Okay, I honestly don't care this much about this argument. I gave my reasons and rationale, you disagree, whatever.
I'd expect Ireland to lose this tour and I also expect Ireland to decline somewhat over the next year at least. Its not really about our talent but more that we relied on synergy imo between ireland and leinster's systems that doesn't exist any more and will get wider. That should start being apparent. In fact, i think one of the mistakes of the world cup was that we didn't as purely play that style post the NZ tour.
Whichever one of Ringrose or Henshaw isn't starting at 13 (assuming Aki is at 12) would be an excellent #23. Stockdale and Osborne would be good options too. McCloskey's done it in the past, but for me that only works if Henshaw starts at 12 and can move to outside centre if necessary.
We have JOB, Osborne and Frawley who can all play across the entire back line. Depending on who gets slotted for 15, 2 out of that 3 could be on the bench, along with a SH.
This make's absolutely no sense. I think you are massively overthinking things.
I was pondering what the squad might look like for a summer tour next year while a lot of the players would be away with the Lions. I'd like to see them play Argentina. That would be a challenge in line with where Ireland now are.
lh: Tom O'Toole, Jeremy Loughman, Jack Boyle
h: Ronan Kelleher, Rob Herring, Tom Stewart
th: Finlay Bealham, Oliver Jager, Scott Wilson
sr: James Ryan, Iain Henderson, Thomas Ahern
bs: Cormac Izuchukwu, Ryan Baird
os: Will Connors, John Hodnett
no. 8: Jack Conan, Nick Timoney
sh: Craig Casey, Caolan Blade, Nathan Doak
oh: Ciarán Frawley, Sam Prendergast, Harry Byrne
lw: Jacob Stockdale, Shane Daly
ic: Stuart McCloskey, Jamie Osborne
oc: Robbie Henshaw, Stewart Moore
rw: Calvin Nash, Jordan Larmour
fb: Jimmy O'Brien
Maybe Healy, O'Mahony and Murray would still be selected. They are playing next season, but it would probably be hanging on too long.
The backrow could look quite different. Maybe Timoney is considered at openside. And McCann, Culhane or Gleeson could come into the mix.
Scrumhalf is interesting. I'd like to see Patterson, Devine and Gunne taken on the EI tour. Could any of them then kick on into consideration for Ireland?
Herring would be 35. If he had been phased out by then I'd say Lee Barron might be next up.
But if you look at the 23, which Farrell seems to do, as the best 23 he has available is a 6 -2 spilt more likely because we have better forwards compared to the backs
Then he has to have 2 backs on the bench
To me thats what he was doing in 6 nations
Looking forward to this! Hope we smash em but worried we’ll fall short. I’m certain we’d win at least one of the matches if played at home tho
Two good showing, hopefully one win and maybe identify one new player for the 23 would be a success
It amounts to wanting an extra backrower basically, perhaps in part due to POM not being capable of maintaining his game for a full 80. McCarthy and Baird/ Conan is sufficient cover across the back row imo. VdF and Doris are well capable of playing well for an entire match, as are Beirne and Ryan typically. For me, I think there would be more value in bringing on a fresh centre and outside back to exploit tired bodies towards the end of game.
If you look at the options in the 6 nations the backs hadn't got huge talent sitting outside of the 23, Ringrose was injured, Hansen was out etc
If Farrell had a full fit squad to pick from I think he would go 5-3 all the time like he did before. POM getting taken off is not an issue as they always seemed to take a backrow off…..
I would prefer a 5-3, I dont like the 6-2 and we are just trying to copy a SA team whcih we are not, I dont think it worked at Leinster either
Baird still blows very hot and cold. I think I'd be more confident seeing Izuchukwu's name down to start at blindside if it wasn't O'Mahony.
Yeah cap a lad that has played one full 80 mins
V the world champions in their own backyard
He'd want to be a special talent to warrant that based on this year's appearances
You're talking about Izuchukwu here, and not O'Mahony, right?
Baird makes breaks when there's already a gap for him to run through, but, from what I've seen, Izuchukwu can break a tackle and then make a run. The latter is a more useful ability against this SA team (or just in general).
Yes, he has played 500 odd mins of rugby, can't see him starting
How much did Hansen play before he was selected? if he is ripping it up in training then Im sure Farrell wil put him in
He had more mins for connacht and 2 or 3 super rugby seasons behind him
7 full 80 min games plus a super rugby season including a final
Izuchukwu had a run of minutes v scarlets, munster & leinster, outside of that v little
Well & good if he's ripping it up in training but don't see the club form to justify a start v SA imo
he has played before this season and had the EI tour
Murray Kinsella has a pretty cool piece today about how a Japanese rugby coach, Atsushi Tanabe, the attack coach of the Kubota Spears, spent a couple of weeks here to enhance his coaching skills etc. Bernard Jackman facilitated/set it up, and during his time here he spent some time with: Paul O'Connell, Jacques Nienaber, Andrew Goodman, Mike Prendergast, Simon Broughton (Leinster Academy manager), Mark Sexton (Connacht Attack coach), Alan Kingsley (Argentina kicking coach) and Andy Skehan (St Michael's College head coach).
His interesting takeaway, and comparison to Japan, was how Ireland really have developed its own style and systems, by comparison to Japan, which he feels is still extremely NZ/Aus influenced.
Thanks for the summary - saw the article on the42 but couldn't get past the pay wall. Interesting stuff.
Pop your phone on flight mode and turn off WiFi and you can read the articles.. allegedly...
don't think you get access to the comments... but not a bad thing.
Edit: not sure if allowed.
Seems a regular thing to do, Lancaster done it around NZ before joining Leinster. Flannary did it around NZ as well and I think Aus a few years back etc
Let the Rassie antics begin!
Whats the point here? he is going to say they have less caps or something?
I seen a video interview nad he was going on about Ireland winning v SA but he wasn't saying Ireland would be favourites
Farrell should do his usual and just ignore this nonsense
The whole "oh Zebo called me after and that's not what I said" was rubbish as well
Caps and weight.
is Rassie trying to boost ticket sales.
It sold out in record time already
Rassie, as always, wants people to wonder what Rassie is up to. So..... ✅
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