Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

I think it would have been a mistake to start Sam Prendergast against NZ, or even to have him on the bench. Crowley has credit in the bank, was the man in possession, and was ok against the ABs. Kicked his kicks and restated well, brave as usual in defence behind a pack that struggled and a back line that kept dropping the ball (as did Crowley on one occasion). He didn’t manage the game well but he’s not that experienced yet and he’s the best we’ve got atm. Frawley also had credit but unfortunately had a bit of a nightmare for the 20 minutes he was on. Both calls correct imo. I’d have them both in the same positions next time out.

Prendergast has potential but he’s only played 20 odd times for Leinster and rarely started. He also seems to have not fully grown in to his body as yet. Stellar U20 career but that’s a different level to senior international. He needs time in the senior environment first. The problems yesterday were elsewhere. Indiscipline, dropped balls, very uncharacteristic. The line out is a mess though. Also, I thought the ref was woeful.

Leinster were 9th in the URC last season for lineout success and 10th the season before. That suggests to me that it is not just a coaching issue but a personnel issue as well. And that's coming from someone who doesn't think O'Connell has done a good job.

Aussies MOTM today in his first ever pro game apparently.

Australia are ranked 9th in the world behind Italy. They have way more need to experiment and take risks.

I understand why you say that but we always take the too cautious approach. We need to be a little bit more adventurous with our approach.

If POM, Healy, Murray and Henderson never got picked again I think that's fine. It needs to happen

Which I wouldn’t entirely disagree with and can see where that’s coming from.

But I’d absolutely disagree with the suggestion that Prendergast should be fast tracked in ahead of Crowley and Frawley.

Saying we need to wait for some indeterminate time to bring in a clearly massively talented player has no logic to it. 

That’s not what I’ve argued. I just don’t think he’s done enough, and Crowley done so little, that Prendergast being parachuted in is warranted. (Tho it’s closer with Frawley, imo).

but foreign clubs will not want those players, they will want players like furlong Doris porter van der flier ringrose etc etc.
It’s either that or introduce a salary cap at Leinster to force the younger talented players to move within Ireland.

either way something must happen to ensure the cream of the young players coming through at Leinster do not stop progressing because they are allowed to sit never ending waiting in the wings in Dublin.

Sexton didnt help the team. A bit like Joe marler gave the kiwis ammo

Going by how the team didn't show up id guess they don't like sexton too much. It may be a bad idea to drag him back into camp after all this drama he has caused.