Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

I'd like to see both get decent gametime. I think it would be more beneficial for all than expecting Furlong to shoulder a heavy workload in the 6N after limited gametime in the previous few months. We are going to need all three of them for the tour in SA. Bealham and TOT need more minutes at international level and Furlong needs minding.

With our oversupply of high standard locks/flankers, lack of form for Henshaw and complete shitshow in the back three and outhalf, the 6/2 split with Frawley in the 23 jersey becomes a very viable option right now although I'm not sure they'll risk it.

That would allow us potentially have Henderson, Ryan, Beirne and McCarthy all in the 23 although I'd be equally of a mind to look at one sub lock with Baird and Conan on the bench too.

I haven't seen anything in Larmour's form this season that would excite me. He's been ok, but has underachieved for many years now. His running is very lateral, and I don't trust him under the high ball.

But in addition to these basic concerns, I don't see guys like him or Baloucoune having the creative footballing approach which Farrell wants. Now this may be something that can be corrected, it's hard to tell because both players are locked into provincial systems which function on a different model, could they adapt?

Based on what I've seen, I'd prefer to see Nash and TOB.

Hanson is a massive loss and it's compounded by Conway retiring. That leaves Lowe as our best wing with several average lads vying for a chance.

Hanson is the only wing we have that would be close to world class!

I wouldn't lump them together. Stockdale has been much better than Baloucoune, who has been very quiet and now looks unsure of himself.

Stockdale has been improving and was the last winger to be sent home from the extended RWC squad, if I recall? So I'd say he's up first.

I think that's completely wrong on Stockdale to be honest. He hasn't been perfect, but his levels have risen significantly this season.

Great news but this last week has really highlighted that Ireland are not producing top level wingers.

No-one is. So what do we do? Not field wingers?

I also don't particularly want to see Lowe coming straight in to play for Ireland with no game time, or one Leinster game.

Erm... Okay.

I mean I don't disagree at all, but does that mean you don't worry about who lines out in the backs as long as you've a good pack?

There are plenty of decisions that aren't the crucial factors in the winning or losing of the game that you still want to get right.

I'd rather an actual winger played on the wing and I have to be honest, I would be worried about Henshaw at this stage. I don't think getting him on the pitch is the slam-dunk it once was. The underlying assumption that it will be fine to move Ringrose, Henshaw will step in, is reflective more of his reputation than anything we've seen from him since the start of the RWC.