Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

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.

They were talking about it on OFB on Newstalk

Whilst I'd consider it unlikely, I wouldn't rule Ringrose out of playing on the wing entirely. He's moved there in the past for Ireland and moved there this season for Leinster too including the last 25 minutes away to LAR.

It would be far less disruptive though to keep Ringrose at 13 and have a straight swap for Hansen. Given Hansen plays on the right wing for Ireland, I would say Stockdale's chances are significantly hindered at being the replacement given he plays almost exclusively on the left wing.

I wouldn't be surprised if they make it a straight fight between 2-3 guys in training camp to prove themselves for the jersey and wouldn't rule out any back three player that's named in the squad.