Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

No, he didn't just randomly come out with it. But equally, was he under no obligation to include it.

Yes, the publishers are likely using the most inflammatory excerpts to promote the book. But equally it's not difficult to imagine that Sexton's reason for including excerpts like this wasn't just for the sake of promoting the book.

I don't see the problem in posters discussing it, even if they haven't been around here in months.

If we grant you all this, it still doesn’t necessarily mean what they’re saying isn’t accurate. Why can’t we focus on that?

Or, put another way, why can’t we attack the post and not the poster?

It’s not difficult to suggest a correlation between a poster being absent for months and, immediately on their return, being called bitter for having an opinion on Sexton that differs to yours…

I'm not attacking anything or anyone, neither post nor poster.

You were literally implying other posters were bitter… for saying something that you’re now agreeing is accurate.

Anyways…

This. Posts on any social media create interest. Good and/or bad. Anyway I've read enough biographys about ex players to realise I won't be reading another.

If I'm ever going to read another rugby bio, I at least want to know it's going to be open and honest with some juicy stuff in there. I'll never forgive Peter Stringer for his effort, and Leo Cullen captaining us to three Heineken Cups is utterly negated by his book. Joe Schmidt, christ.

Jonny's book is absolutely coming my way on Christmas morning so here's hoping this Ioane thing isn't the highlight of it.

Don't forget, income on books is also tax-free so it's a no-brainer for players to do it. I just wish they'd do it better.

Pretty much all sport biographies are awful that I’ve read, it’s incredibly successful people talking about their success. They then need to try jam some minor controversies in to make it seem interesting. I’ve long since given up on them, I barely care about them off the pitch when they are playing and lose interest when they retire. It’s a side bar of celebrity culture and Really it’s just people doing their jobs.

The only one I can say I've enjoyed in the last while is the Keith Earls one where he's pretty open about his mental health struggles, something you wouldn't ordinarily get from sports books of that nature.

I mean I think Ioane looks particularly bad here especially considering NZ didn’t even win the bloody tournament. The recent comments from Dagg don’t come off great either. NZ didn’t win the World Cup because their whole approach and motivation was driven by resentment and the massive chip on their shoulder they had after losing a test series to us on their home turf, being trashed by SA in the rugby championship and get hammered by france in the group stages. That resentment anger that they used to fuel motivation and edge out victories can only get you so far. It cost them in the final as their aggression brought out indiscipline and Cane went off with a red. It would benefit them to become more humble as a group, this defensive ‘attitude’ isn’t working for them.

Why though? would you not be interested in hearing more about our tech world's relentless innovation and the rugby team's resilience thats echoed in our startups?

Wouldn't have any arguments there, but if you take JGP out the bar is unfortunately not that high. Should be in the AI squad over one of the Munster 9s, I wouldn't mind which one.

Please explain what could go wrong?

I said we should include him in the squad not start him v NZ.

Also I don’t see what point is being made about the quality of opposition when one of his competitors was made to look bang average by Zebre.

At some point it’ll be the right time to move on from Conor Murray - he turns 36 this season. It’s similar to Cian Healy, but here there seem to be viable alternatives unlike at LHP.

Ben Murphy has probably been the form Irish player of the URC so far this season IMO.