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.
Nash looking like his last-season self yesterday, I think he's done enough to claim Hansen's spot. His try was reminiscent of Hansen himself, from kick-off vs France.
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.
Cian Prendergast has looked like a man amongst boys at Connacht any time I've seen them, which is admittedly not that often.
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.
I’d personally have him in. For leadership and doggedness if nothing else. But with his age and rumours of retirement at the end of this season I wonder if Farrell decides against it.
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.
Given how rich the back row stocks are you could see Farrell moving on from Peter when he’s retiring at the end of the season. He’ll likely be in the squad but Farrell will have to look ahead. Baird, VDF and Doris looked to be in super form yesterday.
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.
POM will still be starting imo. Wouldn't be my choice but I think it's who Farrell will pick.
His lack of game time and rumours of retirement might change that. Would expect him to start against France tho
With Ireland losing Sexton and having a new young 10 replacing him I think Farrell at least for the 6N will want to keep the team as settled as possible.
Would agree with this unless farrell is goin to rip up the style of play completely considering he has a long term deal....v unlikely tho.
Last time we had wholesale changes was gatland bringing in the young guns but his back was to the wall that time so a bit of free shot in some aspects
Would like to see baird & nash starting, crowley is a given, outside of that would be as is I suspect
I posted this in the Champions Cup thread in response to a comment by mistake, better posted here:
My prediction for our 37 man squad (using the same composition as last year's squad is as follows):
Props (6): Tadgh Furlong, Finlay Bealham, Tom O'Toole, Andrew Porter, Jeremy Loughman, Cian Healy
Hookers (3): Dan Sheehan, Ronan Kelleher, Tom Stewart
Locks (4): James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne, Joe McCarthy, Iain Henderson
Back Row (7): Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier, Peter O'Mahony, Jack Conan, Ryan Baird, Tom Ahern, Cian Prendergast
Scrum Halves (3): Jamison Gibson Park, Craig Casey, Caolin Blade
Out Halves (3): Jack Crowley, Ciaran Frawley, Ross Byrne
Centres (4): Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, Robbie Henshaw, Stuart McCloskey
Back Three (7): Hugo Keenan, James Lowe, Calvin Nash, Jacob Stockdale, Jordan Larmour, Shane Daly, Shayne Bolton
On the groupings, I don't see a viable alternative to Cian Healy, especially as there are concerns still around Loughman. It won't surprise me if Healy benched in Marseille.
I've picked the back row I think he'll select - it's useful as Ahern and Baird can also cover lock. I wouldn't personally select effectively four blindsides, and would give a spot to one of Timoney or Hodnett.
Not 100% sure obviously he'll move on from Murray - but his form has been poor. Nathan Doak isn't playing enough and isn't playing well enough to justify inclusion yet (unless as a development player), so Blade is probably next up if they move on from Murray.
Equally - there aren't a whole host of 10 options. No idea what way he'll go there.
I've taken a bolter in the back three in Bolton - but I really struggled to fill out 7 back three places and think he has a kind of abrasive style that Farrell will like. He's been playing very well and is still very young. Makes absolute sense to me to bring him and get a better look at him. He deserves the spot ahead of Baloucoune right now IMO.
EDIT: Updated for the news that Herring is likely out.
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
We won't be doing anything dramatic for this 6N. Maybe a few more integrated into the squad, build on that in the summer (with a first choice team still taking the field in SA) and then selection moving on in the autumn with longer term prospects being integrated into the 23 on a more permanent basis.
Might see a bit of 6N change for Italy in Dublin where guys like Ahern, Prendergast and TOT might be in the 23 but certainly don't envisage anything but our strongest and most settled 23 for the trip to Marseille. We simply don't have time to get a new team integrated; they haven't been together as a group since the RWC and will have just over a week together before the team is named.
My Guess.
Props (6): Tadgh Furlong, Finlay Bealham, Tom O'Toole, Andrew Porter, Jeremy Loughman, Michael Milne
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.
Milne hasn't played this season - so I can't see how you can him one niggle in a warm up away from benching against the French (even allowing for the fact Porter invariably plays 70 odd mins).
I can't see POM not making the squad - the impact of his leadership and lineout nous was evident for Munster at the weekend.
I'd be hugely surprised to see Nathan Doak or Sam Prendergast in the squad, unless as development players. Same thought on Tommy O'Brien (prob too old to be a development player) but don't think he's done enough to warrant this.
If he does rip things up he isnt going to do it this 6N and even then if there is a change it will be gradual like it was in the last WC campaign.
Despite not getting to the SF we still had a good year in 2023 so there's no need to start again, just keep things settled for now and then gradually change things.
The non-test games in particular this time are going to be mind numbing.
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.
This is the strongest position Farrell has been thus far in his tenure. New irfu contract, cubs contract, plus RWC draw isn't until Jan '26 this time.
Wouldn't be surprised if he had changed it up this 6N - But limited scope for change.
I agree on your logic on Healy but Its time to say goodbye - But who?
Same for Murray - I've wanted Doak for awhile.....But Ulster!
Is it poor coaching Or what is going on at Ulster? Excl Henderson Zero improvement from their players - Epitomised by Baloucoune (& even Lowry)
Also agree with the selection of Bolton instead.
Connors maybe over Prendergast or injured again?
I'd be all for Prendergast over Frawley.
I would move on from the senior players. Certainly Murray. But Blade is really not good enough. I think Murray makes the squad. I think Healy benches v France and England. Otherwise give Loughman the remainder games. O'Toole has been better than Bealham this season...
O'Mahoney could be similar to Healy. He's near the end and this could be his last 6nations. It's going to be interesting to see how Furlong plays. Will he recover his form?
Yeah, Healy is in the same position he's been in for years now. Everyone thinks he's past it, but he is still the second best loosehead at Leinster and Ireland, and until someone shows they're better than him, he'll continue to be.
Boyle got some good minutes for Leinster this year (291 mins, 4 starts, 3 sub appearances) and did well in those mins, but he isn't ready for European or international rugby yet IMO at 21 years of age in the front row.
There just aren't other options - especially with Kilcoyne injured. Josh Wycherley isn't good enough, Denis Buckley has never been considered, Peter Dooley isn't good enough and Andrew Warwick isn't good enough.
If Michael Milne hadn't been injured all season it's reasonable to assume he'd have racked up some good minutes again and might be in there, but I can't see it yet.
On the Ulster issue - I'd share your criticism of the development of some players. If you go back to the 2022 6N and the tour to NZ, you had all of Timoney, Lowry, Hume & Baloucoune well in the mix for Ireland. To flash forward to the following season and see all four miss the RWC really shows something went wrong last season up there, and none of those players progressed.
I think Timoney and Hume look to have rediscovered some form this season, and clearly Stewart and O'Toole have emerged, but there is a lingering fear IMO the current Ulster coaching ticket aren't getting the most out of the talent at their disposal.
Joy Neville moving on from refereeing to become a ref development manager in Connacht
Boyle is the only ray of sunshine on the horizon of LH. Great to see his improvement.
Cant remember which game he came on in for Healy but he looked more powerful in the loose and held up a scrum or two. Yes, France is a different kettle of fish!
I think the Ulster forwards have shown signs of improvement. Especially the emergence of players like McCann, Sheridan and Wilson. Its the backs where the problem is. They have regressed quite a bit in past 18months. I have no doubt if Baloucoune, Stockdale and Doak were at Leinster they would be levels above current form.
Frawley might get the nod due to versatility. Although Prendergast will be involved in all training squads and most like next cab off the rank in case of injury.
flights and accommodation in marseilles booked.
getting excited now !!
Any hassle getting tickets?
been told i have them through my club, but not in my possession yet.
![Photo of [Deleted User]](https://wd.vanillicon.com/v2/dd23f423fe14831a2a84d9f17c825ecc.svg)
![Photo of [Deleted User]](https://wb.vanillicon.com/v2/bc2fc647ead03112f34ab15102cdc6cb.svg)
