Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

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.

Porter will still be fine. Maybe not playing 70 mins anymore but still well able to compete for a place in the team.

Furlong will be closer to the edge, but Healy and Kilcoyne are/were still our next best options at 36 and 34. In 4 years bealham and furlong will be the same, so form dependant, one of them could still be in the mix.

JGP may struggle considering how much of his game is down to speed. I think Murray lasted as long because he has been in teams that played a slower more controlled game. Plus he has a bit more power to him in defense.

Ryan and Ringrose should be fine.

Henshaw might struggle given his injury record.

Beirne, Lowe, and Aki, in order of increasing unlikelihood, would need to be doing something fairly miraculous to be involved.

While Nucifora is ultimately responsible for the production line remaining constant throughout Ireland, it is also up to Ulster to sort this problem ourselves. You make a good point about the schools system. The schools up here will never spend the money on coaching structures that some Dublin schools do. I feel like the Branch needs to do more in improving coaching standards at schools and youth level across Ulster.

Wouldn’t really say there is that many issues. Lots of young talent coming through.

Porter will be around and the rest will probably be from Loughman, Paddy McCarthy, Milne and Boyle. Probably should be looking to get one of the Leinster lads to move to Connacht / Ulster.

Hooker will be grand, Sheehan, Kelleher and Stewart are the obvious choices. With a back up cast of Barron, DTM and Gus McCarthy, who is expect to push on over the next four years.

At tighthead, it’s not impossible to think one of / both Furlong and Bealham are knocking about. O’Toole would be the early favourite for first choice. Depth here hasn’t really convinced me yet with options like Salanoa, Knox, Clarkson, Illo and Barrett all having potential.

Second row looks very nicely stocked. Ryan snd McCarthy will be there. Henderson and Beirne could still be knocking about too. Young lads like the Murray brothers, Ahern and Edogbo and Izuchukwa could all be capped.

VDF could still be around in 4 years, Baird and Doris will most likely be mainstays but there’s a surplus of promising players who you could look at in Penny, Prendergast, Coombes, Deegan, Hodnett, Kendellen, Culhane, Gleeson and Quinn. 

At 9, I’d love to see Casey, Doak, Gunne and Devine all establish themselves as first choice at each province. All have looked class at u20 level. 

Crowley and Prendergast could be set up for an almighty battle at ten. Will be interesting to see how they develop. If frawley is seen as a ten, himself or Harry Byrne should be moved to Connacht / Ulster. Ross Byrne could also still be knocking about as an elder statesman.

At centres Ringrose will certainly continue but I’d have my doubts henshaws body will hold up. If it doesn’t there is some decent young talent coming through to add to the likes of Hume , Frisch, Moore and Osborne who are pretty established already. Would be looking at how Hugh Cooney, Cathal Forde, Shane Jennings, John Devine and Postlethwaite develop.

In the back three then, you have Keenan, Hansen, JOB and Nash who have been involved already. Stockdale and Larmour are young enough to rediscover their form. While the likes of TOB, Kilgallen and McErlean could break through.