Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

Agreed. Ringrose has also been poor. He's not guaranteed anything either.

Happy for Farrell. Some impressive stats from his tenure in this thread:

It’ll be interesting who is named captain next week when the squad is announced.

Gerry Thornley mentioned on a podcast during the week that he would be quite surprised if O’Mahony gets the nod (he didn’t clarify, but this seemed like an informed view), and that he thinks it will be either Ringrose or Ryan (this sounded more like an educated guess compared to his POM opinion).

Regardless of whether it’s Ringrose or Ryan (or anyone else for that matter), I just hope there’s clarity and we don’t go for a co-captain approach!

Doesn't make any sense to make a guy captain whose only going to be around for max another 12 months, we also need to start fixing our lineouts sometime soon and that means trying to get Baird and Aherne fit in the same team, we don't seem to have any current 2nd rows who would be able to fix it.

6nations around the corner! No Sexton, no Hanson and several lads are out of form. I would say a grand slam is not on this year. I think we win our home matches and hopefully win in Twickers. Not confident going to France.

I'm hoping form is rewarded and Prendergast or Baird get an opportunity. I think Hume is deserving of a look too. Scrum half is concerning. No one is putting their hand up. Murray should not make the squad based on his form.

Right, actually a genuine opportunity to rebuild. POM, Connor and Tadgh are question marks. Maybe we have Lowe but otherwise two new wingers, no Johnny. The loss of Hansen and maybe Lowe is a massive twist for Farrell given how imposrtant they are to how we play. Back/2nd row about the only consistency available and Joe to come in. Maybe Ringrose on the wing, and one/two of the Munster wingers coming in. 2nd place would be a big success this year, maybe third depending on Twickenham but I expect England to be a lot better this year.

Yeah, he was the last one out before the WC squad was finalised so he is in the picture. I haven't seen much of him this season tho Ulster fans on here seem non plussed. Nash and or Daly for me too. The front line back 3 is stellar, and I'd add JOB to that, but beyond them we run into familiar depth problems. It would be great to see some new blood tried out this year.