Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

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.

He is the man in front by default as much as by performance. He was in the right place at the right time and took his chance but Friday is a chance to be there on form, and show that he is the one top of the pile even if everyone is available.

Squidge has some interesting ideas about who is going to come out of sextons shadow.

https://youtu.be/SyNNgzDYWBE?si=4l5lvgXZkNKxsNL4

When you have a player like Beirne who can cover into the backrow he is very hard to exclude, Mccarthy and Beirne could be in situ for a while.

Ryan might find it very hard to get his starting spot back, but he still has an experience advantage and Mccarthy who has had a weakness in his game before giving away penalties which you dont want with someone like Ramos punishing you.

He's absolutely there on merit, but he has featured at 6 a few times for Farrell too.

Nonoffence to anyone but The level of our 10 has fallen off a cliff since Sexton retired, friday will probably tell us how far it has fallen (hopefully not far) and give us an indication of what the future holds.

One thing that stood out to me there was when he talked about how the 10 involves themselves in the play, and who makes "the big pass". He pointed out that Ringrose, Hansen and Keenan were often given that role, while sexton would be calling the play and having a smaller involvement. He also says that Crowley tends to take on the big role like that himself.

Could be interesting to see how that plays out now that 2 of the three mentioned are out of the team. Maybe our 10 will need to take on more themselves?

Agree with this. The only issue I have, is I don't think Ryan is an impact player. I'd say that Hendo or Beirne would be more impact full from the bench.