Sigh. Another one.
It's not Andy Farrell's job to develop props. That's a job for the provinces. He absolutely doesn't want to play Porter for 70 minutes every game, but the drop off from him to everyone else is so vast that he doesn't really have a choice.
Also, it's clear that Farrell identified this year as a continuity one rather than one where the squad should be overhauled. And seeing as we're on the brink of another Six Nations championship win, he hasn't gotten that wrong.
Was hinted a few times, probably catching up on him now and he was making rumours post WC....maybe head out now at top and hopefully winning captain of 6 nations
Suppose it all depends on your point of view. Personally think they were all odd and bizarre calls and all mistakes.
6-2 makes little sense for a country like Ireland as we don't have racks of huge men to come on and batter the opposition like the Saffers do. It doesn't make any sense so it's a major mistake. That is on Farrell just as the POM and Murray decisions were. In my eyes big mistakes not just issues or 50:50 calls and that brings into question judgment at the very highest level.
Don't think anyone is seriously suggesting he is under pressure or should go but mistakes are mistakes so noted and move on. Next phase of games will be interesting. If Farrell clears the decks a bit (Murray, POM, Healy etc) and takes a few more chances on younger players he's moving forward and that's all we can ask.
Nevermind what ?
Winger doesn't get knocked out in first 5 mins and the 6-2 bench wasn't a mistake. Captain Hindsight is something all international coachs would love
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.
Captain Hindsight
The 6-2 bench would have worked without an early injury, an early injured which allowed an early try
If Farrell knew all of this would he have changed? who knows. But the hindsight brigade show up on all occasions with the "I always thought" posts
As England best chacne was to bully Ireland and use their brute force, huge lad at 6, the 6-2 bench was the best option to match that
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.
6-2 makes little sense for a country like Ireland as we don't have racks of huge men to come on and batter the opposition like the Saffers do.
Have you seen our bench?
Yes and we don't
My wish for next year is that Matt Williams has moved on from TV analysis.
Nothing wrong with matty....I like him and majority do or he wouldnt be on tv
He must be cheap because no one else would have him
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.
We did it 10 years ago to be fair...
No one has ever done 3 in a row in the period of outright wins...
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.
Back to Back with a RWC in between and after losing your best player and captain.
Ringrose was badly missed IMO.
The Henshaw/Aki combo had no combined impact in last 2 games. No line breaks or putting other players into space. Aki made some incredible yards with guys hanging off him but then static ruck ball.
Ringrose back with Aki or Henshaw will make big impact for summer tour.
Happy with the win but I thought you could tell in this championship especially toward the end that this is a team on the cusp of transition.
I hope the summer tour is used wisely.
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.
Lovely touch by POM
That was nice. Touch of class.
Congrats to the team for winning the championship
Going to be brilliant for the rest of the year with the games we have lined up. Friday night games in November is new and exciting
Sexton wasnt our best player last year.
or the year before that either.
JGP has entered Hugo Keenan territory of importance to Ireland. He's just levels above every other scrum half in Ireland.
He's the biggest success of Farrell's coaching tenure. The coaches identified him as the fast thinking, running threat who would beat suit the way we wanted to play.
Wasn't Leinster's clear cut starting 9, but promoted to Ireland's starter and has just gotten better and better. His passing and decision making is so good now. But the biggest improvement is his box kicking. Gets so much distance and height from them. With Dupont playing 7's I think there's no finer scrum half playing in Europe withy now.
No slam, but a championship. Decent result while not being very good. Some transition is needed.
He was one of the best and some would say the best because of the way he ran the team
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.
You're a great man to deliver the hyperbole, he's had a fine tournament for us and is in very good form... but are you forgetting some of his poorer performances and decision-making in green and blue?
I suspect if Casey or Blade got game time we'd be just fine with them in the same team. I guess we'll find out in summer/autumn
