Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

havent brought myself around to watching it again yet but i thought at the time that the maul broke down/collapsed rather than kelleher breaking off? could be misremembering it though all the same

again though, i do think the law is a bigger problem here

You know Conan had a blood disease? And Ryan suffered multiple concussions? If anyone should be dropped, it has to be the elders. They've nothing more to offer.

On Ringrose not passing, I’ve been making this point for years, he loves to step in off his right rather than pass the ball off his left. Maybe he doesn’t want his winger isolated, maybe he wants the ruck closer to midfield, maybe he doesn’t trust his pass. BUT, on Saturday he did it a few times and made great yards almost every time. His footwork, agility and power get him through one or two tackles more often than not and he might be the best presenter of the ball in the team.

I hope they're not too quick with the changes to the squad this year. I think given that we're going to be playing a new, fairly young 10 (I'm assuming Crowley will keep the shirt for the start of the 6N) it would be good to keep some of the continuity in tact around him. There's a good chance that neither JGP or Bundee are going to be the starter in a couple of years (at least I hope someone new steps up and displaces them) but it probably makes sense to leave them in situ for a year to let the new 10's grow into the shirt.

I'm also looking forward to seeing how they do in a team without the presence of Sexton casting a shadow over them. for the last 10 years anyway it's always felt like others were "filling in" for him. the teams were built around him, and for good reason. I'm just looking at the silver lining. It might take a season yet before the comparisons die down but i'm excited to see who grabs the opportunity

I would imagine we'll be waiting until autumn 2024, supplemented by a tier 2 tour in 2025 to really make significant changes to the team. There's a lot of guys contracted until then who will still be performing well and the coaches will want their experience around the camp with Sexton and Earls gone.

We've a 6N followed by a tour of SA. I just don't see Ireland deviating much from their current squad until after those. We had 37 players in our 6N squad named last January. I'd imagine we'll have our RWC 31 (retirees removed) plus the likes of Frawley, Stockdale, Osborne, Prendergast and one or two others. We may even see Cian Healy back in the squad.

Hopefully, we're in a position to name a slightly wider squad though given the RWC cycle is starting again along with a few development players. Would also really like to see a Wolfhounds/development tour next summer.

4 years ago you would have looked at the 2019 team and said a lot of the key positions were locked in for 2023, unfortunately the same cannot be said about the 2023 team looking ahead to 2027.

Players that it might be a step to far for age in 2027...

Porter 31

Beirne 35

JvDF 34

Furlong 34

Gibson Park 35

James Ryan 31

Ringrose 32

Henshaw 34

Lowe 35

Aki 37

Anyone under 30 should be good to go in 2027, I left Keenan out of the list above since he rarely gets injured, he'll be 31

there are some ridiculously good players coming out of the academies, so this doesn't worry me.

also, the next best no7 in John Hodnett.

Penny and young Quinn at Munster will also be snapping at JVDF’s heels

I’ve a feeling the next few seasons will be some of the most competitive we’ve seen for spots on the Irish team. Experience will keep some of the guys listed above in the mix but I expect much more turnover than we’ve seen in the last cycle.

Considering the success at u20 level over the last few years, there is huge potential there. Hopefully all the provinces can develop this talent effectively.

Is there any word on who is replacing Nucifora? Will be a very important role.