Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

ionadnapóca · 15-01-2024 12:35PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121617514#Comment_121617514

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.

Dubinusa · 15-01-2024 12:52PM

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?

15-01-2024 12:57PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121618182#Comment_121618182

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.

phog · 15-01-2024 01:09PM

Joy Neville moving on from refereeing to become a ref development manager in Connacht

https://twitter.com/IrishRugby/status/1746880222081794124?t=EKH7MX3ZApDGXDslpIZy7w&s=19

ionadnapóca · 15-01-2024 01:13PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121618288#Comment_121618288

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!

Utah_Saint · 15-01-2024 01:50PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121618182#Comment_121618182

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.

sydthebeat · 15-01-2024 04:31PM

flights and accommodation in marseilles booked.

getting excited now !!

pickarooney · 15-01-2024 05:50PM

Any hassle getting tickets?

sydthebeat · 15-01-2024 05:55PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121619957#Comment_121619957

been told i have them through my club, but not in my possession yet.

Paul Smeenus · 15-01-2024 11:18PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121618288#Comment_121618288

Agree on the Ulster backs, but there's no mystery.

Dwayne Peel and Jared Payne left.

Our backs play was non-existent last season, and laboured this. Our defence has fallen off a cliff.

Jump_In_Jack · 17-01-2024 11:45AM

Six Nations squad due out today

Buer · 17-01-2024 12:27PM

POM reported as captain. If he has a contract, then it's the right call for the coming tournament and summer tour.

typhoony · 17-01-2024 12:29PM

I know the argument for not moving on from the 3 senior players will be that wasn't what we did with Sexton. But he was clearly still head and shoulders above the young guns behind whereas with Healy, Murray and O'Mahony there are clearly viable younger options that should now be given their chance. More importantly there's enough experience in the squad not to have POM as captain. He's not going to be around in 2025 is my belief

bennyl10 · 17-01-2024 12:48PM

POM as captain is 100% the right call

now just sort out his contract

bingobango12 · 17-01-2024 12:53PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121618349#Comment_121618349

What have the poor referees of Connacht done to deserve that punishment.

TRC10 · 17-01-2024 01:20PM

For once I'd like to see Ireland go with a captain who won't be nearly 40 at the next World Cup. But this is Irish rugby we're talking about so I don't have high expectations.

Must love hardship · 17-01-2024 01:21PM

Pretty frustrating call if true.

Best was too old to be captain for 2019 WC. Sexton was too old to be captain in 23 and pom will be too old by 27.

Hopefully it's only a short term appointment until end of the season

GoldFour4 · 17-01-2024 01:21PM

Think POM as captain is clearly the correct call. Captain for 2 years and then see who is best placed before the next WC and appoint then.

I don’t buy the whole thing of appointing a captain with the next WC in mind. A lot can happen in that time span. New leaders will emerge and players who might be on the cusp of captaincy could improve further or drop a level for that matter.

TRC10 · 17-01-2024 01:26PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121628787#Comment_121628787

Best's captaincy was supposed to be "short term". Sexton's captaincy was supposed to be "short term". Ireland are too sentimental and never ruthless enough to take the captaincy from established players and move on when they need to. If POM is named captain, we'll see the exact same sh*te play out again over the next 4 years.

salmocab · 17-01-2024 01:27PM

IF it’s POM it’s not for the next World Cup it’s for the next year or two. It’ll be no big deal so let’s all fetch our pitchforks and start arguing about World Cup cycles and same mistakes over and over.

TRC10 · 17-01-2024 01:28PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121628816#Comment_121628816

Sure we've heard it all before

irelandrover · 17-01-2024 01:28PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121628808#Comment_121628808

There is zero chance of POM being captain at the rugby world cup in 4 years.

theVersatile · 17-01-2024 01:30PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121628819#Comment_121628819

Always the optimist, TRC

awec · 17-01-2024 01:30PM

It would be bizarre for the Ireland captain to not be on a central contract, so if the rumours are true I can only assume he has been sorted out.

irelandrover · 17-01-2024 01:33PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121628835#Comment_121628835

Unless it is just for this six nations. Give it to O Mahony now and appoint the long term successor to Sexton in the summer.

17-01-2024 01:33PM

POM being captain means we won't see Baird start, for that alone I think its a bit questionable.

TRC10 · 17-01-2024 01:34PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121628832#Comment_121628832

Am I wrong? Does POM being named captain not seem awfully familiar to Best and Sexton being made captain at the start of the last two World Cup cycles, and still being captain when the World Cup came around when they were 37 and 38 respectively?

We've got 3 outstanding young 6s in Baird, Ahern and Prendergast. Why not give them a go at the start of a new cycle like other nations would, instead of persisting with the tried, trusted and failed?