Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

I’d expect France to win with home advantage but wouldn’t be too down on our chances. Plenty of quality out there for Ireland and a strong bench to spring. Key (as always) is the start. Can’t give them an early score like we did 2 years ago.

Be interesting to see what the French hangover is like. Missing Dupont and (to a lesser degree) N’Tamack and Jelonch. Happy to see Moefana on the wing too. France by a score for me due to home advantage (I’d probably back us to get over the line if it was in Lansdowne).

I expect a good performance from us. There was talk of a potential World Cup hangover when Leinster travelled over to LAR but they managed to put in a big performance so expect the same from a team coached by AF.

Well nobody can say the selection isn't interesting! Let's bring it on.

France by more than a score for me, but would love to be proven wrong.

Not that anyone cares but I honestly have little to no excitement for this game or this year's 6N. The latest World Cup quarter final exit essentially dissolved what emotional investment I had in the Irish team, and I probably will struggle to get it back until they actually win a quarter final. Obviously I'll still watch the games out of interest and as a fan of rugby, but I couldn't really care at this stage whether they win or lose. I'd wager I'm not the only one who feels this way. So I probably won't be too active on this thread throughout the 6N, you'll all be delighted to hear 😂.

Ah lads it's the most wonderful time of the year. Fukc that ould world cup. 😆

Can't wait

Everyone mentioning Ryan dropping the bench, is it not Henderson that drops out or am I misremembering?

VDF isnt benched?

this is the best phrase on the thread for a long while...

Ever since I saw this fixture, I was resigned to us losing. Looking at the two teams, I have a bit more faith in us winning. They are rightfully favourites but now I think our starting XV plus bench could potentially beat them.

Win, lose or draw, I don't think it matters a whole lot. A win would be a big boost but a loss away to a top team doesn't really matter (look at how SA didn't dwell on their defeats over the year before the WC). We are bringing in new players and have plenty of high potential youngsters who will be pushing for national selection over the next couple of years. I'd be more bothered if we don't win comfortably in our other 6N games than if we lose this one.

It's both; Henderson out of the 23 and Ryan dropping to the bench.

Tho it was a bit unclear in the Scotland game, as Ryan had shipped an injury but Farrell declared him fit and Henderson started.

If we do beat France on Friday night and beat them by outplaying them as opposed to benefiting from a red card or lucky bounce then it will mean Crowley has one firm hand on the 10 jersey.

You dont come out of a game like that without having your 10 performing

I know I take the piss out of you because of your tendencies to be a total mood hoover in here so I try and keep it light.

But hedging your enjoyment of a sport on one fixture that happens every 4 years is just incredibly and incomprehensibly sad.

It's like refusing to enjoy nature until you see the Northern Lights.

Sure they are spectacular to see - one of the most amazing phenomena that exists on this earth. But there are other amazing parts of nature. Sunsets, sunny days, clear frosty mornings etc. Nobody experiences these and goes "yeah well it's not the **** Aurora Borealis is it?? Why is everyone so obsessed with a sunset it doesn't have a patch on those and until I see it every sunset is a waste of time. Those of you enjoying this sunset are just people far to happy with being average and settling while I sit here on a higher plane of being aspiring to see the Northern Lights..."

Rugby is a fantastic sport. And has given me and many in here some of my fondest and most cherished memories. And some significant disappointments too.