter his game to become more of a link player/passer. The amount of Ireland/Leinster tries this season that he was involved in is crazy, mostly linking up with backs in the wide channels.
He won't get as many plaudits this season but he's been just as effective imo.
Exactly
So you’re getting rid of the only other out and out 6 in the squad behind POM ? If you’re kicking prendergast out of the squad based on what happened last summer Coombes would be in exile. Coombes has actually been dropped from the squad in the last year, where as prendergast had been the 24th man in the 6 nations, so arguably the next man in.
Was Prendergast not playing 8 recently?
He has started the last few games there recently yeah, but it’d be a similar situation of moving Doris to 6 to accommodate Conan. SHL was in great form so Prendergast got moved to 8 to accommodate this.
Prendergast has also slotted in at lock for Connacht and against Fiji. So has a bit of versatility to him.
I’d be more inclined to bring Milne than Harry Byrne. Having 4 props on each side would make more sense.
Beirne is a world class 6, Baird is more than capable of playing there at the top level. We are far more exposed at 7.
Yeah, I get that, and arguably Frawley is the 4th 10 in there anyway.
Loughman would be ahead of Milne, but Loughman should be there instead of Kilcoyne.
Penny, Connors, Hodnett and Timoney lost out to POM's ability to play 7.
Farrell didn't pick a squad to cover all injury eventualities, he picked the best players to populate a 33-man squad for the RWC.
Doris, POM and even Beirne are more than capable at playing at 7. And probably to a better level at the World Cup than Hodnett who’s never been in camp before.
Personally I’d have had Hodnett in the squad as a 43rd man, but not at the expense of any of the other back rows included, apart from maybe Coombes
He was Leinster's best player after Ryan went off. If was ultimately a losing effort, but he was exceptional in the Champions Cup final.
The fact so many fans from other countries are complaining about his 'illegal' ruck work shows how good he is. Straight out of the McCaw begrudgery playbook. Same with Ryan actually.
Baird is a far better 6 than Prendergast will ever be. Prendergast looked out of his depth at the level below International while Baird has shown that he is comfortable at that level and will get better.
Prendergast looked out of his depth at the level below International
You might think this but Andy Farrell very clearly does not.
Ah that's a bit harsh. I'm a huge fan of Baird, but Prendergast is also an exceptionally good player for a guy who just turned 23 a few months ago. He's a real leader in that Connacht squad too, and was immense in their URC win up in Ravenhill.
Maybe harsh and perhaps I will be eating my words. To be honest I had great hopes for him on the tour to NZ last year and thought he really disappointed. Maybe, like Coombes, he took that on the chin and came back stronger this season but some players when they are at that level look comfortable on the pitch and others don’t.
I am a great fan of Coombes but I am also not convinced he is going to be a top class international although I think he can do a very good job with his power game against 2nd tier teams.
This is a forum. If we all just cheered Andy Farrell’s selections it would be a very boring echo chamber.
The one thing this forum does not lack is people criticising Andy Farrell's selections.
Baird is a very good player but do the Irish coaches see him as a 6 or a lock? History would suggest he’s seen exclusively as a lock in Irish terms.
You are completely underestimating Prendergast. I would hazard a guess that you probably haven’t seen him play since the maori matches last summer?
Actually you’re right, I forgot Loughman wasn’t there already. Still can’t believe Kilcoyne was included.
Ridiculous call. Killer is now number 3 for Munster and rightfully so. He overachieved on his natural talent and did a good job in the Irish jersey. Never let the team down and was solid but not spectacular. But better options there now.
Absolutely bizarre call, really hard to fathom
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