Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

Admittedly I prefer Conan to Coombes, although I am a little bemused at Coombes’ complete alienation from a match day squad. He seems like a player I would’ve wanted a close look at in in-game scenarios.

But what specific flaws do people think makes him unsuitable for Farrell’s game plan or what do you think he lacks as a player that prevents the national coaches from rating him at all really?

I do think there's more to it than the "system" line we hear so much. Doris and Conan are more aligned with that style of play and probably more comfortable attacking soft shoulders in wider channels, getting their hand free or acting as a pivot in midfield. But Coombes isn't bad at those things. It's not his stand out feature but we've all seen him offload and show good hands.

The one thing I've always noted against him (and he has improved) was that he's generally good for one or two missed tackles in a game. I've seen him deliver some sloppy, borderline lazy tackling efforts in URC games which is often masked by just how impactful he is when he gets the ball in his hands. I'm not sure if that would be a point of difference but perhaps. But, if we're singling out specific elements of an individual, you could level discipline at the likes of Prendergast, McCarthy or even Doris (who had a bad habit of giving away a dumb penalty or two every game for a long time).

I listed out the 7 guys I thought that were on the outside of the squad based on selections over the past year and Coombes was definitely in that group. He's got two top class No. 8s in front of him which is unfortunate. It will certainly be a case of him being better than guys who are in the squad but they are fortunate enough to occupy different positions where we are less stacked.

But I think there's an issue that we're not privy to here. It might be attitude. It might be specifics of his performance. It might be how be that he likes pineapple on his pizza and Farrell is disgusted with him (and he'd be right to be disgusted). We'll never know. But I don't think Coombes is ever going to be in the Irish 23 with any consistency until, at the very least, Conan fades from that level in 1-2 years. Even then, you'd think Prendergast and Baird are probably next up for the 6/20 jersey (assuming POM is gone too by then).

Just one other point of note, Coombes is seen as an option to cover lock by some. He started a single game there this season when Munster were absolutely down to the bare bones at lock. I was looking at the team photo from the Portugal camp with interest. There's not a hope that Coombes is 6'6" which is his listed height. You can see that lads like McCarthy and Baird (both listed at 6'6") are clearly taller than him and he's not that much taller than people like Bealham and VDF (both listed at 6'2"). He might be able to cover lock in a URC game at a pinch but I'm guessing versatility was never a consideration for him in the Irish coaches eyes.

Although Coombes only started one game in the row, it's worth noting he finished a number of games there this season.

I'll have to look at some pictures myself but I'd have put Coombes at around 6'5 myself - at the lower limit of the lock height standard.

All the same people?

This is just as hyperbolic as the posts you’re deigning to criticise.

Not sure why you think Coombes is a better player.

Cos he’s performed more consistently at a higher level.

And I think it’s fair to say, when Connacht won the league, it was an inferior competition. The SA teams have added to it greatly.

Anyway the point was the talk about Coombes is over the top.

He was dropped from the squad all of 2 days ago. Disagree by all means, but it’s hardly over the top to be discussing it.

Because why call him into the squad in the first place if you have already decided he doesn't make the grade. I expected everyone in the squad to get a run during these games.

Coombes doesn't make a 33-man squad for Ireland. But he does make the 42-man squad. So clearly the Irish management rate him. I expected him to get a game to at least maintain his match sharpness in case he is required to go to France.

Im just making the relevant point the guy hasn't been playing for Ireland so I don't see why anyone thinks its a surprise he is been dropped.

You’re painting all comments as being surprised he’s been dropped from the squad.

But I don’t think too many are surprised to see him not make the 33.

Posters are saying they’re surprised he’s been dropped without any gametime.

That’s a different point to the one you’re claiming they’re making.