Delighted to see POM named as captain. An experienced proven leader on and off the pitch is just what we need in this 6N. Let him set the tone while younger leaders step up more around him then make the change when Farrell starts to transition him out of the match day 15 and 23.
Also, if anyone can lead us back to having a great lineout from the pitch it's him.
Noone does, its complete nonsense.
France selected a panel of minnows. Nothing to worry about!
It boils down to the fact that POM is still Farrells No.1 at 6.
& Fair enough he was always the de facto leader in the pack.
It does strike me as a little odd that he has now moved away from James Ryan.
e.g. Ryan named captain back in Nov 2020 without Sexton. POM also starting. And also the end game in Oct 6N game v Fra.
Probably a bit of 'Team Loyalty' from Farrell to POM in his current contract situation.
& Prob also an indicator that Joe McCarthy is pushing hard for selection beside Beirne
Shayne Bolton is another player that should be high up on the Radar.
He would benefit from being included on the Irish Summer tour
Hes 24 and has the speed of a winger and the frame of a 12. He could be an international level player.
December? A whole month ago?
Porter went off after 32 mins for a blood injury and came back on. He was still on the field well into the 70 mins plus (blocked down a kick in the closing minutes).
VDF played brilliantly when he came in - the competition for his shirt actually probably is a good thing and drove his performance more.
POM has played 103 mins for Munster this season between Stormers and Toulon, and played well in Toulon. We also have Ryan Baird who is playing brilliantly challenging for that shirt.
The lack of high level gametime is more to do with the fact that there just aren't that many tough games for the provinces up to this time of year realistically, and I don't know what you can do about it. You could make the exact same argument for the Leinster contingent this time 12 months ago (had had four soft European cup games, by comparison to the battle this time against La Rochelle) and they still won the Grand Slam.
POM as Captain is a mistake.
I've all the respect in the World for him, but he isn't going to make the next WC. He won't be on the Lions in 2025, even with Farrell in the chair. Unless Farrell does end up bringing him to justify his Captaincy now in some fashion. Which would compound the mistake.
Peter is a Munster and Ireland great. But right now we are suffering the loss of a another player that stayed on too long, and was certainly kept on as Captain waaaaaay too long.
And while it is right that greats like O'Mahony and Healy are in this squad to set the example of what it is to be a Test player, the commitment and the work ethic and just everything about the culture, I suspect if you asked Healy if either of them should be Captain, he'd say no.
To my mind, the Captain shortlist should have been:
Furlong, Beirne, Ryan, Henderson, VdF, Henshaw, Ringrose and Keenan.
From that, I would have made Ringrose Captain, Beirne Vice-Captain and pack leader and Van Der Flier as Third, if needed on field and for leadership duties in Camp.
I'm surprised Farrell didn't just name a squad of 37 & then have 3 trainees from Neil Doak, Cathal Forde, John Hodnett, Anton Fritsch or even Jack Doyle as Michael Milne is injured I think
Ha, if POM was going to captain Ireland to the world cup he would not be having a well publicised fight over the poor offers or lack of offers for his contract.
the odds of 'no grand slam' are shorter than the odds of france winning one.
congratulations to Peter O'Mahony , Ireland Captain. well deserved, a special player and a legend of the Irish game.
The garden will have to wait.
I dunno why anyone is mentioning Doak, he is struggling to get starts for Ulster and his form has been middling for a while now. I doubt the was on the radar at all, and I don't think he's going to put himself on the radar until he passes out Cooney.
100% anything is possible but France have to be favorites for the grand slam, get have everything on paper.
We dont anyway…
Harsh on Prendergast but seems like the WC he’s unfortunately in a line behind the best depth we have had at 6
I'd have preferred in he named a squad of 37 & then had the 3 trainees as Cathal Forde, John Hodnett , Nathan Doak or even Antoine Frisch / Jack Boyle.
.
You beat me to it, syd, but I'd imagine the "unless he retires" stipulation will get TRC off the hook...
You don't build for a World Cup right after the previous one ends. Four year cycles are a load of nonsense.
France did just that in the last RWC, look where that got them...
How likely do you think it is that retires prior to the RWC? I would suggest very likely. Certainly more likely than not.
In which case, where's the problem?
A scared selection and no thoughts to building to 2027 World Cup. No surprise it’s always 1/4 finals exits. Farrell already seems to be obsessed with Lions job - against an atrocious Australia it really is a waste of everyone’s time and energies
It was at the start of December, and larochelle were going very badly then
Furlong didnt play.
Porter played 30 mins
Vdf didnt start.
POM is only back and hasnt 80 mins played.
There is most definaltey a lack of high level game time amongst what will be the starting 15 in a little over 2 weeks.
With the exception of Beirne I would not have any of the most likely starting 15 at anything over 90% international match ready at this point.
It bodes well for the team as the competition progresses and for the clubs as the business end of the season approaches, but currently they are undercooked.
No Prendergast is a strange decision, think he’s been excellent this season and making big plays regularly POM style. Hodnett is also unlucky not to be named.
Amazing to see Healy back in. It says a lot about our depth at LH that he’s still making the squad when Leinster are slow to play him off the bench in the biggest games (got 2 mins off the bench in 2023 HC final and 10 against LAR on last trip there). Obviously a lot of this is down to Porters engine but it’s still concerning.
POM is a logical choice as a squad captain if we’re looking to win this tournament but I think at least one of Baird and Prendergast should be getting starts. It will be an opportunity lost if POM starts all 5 games at 6. Maybe Farrell also sees POM starting at 7 freeing up the 6 jersey and springing VDF from the bench.
We know Farrell is a vibes man. Might also have been a factor behind giving POM the captaincy (deserves the honour of being an Irish captain) and getting Healy the cap record (especially after his pre World Cup injury).
Unless he runs for president in 2025 of course. Then its the Aras for 14 years.
not a hope in hell and im willing to put a €50 bet on with you, for charity, that he will not be named as ireland WRC captain in 2027
I can see the style of england causing them trouble tbh, and there is a lot of rugby played by some of them. England owe them one as well.
Hard to see a slam, but hard to see them not winning championship tbh.
It would be no surprise to see them put 50 points on someone one week and loose the following week.
I guess it will all come down to what team adapts best to their newest changes, ours at 10, Wales in a few areas, France sans Dupont, england with foreign players unavailable etc.
Unless he retires or gets injured, POM will be Ireland captain at RWC 2027. He's not getting dropped and he's not having the captaincy taken from him.
Great, so you agree with me.
I made no comment on his place in the squad. Anyway, im going to leave it here.
No point dragging the thread off topic by an argument with a fellow Peter hater.
Tom Ahern, Nathan Doak, John Hodnett. Milne (injured), Tommy o'Brien, Jager
I dont think he will be captain in 4 years, but i also think hes worthy of his place
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