Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

It qualifies as dangerous play under the laws, and the severity of the outcome of his dangerous actions deserved a red. He had no business doing what he did, he should have paid for his decision to take out a player in the manner he did off the ball.

My Guess:

South Africa: Team named today at 11:30am.

Willie le Roux; Kurt-Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Cheslin Kolbe; Handre Pollard, Faf de Klerk; Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi, Frans Malherbe; Eben Etzebeth, Franco Mostert; Siya Kolisi (capt), Pieter-Steph du Toit, Evan Roos.

Reps: Malcolm Marx, Steenekamp, Vincent Koch, Moerat, RG Snyman, Kwagga Smith, Grant Williams, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.

IRELAND: Team named Thursday?

Jimmy O'Brien or Osborne; Calvin Nash, Gar®y Ringrose, Jamie Osborne or McCloskey, James Lowe* or Stockdale (gulp); Jack Crowley, Conor Murray; Andrew Porter*, Rónan Kelleher, Tadhg Furlong; Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne; Peter O’Mahony (capt), Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris.

Reps: Herring, Cian Healy, Finlay Bealham, James Ryan, Ryan Bird, Cormac Izuchukwu, Blade, Sam Prendergast.

Score: 28-13*

I'd completely disagree, if you see the tackle it is clear that he slams a vulnerable player backwards flat on his back, that will definitely result in whiplash head off the ground, there was no other way that tackle was going to turn out. And it was late, and the ball was gone, player was not in possession of the ball, the outcome was severe. It ticks all the boxes for dangerous play, should have been reffed properly, that should not be tolerated in the sport.

If he had the possession of the ball it could be considered a legal tackle. Once a player is not expecting a hit after the ball was passed away it becomes a much more dangerous thing as the player is not prepared for it.

I remember certain posters dismissing other posters views about Beirne as a second row over the years!

Not a big or powerful unit by second-row standards
Wont amount to anything more than 19/20 jersey
Will struggle to make Munster starting XV
He mustn't be showing it in training
Lineout misfires when he's selected
The bright new shiny thing etc etc

A vital cog in the Irish engine room since Farrell took over.

Genuine Qs would you take the SA Lock over the Irish?

My own view is that I would have taken the Irish Locks over the SA Locks before the RWC.

That also doesn't mean the SA Locks aren't world class.

And i'd still take the Irish

….& still think McCarthy was underused at the RWC.

Played the opening game v Romania & didn't play another minute until NZ…5 weeks later!!