Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

There are definitely some upsides to it. For example - I expect a large contingent of Irish players this tour and like you say, the opportunity to freshen things up.

I just feel the potential disadvantages outweigh the benefits. There will be Irish players who feel they are better than their counterparts from the British isles who are inevitably going to be selected ahead of them. I've also lost a bit of love for the tours after Gatlands last shambles of a squad so that may have something to do with my feelings towards it too.

His kicking in the last couple of weeks has dropped off a bit; for about 12-18 months prior to that, it was exceptional, a real area of the game he improved.

100% agree on the passing tho, I think he's the best passer of a ball in the country.

Both Baird and Timoney have been excellent for the last few weeks. Think Baird needs to start at 6 and not sure how but Timoney deserves to be in the squad. Doris, JVDF & Baird probably the only back rows guaranteed to be in the squad at this stage.

I'd be quite surprise if POM wasn't, at a minimum, in the squad.

For me, Prendergast is a certainty. Seriously good season for him. Hodnett and Timoney could make it. Nash and Larmour will get into the wider squad. They've both been excellent.

I hope Hume makes it. His form has been superb.

Think the back rows selected will be POM, Prendergast, Baird, VDF, Timoney, Doris and Conan.

Nothing too surprising at all in the mix. Will be an interesting battle between Prendergast and Baird for the 6 jersey, could easily see Prendergast on the bench due to being more versatile.

His lack of game time and rumours of retirement might change that. Would expect him to start against France tho

Agree with this largely but would go with Hodnett or Timoney ahead of Ahern and think Murray will be ahead of Blade. Would love to see the likes of Boyle, Aungier, Gleeson, Prendergast and Forde in as development players too

My Guess.

Props (6): Tadgh Furlong, Finlay Bealham, Tom O'Toole, Andrew Porter, Jeremy Loughman, Michael Milne

Hookers (3): Dan Sheehan, Ronan Kelleher, Tom Stewart

Locks (4): James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne, Joe McCarthy, Iain Henderson

Back Row (7): Caelan Doris Captain., Josh van der Flier, John Hodnett, Jack Conan, Ryan Baird, Tom Ahern, Cian Prendergast

Scrum Halves (3): Jamison Gibson Park, Craig Casey, Nathan Doak.

Out Halves (3): Jack Crowley, Ciaran Frawley, Sam Prendergast 

Centres (4): Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, Robbie Henshaw, James Hume

Back Three (7): Hugo Keenan, James Lowe, Calvin Nash, Jacob Stockdale, Jordan Larmour, Shane Daly, Tommy O'Brien.

Pom's lineout Nous was clearly evendent in the world cup all right.

Healy 36, Murray 34 and O'Mahony 34 have been great servants to Ireland but professional sport is no place for sentiment. Ireland need to start to move on from them.

There is plenty of experience in the squad if they were not included. None of them are considered guaranteed starters anymore. And could be considered as 3rd choice on their position in some circumstances so best to move on and have a look at alternative options.

If there is an injury they can be called up if required.