Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

Absolutely.

The only reason Earls hasn't his 100th cap already is injury.

Mistyped

I hope this DOESN'T come back to bite us in the butt

Earls doesn’t need to start at 12, to cover it during a match.

I don’t see Earls being involved (if he even makes the 33) beyond being used for Romania and Tonga, and as a 5th choice back three. The likelihood of him starting 12 in a must win match should be zero, given I expect we will take 4 centres who would all need to be injured before that would happen. If however we are playing Tonga with what I expect will be a second string team, and a few injuries occur requiring a reshuffle of the back line then Earls could definitely move to 12 if required. It’s such a strange thing to get hung up on though. The main point being if 4 centres selected, and 4 back 3’s selected, then the utility player being a back three who can cover centre would be preferable versus an out-half/12 who can cover 13 and the back three.

Well there could be a view taken that IRFU are going against the spirit of the ban and World Rugby might appeal the decision

I'm not au fait with the full written laws around what a banned player can or can't do but I think playing behind closed doors doesn't mean it's not a game

FWIW, my expectation at this early juncture is that the 23 for SA (and every other must win match) will be a recognisably settled side that has won so much in the past year or two:

1. Porter, 2. Sheehan, 3. Furlong,

4. Beirne, 5. Ryan,

6. O’Mahony, 8. Doris, 7. Van der Flier,

9. Gibson-Park, 10. Sexton,

11. Lowe, 12. Henshaw, 13. Ringrose, 14. Hansen,

15. Keenan.

R: 16. Kelleher, 17. Healy, 18. Bealham, 19. Henderson, 20. Conan, 21. Murray, 22. Crowley, 23. Aki.

There are definitely debates to be had around 12, 20 and 22.

Indeed there could be debates over a few other positions too.

I reckon the 10 other squad members to make up the 33 will be as follows:

Herring, Kilcoyne, O’Toole, McCarthy, Baird, Prendergast, Casey, Byrne, McCloskey, O’Brien.

I think Earls is the next man up if any centre or back three pulls out.

I think Coombes is next man up if any lock or back row pulls out.

Backrow is certainly between Prendergast and Coombes, provided Conan isn't crocked. Coombes is definitely in a strong position, given Prendergast didn't stand out yesterday.

Can't see past Frawley getting the last out side back slot. Personally would take Osbourne, but his lack of game time makes that unlikely. If JOB is injured, he'd be the best option imo.