Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

I don't think Frawley is an international standard 15. He's too slow, and was exposed multiple times today because of that. He's a very good 12 and acceptable club level 15. I don't think he's good enough to cover 10 or 15 at this level, other than a break glass emergency.

Ben Earl is a v good player& was excellent today, he definitely goes on the lions tour, too early to say a nailed on starting 8 tho

Why would you not like saying it? If he's poor and underperforming, he should be cut loose. It is what it is.

What have I said that was critical of the team today?

There'll be a few changes for the Scotland game. Nash probably won't be available so maybe Larmour will come in? Don't think there's anyone else.

I think Baird might come in the start at blindside as well. But other than that I don't expect anything else.

Don't think it's all doom and gloom. We played poorly and lost. It happens.

JGP had a great game as did VDF. Keenan and Beirne played to a high standard as well. Henderson was decent off the bench also.

Ronan Kelleher is starting to find the form that got him into the Ireland squad a few years ago too. He's had some excellent cameos off the bench this tournament. Another breakdown steal this week. Think that's his third.

Indeed. It is a problem position.

Yes and the 6-2 really only works when you have a few speedsters in your three quarters to account for having to switch positions.

Pace is the one thing that this side does not have in abundance.

It’s Ok playing Wales and even having McCloskey on the wing from a 6-2. But we saw the folly of it today.

When he was dropped before he wasn't captain

When was the last time we dropped a captain?

Neither were left out of a championship decider..

Farrell has backed himself into a corner with this captain decision and he will probably stick with him again. And whip him off after 50 minutes again.

It's interesting to note that Conan has actually been brought on ahead of Baird in the last 2 games so might not have beem a straight swap baird for pom anyway.

Whats interesting about next week is that with both frawley and Nash failing HIA's, that most likely means both are out with a 7 day turnaround. With that situation, the 6/2 split might be gone, and we are back to a 5/3. In which case Larmour is most likely to start on the right wing with Harry byrne and ringrose on the bench.

Next year if Doak playes more 10 for Ulster he might be an option for a 6/2 split covering 9 and 10 ?

We're still going to beat Scotland and win the championship.

I echo others about watching Ireland in the mid 90's and getting thrashed all the time. Been enjoying watching Ireland a lot over the last while with all the wins and success.

We've got some amazing young talent that will be integrated over the next few years. Reckon we'll win a couple of more championships before the next WC and and finally get past the QF in it.

Looking forward to seeing what the constant moaners have to complain about when Ireland beat SA on the tour later this year.

Just put him/her/it on ignore. **** the mods

Great player is a stretch. Honest pro, yes, great player, no.