Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

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I agree, I don't really love the Beirne at 6 pick. Just don't feel we get the best from him there, and he's too talented for that. Didn't think he went brilliantly at 6 in the second test in SA either. I'd have started him alongside Ryan here, put Joe on the bench for impact, and picked one of the younger 6s to start.

I don't think any of them are at Wallace Sititi's level (despite him being younger than all of them I think), but agree they will bring a bit more dynamism to the pack overall.

I agree as well on Conan - think we got another reminder of how valuable he is from his absence last week. I'm a little fearful though that he might be moving on at season's end.

I'm really excited for Sam Prendergast to make his debut. I think he's the youngest player to make his potential debut for Ireland since Ryan Baird back in 2021. Really hope it goes well for him.

Does seem strange to warn this post. Excellent points IMO and right to flag it up. A lot of good posters have moved on over the years as a result. There needs to be a review on how to make the Irish thread a more healthy place as it frequently turns toxic.

The soccer forum is membership only. Maybe this would help us reduce the amount of incendiary posts immediately post match which would a generate a healthier debate in the following days rather than allowing the ‘sea gulls’ to stir the pot for a week?

mod: warned.

Half of the XV? and who?

Well obviously not half of them as that would result in half a person. To be pedantic 7 one week and 8 the next… As for who… Anybody, the idea is to make a point to the players that there are consequences to playing like they did last week

Just on a slightly separate note. Henshaw coming in for Aki is also not the most inspiring of changes.

Agreed

I really thought Osborne was deserving of a chance at 12.

His left foot from 12 is going to give Ireland an excellent option.

We have James Lowe more than capable of executing that option if we need it

That was the previous season I think phog (RWC was last season). We only had 3 fixtures that season, this season it's 4 so surely he'll sit out Fiji this time round.

Looking professional, not having so many errors, even if we lose, is better than what happened last Friday

I'm the opposite on this. I like Beirne at blindside. His poaching ability and his ability around the fringes is massive.

Other than him, I would go with Cian P. Then have Baird or Izzy on the bench. Granted it looks like we've only got the 3 quality locks and there's a drop off after them but, Izzy or Baird could also give good minutes from the bench

Yeah, I get that. I just think it tips the balance too much in the favour of the team kicking the ball, and therefore encourages a lot more kicking. That's not something I necessarily want to see more of in the game.

I'm not opposed to the concept of a change that encourages more high contests for the ball, but I think this tips the scales way too much in favour of the kicking team.

I think they're all good and valid points in fairness, but I still just feel it is diverging too far in favour of rewarding the kicking team.

Like most laws, I guess the proof will be in the actual implementation over the coming weeks etc. Will be keen to see how it is refereed over this weekend's games, as I felt there were a few really spurious ones this past weekend.

I’m not a fan of it. There’s too much scope for running into the back of someone to buy a penalty which we already saw last weekend in the NZ game and Scotland SA game. Rewards a team with a lead to kick the ball away and win cheap opportunities for a kick at goal to kill the game.