Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

Did you mean to say Izuchukwu and Baird are better back rows than locks..? Baird is definitely a better back row than lock and Izuchukwu is only going because of his swap to 6.

One year left on both Coombes and Hodnetts contracts. You’d imagine both would have more money on offer abroad, especially Coombes, who would be a great fit for Top 14. Obviously it depends on their priorities but neither is anywhere close to the Ireland squad based on these selections. As a Munster fan I’m very worried.

Interesting squad, I'd have left Healy at home, maybe POM too but then not sure who steps up to the leadership plate in that environment. Murray could have been left at home too but he's had a good season and still has plenty to offer and once JGP was out there was no way he was being left out. I've always liked Blade so happy to see him in, not his best season but he's a good 3rd 9 to have and won't let us down if he does end up on the pitch.

Prendergast, not sure what he's done to get on a squad like this so soon but it'll be a good experience for him. He could get eaten alive defensively if he makes it on the field but I don't think that's why he's there.

No idea what Coombes and Hodnett have to do to get a look in, baffles me completely. Glad for Izzy, exciting prospect. Loughman is unlucky from a Munster point of view but don't think the others taken instead are miles ahead, tight enough call that I'm not too pushed about.

Larmour, love him going forward in terms of x-factor but I don't see him improving his positioning or aerial ability at 27 at this stage. Willie Le Roux had a field day down his wing. Hope Nash starts as he's just a better player.

Big tour for Casey, he was poor the last day but that was the exception rather than the norm. Good chance to lay serious claim to the back 9 jersey.

The only surprise for me , is that with JGP not going , Cooney not given a go as backup, assume its his age, given Johnny no longer involved.

My take is I don't think Coombes was dropped for Munster, there was an evolution in our approach as we got more of our squad fit again and decided to try him (and others) from the bench to close out matches strongly. He was starting for the vast majority of the last few seasons. If Munster made a final versus Leinster or Bulls he'd start. Or if they got to play Glasgow all over again he'd start and so would Snyman (all imo). I wasn't too fond of the approach to be honest and posted as much but it did work on occasion against the weaker sides. I think it was a useful exercise by the coaching staff and I'm not going to complain about innovation but if we were at the business end of the season again next year I'd be hoping Coombes starts every day of the week. Maybe Gleeson/Edogbo/Quinn/Aherne can give us that oomph from the bench that JOD doesn't next season if we can keep a few fit.

JOD is well down the pecking order at international level and I'm not sure if you're serious there about him over Coombes possibly in green, he's still a good player at URC and Heineken level but those injuries robbed us a bit of his true potential. He's got the Mick O'Driscoll/Billy Holland role in the Munster squad now, he'll lead us in those dirty away nights in Wales and Scotland when our best players aren't available and his versatility means he's a great bench option.

I think your comment about his game not translating well could be closest to the truth, maybe not the international level bit of it, I think he'd do well internationally (and he has had good performances in green lest we forget, people seem to focus on his last game where he was just back from injury and had an off day as if that's his level and that's that). Just to how Farrell wants his 8 to play. I just think you get Doris to 6 and JvdF at 7 to do the carrying and leave Coombes blitzing attacking and defensive rucks like he's been doing all season maybe there's a fit there. Get him carrying the dirty yards tieing up tackles, offloading, and carrying close to the tryline. I don't think he'd partner well with Baird at 6, Prendergast maybe. Anyway, it's all moot, I don't think he can have done much more to be honest, if it was a player from another team posting those kind of stats I'd wager their fans would be saying the same.

It's a competitive position and Timoney and Prendergast are fine players too who I admire so good luck to them.

I think you'll find we prefer Frisch bitching nowadays.

I don't get why you're getting so worked up by fans calling for an inform player to be internationally recognised. I disagree with Ulster fans saying to call up Balacoune and Cooney, but I don't go "God, why are they still banging on about Cooney and Balacoune? Ian Dowling and Tomàs O'Leary were far superior players anyways".

Because there is squad number limitations, other players are just better in the eyes of the multiple title winning coach.

It's not difficult to figure out.