Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

How can Ulster and Ireland be completely at odds about O'Toole??

Because Ireland desperately need loosehead cover and are OK at tighthead.

Personally I wouldn't have Stockdale in the squad. Is Jimmy O'Brien injured?

yeah, JOB is injured, Larmour too, but Stockdale is in good form.

Thought they might be moving on from Healy, Henderson, POM, Murray and to a lesser extent Stockdale in this window.

From my count 5 of that squad is also currently injured/coming back from injury.

Deegan, Osbourne, Bolton can probably feel a bit hard done by if the above is correct.

Ben Murphy should be included. He's been very good. Deegan should be involved also. Pity that Loughman is injured, he's been playing well. With the current injuries among the squad, it's possible that there will be forced changes. I'd be happy if Forde made the squad. I reckon they'll include 5 players to mentor this block. Possibles could be, Postletwaithe, Gavin, Gleason, Boyle and Gus McCarthy.

Squad is out. Doris is our new captain. Prendergast and Izuchukwu the probable debutants for this series.

Interesting to see Kelleher named. Initial prognosis was that he'd miss at least the first game through injury. Might yet see Gus McCarthy called up from the training panel.

Clarkson has started the season well. Glad to see him get a panel spot.

Surprised that Deegan not selected. On form there's a couple in there without merit. Henshaw has yet to play and O'Mahoney is injured and not playing well. However, it's the most expected selection.

O'Mahony can't be both out injured and not playing well, surely?

Any ideas on when Jack Conan is due back? Had started the season well, opportunity for probably Prendergast there.

very few surprises there and even less to be outraged about.

That's not how Boards works and you know it.

Was the same during the Summer when Conan missed out for personal reasons - presumably one of Prendergast, Beirne or Timoney will cover it anything happens to Doris.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. If Cathal Forde was from Leinster, he'd be the most talked about young prospect in Irish rugby.

What about the world cup or have we forgotten about that

None of 3 will be there, why not give youth a chance (Blade/Forde,)

Let the young 10's make the 10 position their own not have the old 10 back in

Cullen replacement could look at Mark McCall, Felix Jones,