Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

I wouldn’t be entirely serious about this - it would be cruel to punish the Mods in this way - but it makes for a welcome change.

I think you're off about Argentina there. It wasn't random that they were 'hot' when they've beaten us at the WC, we were shite (there are always reasons) and they had done their homework and came ready to play. They've come third and fourth which isn't the record of a team who perform poorly at the World Cup and happen to have a hot streak when we come up against them. On neutral grounds they have a better record against us, 4-3. Their inconsistency comes from the period when they had no regular international competitions to participate in and subsequently playing 3 of the best teams in the world every year. Argentina does show that even good teams who come ready for it have a mountain to climb to get through the semis. Wales are another who you could say the same about. I'm confident about Ireland this year, some doubts about a couple of positions nothwistanding, but the biggest challenge is the mental stuff without a doubt.

Out of interest, I've had a quick look at the stats.

We've had 19 Tests vs Tier 1 nations in the last 2 seasons. Every single one of them has had some combination of POM, VdF, Doris and Conan in the starting 15. (You have to go back 3 seasons to CJ's time for that to change)

The 4 incumbents have taken all 4 back-rows spots (including the bench) in all but 2 Tests. (vs Argentina, when Conan was injured, and vs Japan in the Summer when Conan was with the Lions, where Timoney and Coombes respectively were on the bench).

It amounts to a total of 31 mins to anyone competing for a back-row spot outside of the 4 incumbents.

That seems like the definition of not getting any "luck*" with injuries to get an opportunity. (*For want of a better word).

Look, fair enough; I just think saying "he's not good enough" for Coombes, while saying "maybe he needs a break, with injuries elsewhere" for Frawley seems inconsistent.

The way it's worded suggests if Frawley got his chance, he might be able to take it, but no such benefit of the doubt is afforded to Coombes.

When you factor in what we've seen from Coombes in Europe, comparative to Frawley, yes I think it's harsh.

I think Coombes is good enough to make the 33-man RWC squad. If you can point me to where I've said otherwise, please do.

I think Frawley needs a bit of luck or some really strong performances in training to make the 33-man RWC squad.

How is that inconsistent?

I've explained it all in great detail. You pulled some quote I may or may not have made about Coombes months ago, out of all context, and you're now deliberately drawing false equivalences between two completely separate and unrelated questions in order to make it look like I'm only saying things based on provincial bias. I am not. You just keep parroting "yeah but you said..." and making zero effort to actually engage because of your personal issue with me.

I'm done with this. I will not be responding to any more of your posts on any issues.

Enough with Coombes, he'll be put out to pasteur soon enough. Quinn and Gleeson will upend the applecart.

I went to the effort of getting the stats showing there have been scant opportunities for back-row players outside the incumbents in the last 2 seasons. That's not zero effort to engage.

I'm simply pointing out that opportunites due to injury is a factor in selection for every player, be it Coombes, Frawley or whomever.

And as there's been scant opportunites in the back-row, I think it's harsh to come to the conclusion that Coombes isn't good enough to do what Farrell asks.

(Fwiw, I have zero issue with you; I have an issue with some of your arguments. They're not the same thing).

that was my thinking too. i also had a thought that POM would move to 7 and Beirne would be at 6 more often but in fairness Hodnett and Kendellan have been hard to leave out, JOD has done a job too

When does Farrell reduce the squad to 33?

According to the rules the 33 man squad must be announced by 1 September.

I suspect that it may be announced around 21/22 August as thats when the Irish team is moving to their French training base for final preparations.

Probably gives players one last chance to make the squad and also makes sense to name the squad after the last match in case one or 2 players picked up a knock.

Also I'm with Sexton suspended there needs to be 2 10's in the squad match day squad and a "23rd man" who can cover 10.

They’re planning to be in France for two months, giving players a couple of days with their families will probably help moral