My point is not every game has to be do or die and not every game has to be the same selection barring injury.
10 of the touring squad have <10 caps
Also France aren't "willing" to do anything, they are generally forced by the clubs.
Absolutely nobody is claiming every game is do or die, and there are absolutely obvious opportunities when Ireland experiment with younger and more callow squads, but this tour is hardly the one for wholesale experimentation.
As others have already posted just above; the last time Ireland toured Argentina we also sent a highly experimental squad.
Even as it is; they've included three uncapped players in this squad.
Well hopefully Izuchukwu, prendergast and osbourne get w chance to show what theve got
I fear as per usual come November nz, argentina and aus will be seen as not ones for experimentation again, particularlywith Easterby at the helm trying to make a name for himself
The clubs dont want players playing in the semi finals of the top 14 touring. France have gone far beyond that though
Easterby isn't at the helm in the AIs.
France are basically using the tour as a quasi equivalent of the Emerging Ireland tour.
There is nothing particularly innovative or novel about this approach. If France were touring South Africa this summer, there is absolutely no way they would make the selection they've made.
Why, in any event, France are seen as the model for all to follow too is a bizarre one. They are arguably close to now being the largest and wealthiest rugby playing nation in the world; it's a really popular sport in a massive country (population almost 68m), that has in excess of 30 professional rugby teams, and yet they equally haven't managed to get past the QFs of the last three RWCs and won exactly 1 Six Nations Championship since 2011 (Ireland have won 5 in the same period).
I hate to always be that guy with the facts and reality, but France have not named their touring squad yet
I thought this tour was farrells last until post lions?
So did I
This piece in today's FT sets out he will be in-situ for the November games:
https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/2024/06/20/irfu-confirms-scope-to-plug-coaching-gap-during-andy-farrells-lions-commitment/
Which is what Ireland has done
Ireland v Scotland 2020, that's a significant number of changes over a 4 year period
Forwards
Backs
Replacements
and in 2024
Farrell will for Autumn, Easterby is for EI which I guess you meant
Some of Coombes Stats
'Presented without comment', alright yeah.
Yeah, I was thinking that's what would make sense. The RWC will be three years away when the tour takes place (compared to one year away for the last EI tour) so in terms of development for the World Cup in selection you can give more weighting to potential compared to last time.
They obviously don't want to handicap the provinces in the URC, and it's diminishing gains anyway if they select someone whose already been on the last EI tour or in Ireland camp. The coaches have less to learn about them, and the players aren't going to get much new from it.
Also this tour can be used as replacement gametime for squad players who would have seen more action when there were more games in the league season. It's good practice for Easterby too with him set to take the reins while Farrell's involved with the Lions.
How many players who are making the matchday squad for their province will be taken? I can only see it being a handful - Wilson, Prendergast, Devine. Maybe there won't be any, with the thinking being if they're getting good exposure in the URC it's better not to disrupt that.
Presented without comment should say "presented without analysis" - for the reasons I went into yesterday.
These pure volume stats are not in and of themselves all that impressive to me (or it would appear to the Ireland coaching staff).
There is no point in carrying the ball over 200 times if you're only carrying it for 2m per carry on average.
Anyone not retired from that first teams still in irish squads 😂 t
In fact their all likely still in matchday 23s when healthy
I wonder would they consider Stockdale on the right wing this July. Nash is good, but he's more going to hold his own at this level than impose himself.
Being left-footed would actually be an advantage when kicking to touch on the right side of the field if you have enough time. How much would he actually be forced into pressurised situations where he'd need to kick with his right?
Perhaps with pure volume stats in isolation; but in combination?
You previously explained Joe McCarthy's reduced ruck volume because of the amount he carries. And there is something to that.
One final point from me on McCarthy's ruck numbers: I think it shouldn't be overlooked that he is carrying a huge amount of ball, and being utilised as a carrier (and dummy runner) a lot by Leinster. Obviously when you're being gameplanned in that way, you're inevitably going to hit less offensive rucks... it does explain a volume disparity IMO
One final point from me on McCarthy's ruck numbers: I think it shouldn't be overlooked that he is carrying a huge amount of ball, and being utilised as a carrier (and dummy runner) a lot by Leinster. Obviously when you're being gameplanned in that way, you're inevitably going to hit less offensive rucks.
.. it does explain a volume disparity IMO
But Coombes appears to be hitting volume for both ruck and carries (he's clearly also being gameplanned in that way). That is to his credit. He's a complete workhorse.
Yeah, I don't dispute he's a workhorse. He's a really honest, hardworking player.
But I've been through the carrying stats already in detail and I feel I've illustrated why he is evidently not that effective a carrier based on even basic analysis of those stats.
I haven't seen the detailed ruck stats, and I've commented on the tackle stats.
None of it though is evidence of the sort of guy with the star quality that demands international inclusion. He's a valuable squad player for Munster over a season unquestionably, but these sheer volume stats he accumulates by playing a lot of URC minutes do not make the case for him to be an international IMO.
The only point I'm making is that if you've explained why McCarthy's attacking ruck stats are reduced cos he carries so frequently, it suggests that Coombes deserves credit for marrying both. That logicially is impressive by your own explanation of McCarthy's reduced numbers (which you described as "inevitable")
Volume does matter in an attritional game like rugby. I'm entirely convinced Coombes wouldn't let Ireland down, akin to McCloskey before him.
Hes more than a valuable squad player for munster theres a good chance hes player of the year for them again
Or of coarse if he hit less rucks and tackles less hed have more energy for big carries
I think Osborne would be a good option on the left wing. He's got a cannon of a boot, and is obviously very capable as a 1st receiver. If Lowe got injured for Leinster, I think he'd be slotted in there
Given he won the Players' Player of the Season vote I can't wait to see how he goes when he does hit better form!
Hmmm, I would say probably JOB would start at 11 if Lowe was absent and Larmour and Keenan were available to complete the back three.
But yeah, I'm always interested to see what Osborne brings. If O'Brien needs to be replaced on this tour I'd like to see Osborne slot in at fullback.
He is not very fast, Ireland is lacking pace in the backs
Fair comment, but I doubt he's any slower than Lowe.
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