Hendo has done enough to deserve a start and at the same time McCarthy hasnt done enough to keep his place.
Mccarthy needs to show on his next opportunity that he hasnt been found out, that his performance against France wasnt down to his new impact and the opposition being unaware of his linespeed because england got away from it time and time again when he attempted it. He did very little against England to be positive about.
Farrell needs to not only “freshen things up” but select a 15 and a 23 that lights a fire under a lot of players because one of the criticisms of him thats completely valid is his lack of ruthlessness and loyalty to point of fault to a lot of players.
Henderson was awful off the bench last weekend, Joe wasn't good either but not sure Henderson has done anything to get ahead of him.
Saturday was the first blip in what's been an excellent start to Joe McCarthy's Ireland career and people want him dropped already. He's an infant in the lifespan of a TH lock. We'll gain far more from sticking with McCarthy than starting 32 year old, 80 cap Henderson.
Think Baird absolutely has to start this game. I'd be very surprised if he does, but for me the time is now to move on from POM and back Baird.
The wing debate is an interesting one. Larmour form has been decent for Leinster but there's still the big question marks over his aerial ability. But at the same time it would be good to see him get a start in a full strength Ireland backline. At 29 I think the Wingrose ship has sailed.
Someone pointed out on Twitter that warming up with the team were McCloskey and Stockdale - a fit Ringrose might leapfrog McCloskey for the bench but it looks like if it's not Nash, it's Stockdale rather than Larmour.
Stockdales form for Ulster has been 'questionable'.
To say the least unfortunately.
Stockdale is not starting on the right wing.
I would think he was in Twickenham primarily as backup to Lowe.
Imagine him attempting to defend against van der Merwe!
It would be nonsensical to select him over Larmour.
I would love to see Mccloskey marking Vdm.
Stockdale would be a gaff, imo. I donate him anymore. Henderson could give us a good 50 minutes. I think it's obvious the Joe McCarthy hasn't played as well as he did in the opener. He's an International newbie! No harm in having him sprung from the bench.
There will be a reaction on Saturday. I think we will win going away.
Would love to see Baird start.
We will beat the Scots and think we are world's best again but we have major problems, scrum always liable to give away penalties against the top teams and lineout is unreliable so POC may have to go, POM is a great leader but too old now and contributes very little in open play, time for baird or Doris to 6 and conan to 8 maybe, the 6-2 split needs 2 reserve backs in Murray and frawley who can't get on their provincial team so that's not ideal, we also have an aging team so need to start blooding guys
Our scrum has been pretty good this tournament really. Couple of penalties conceded to France, but was pretty dominant over Italy and Wales.
Our last 2 defeats were:
We've lost 4 games in our last 33 matches. (The only one that wasn't a 1-score game was in Eden Park where NZ have never lost a game in the pro era).
Wales have lost 4 games in their last 4 matches.
That's "major problems".
Frisch has been released back to Munster.
Much ado about fecken nothing so.
Our loosehead prop literally needs to have his arm held up by his flanker. For an elite level prop that is absolutely embarrassing. Our set piece has been poor this 6N, continuing on from the World Cup where it was a massive contribution to our failure.
Ulster form has been questionable, would love to see them turn it around and Stockdale get back to his best
Much rather invest in Baloucoune over Stockdale
Its believed Frisch is Galthie’s Karl Ludwig Schulmeister
How does one change their username, here?
'invest' in a player who is 26 and only one year younger?
Invest in a player with a higher ceiling and unique talents.
Really? Bala has never shown the promise at international level which Stockdale has
Plus as pointed out he is not a young player anymore
Back to 5-3 split on the bench and he's sticks with his team bar injury
Gerry wants us to guess the 5th forward 😂
Controversial 4-3 bench split
Just edited to say that Gerry had us guessing the 5th forward
Baloucoune is unfortunately on a run of really poor form at the moment and hasn't had a great season in general, since the coaching change he's even been dropped for Ulster for McIlroy.
With the signing of Werner Kok who also plays primarily on the right wing it would seem ominous for Baloucoune's role in the future.
Is he missing Conan there?
Conan maybe still injured?
But he’s only named 7 on the bench. Maybe it’s explained in the article.
Hence why I asked the question :-)
He suggests Baird is covering the row and Conan the backrow which would leave Hendo out. If you switch java script off on your phone you can read it.
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