Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

Yeah. I'd assume the order for 8 is Doris, conan and then Coombes. So one injury and Coombes is in France. And conan is currently not fully fit.

For Prendergast to be in consideration for 8 at the RWC, it’d required a number of injuries to the point that Coombes would almost certainly be called in.

I don’t think this tells us anything definitive about the depth chart at 8 if both Doris and Conan were injured.

It tells us who Farrell might move there during a RWC game against, say Romania if one of Doris or Conan got injured.

Lads, Gleeson is a generational talent, imo. I think he's going to be starting for Munster in a couple of years. His power is just crazy. Jaysus, himself and Quinn, and Culhane! Scary. McNabney is a good option for down the road. We are loaded! It's great! It won't take long either for Quinn and Gleeson. Culhane will have to wait. A massive amount of talent in front of him.

I’m sure we all thought that about Max Deegan a few years ago. Hopefully they all come through but it’s a big step up to professional rugby.

Really hope this scan is precautionary and that he's ok for the RWC

Exactly.

I've watched the u20s for years. There have been many players that seem head & shoulders above their peers that don't make it (big) in the pro game. Many factors needed; skill, athleticism, natural talent and luck. Unfortunately luck can often play a big part.

Sounds like it. MK followed that tweet up by saying Farrell was a bit downbeat about Sheehan. Also said Kelleher will be fine for the World Cup.

Exactly. Some see the missed conversions and think they were the defining moment of the game. But they are blind to all the other stuff Byrne did. He had quite a good game. Not much between him & Crowley but I think he's still ahead - I think Farrell thinks so too.

Why so much talk about second choice OH when second choice SH should be on debate, and more so after today. Casey is ahead

If anything the England game has muddied the waters in terms of final selection, everyone's assuming Farrell will bring 5 locks, Ryan, Beirne, Henderson, McCarthy and Baird with 2 of the above providing cover for backrow so no prendergast or Coombes. Baird might be vulnerable after today's game if Farrell decides to go for a dedicated backrow player with just 4 locks. Then you have 2 places left up for grabs which presumably will go to the backs 2 from Earls, Fawley,McCloskey, Stockdale. After todays game it will be Earls and either Frawley or McCloskey. Doubt Stockdale will go

Romania are going to be no bother , hammered tody by Italy.

I do worry about the pysiclity that Samoa bring, would be playing a seconds team, so we get no major injuries for the big games ahead.

He assisted two tries, to say he "set them up" is generous.

But it does highlight a strength he has in quietly going about his business until an opportunity for a wide skip pass or a cross-field kick emerges. He most certainly has a nose for those moments.

But if those moments don't open up, that's where I feel he's just too passive. When it comes to getting defenses to guess and putting players into space, I would say that not only is Crowley better than him, but on today's showing, Ringrose, Lowe and Hansen performed these roles better than him as well, when they were first receiver.

I don't necessarily think this issue disqualifies him from being the first choice 10 though. His touch-kicking remains superior to Crowley, and that really is such an important part of our set-piece threat.

Give it up. The final pass isn’t ‘setting up’ a try. Even Hansen had to step in with a crossfield kick for ringrose’s try with Byrne ram out of ideas.