Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

Sigh. Another one.

Nevermind what ?

Have always though 6-2 was hugely risky. Having a fit Ringrose and leaving him out of the 23 due to this decision makes it even more bizarre. Understand he may have continued with Aki and Henshaw as Ringrose had been out for a bit but bizarre not to have him in the 23 especially considering he can cover wing too.

Not me, have never liked it. It backfired and always has the chance of backfiring.

What makes it such a spectacularly bad call for Ireland isn't just that we don't have huge men to bring on but that by going 6-2 you are always two injuries away from JGP ending up on the wing as he is wing cover. Our fall off from 9 when JGP isn't there is colossal as we saw. JGP in my eyes is a critical player for this Ireland side and we always play so much better with him at 9, by going 6-2 you add more risk here for little gain. You go 5-3 JGP finishes the game at 9 and we win.

It's just wrong and poor tactics for Ireland.

Yes and we don't

Delighted. Utterly delighted. Back to back Championships. I never thought I'd live to see that achievement with this team and the way they play.

Overall this has been another incredibly successful tournament for Ireland. Our backline depth was heavily tested and while there were struggles it hasn't stopped us from winning another Championship.

Sexton is gone, Hansen and JOB missed the entire thing, Ringrose only returned for the final game and Keenan was absent for the final two fixtures. That's four starters in last season's Grand Slam victory and also the main back line replacement. Nash did very well on the wing and whilst we missed Hansen's playmaking ability a lot, the overall solidity Nash added was definitely needed.

Our attacking structures haven't looked as solid this tournament, but that's yo be expected when you lose someone as great as Sexton. But the absence of Hansen was also a big one. Would have taken some of the responsibility off Crowley's shoulders like he did for Jonny. I expect he'll be back in as a starter for Ireland when he's fit again.

The 6-2 bench experiment has been a success as well imo. It's allowed us to bring Ryan Baird into the game earlier and he has made so many positive contributions on the ball and at the lineout that I think he's now pushed himself into pole position to succeed POM as Ireland's next starting blindside flanker.

Ronan Kelleher has also re-established himself as Ireland's next option at hooker after Sheehan. Looks very strong in contact again and must be good for a breakdown steal every game.

That was nice. Touch of class.

Sexton wasnt our best player last year.

or the year before that either.

No slam, but a championship. Decent result while not being very good. Some transition is needed.

In the first season post-Sexton, a Championship win is great. I was 29 before I got to see Ireland win a Championship. We should enjoy it!

I think we can acknowledge we are in a period of transition. Jack Crowley, Joe McCarthy, Ciaran Frawley, Calvin Nash will have benefited massively from this experience. Granted - the 3 backs all got their opportunity out of injuries to incumbents but they all held their own.

I would've liked to see Craig Casey get a few more games.

Delighted for Peter O Mahony to get to lift a championship trophy. Whatever happens, he has been a fantastic servant to Irish Rugby. The way he sticks up for his teammates is top class. There was an interview a few years back where the commitment of his Munster teammates and he chopped the interviewer at the ankles. No one can ever question his effort and commitment.