Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

Text box froze and won't let me edit the above...Boards going from strength to strength!

.....There will be a training camp in December more than likely and peripheral guys need to be showing form in the next few weeks at the latest if they want to be involved.

The punishment Beirne subjects his body to, I can't see him still playing at 35. Henderson might be, but with so much talent coming through at lock country-wide, he's unlikely to be our best option if he is.

Personally I'm very optimistic about what a shake-up might bring to the national setup. On the one hand, the current crop have grand slams in them, and on their day they can beat anyone on the planet convincingly. On the other hand, they underperformed in the RWC QF, and are largely built around a province who have likewise not shown the best version of themselves in knock-out games in the last five years.

One major change is obviously forced, given Sexton's retirement. But I'd be surprised if there aren't a few more changes in what's considered our "best 23" by the end of the Six Nations.

McCann, Murray, Nash, Forde, Ahern, McCarthy, Coombes and possibly Gleeson all look capable of putting pressure on the incumbents. Have a funny feeling JOB will eventually oust Lowe as the starting winger too.

Beirne seems to be ageing fairly well. He was almost 25 by the time he started a game for the Scarlets. He's had an intense few years but that late start often stands to guys when they're not putting their bodies through serious punishment when still developing physically.

JOB is a quality player and very flexible. I think Nash is a possibility to nail down a wing. Lowe will hold out for a year but, he's certainly not undropable.

Henderson has had a career disrupted with injury. I can't see him lasting for this cycle.

I thought I read recently that an Ireland development team would be playing an Italian team home and away.

A large part of it for Coombes, Prendergast, Timoney in the back-row etc. is because the 4 incumbents were viritually never injured in the preceding 2 years.

The opportunities just weren't there. That doesn't necessarily mean they aren't performing in training.

The Conan injury around RWC-time was the most minutes missed by any of the 4 incumbents in ages. In the 2 seasons, and 19 Tests vs Tier 1 nations prior to the RWC, the 4 of POM, VdF, Doris and Conan missed a total of 21 mins gametime because of injury (solely, Conan vs Argentina in the AI's 2021).

I think Ireland should go hard to win the 6 nations and tour to South Africa in 2024.

Then with Farrell away with the lions in 2025 there is more leeway to bed in New players and not as much pressure on winning the 6 nations. The 2024 November Internationals, 2025 6 nations and 2025 summer tour( minus the lions players) look to be a great opportunity to look at new players.

The other way of looking at that is that relying injuries as the opportunities to get guys some experience isn't enough.

There's no signs yet that he's declining, and that lower early exposure you mention could indeed stand to him.

But a guy like him, slightly undersized for his position, and so busy at defensive breakdowns... I'd worry how many years are left. Those stamps in his "cleared out" passport will eventually fill the pages.

Forgot Osbourne here 👆️

Even the IRFU spelling Baloucoune's name wrong.