Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

Yeah, that’s it, it’s all the big bad media again. Andy Farrell picks his team based on what Ruadhri O’Connor and Gerry Thornley think.
#conspiracy.

Mod: NO provincialism / baiting.

This is abject nonsense.

Farrell, when asked about Crowley, said “some real good stuff actually”. He tempered it a little bit by saying “and some bits you’d like to tidy up” - which is entirely fair and accurate.

It’s natural there would be a press focus on a 21 year old on debut.

You’re inventing sleights in your head here (no love for Crowley) and fantastical situations about the players “kicking back at him”, and calling what are perfectly fair and balanced comments a disgrace.
#conspiracy

I actually don’t follow, haven’t a clue what you’re on about.

He was asked a specific question about Crowley and gave a fair and honest response. He might have been a little more gushing about how good he was in the first 40 mins (where I thought he was excellent, one of his best 40 mins in green), but he did, like a lot of his teammates, lose his way a bit in the second half and make some mistakes.

Crowley is the sort of character who looks like he demands a lot of himself and has that drive - this is what comes with being the Irish 10. You’re going to be the first or second player the coach is asked about, and the bar is high in terms of expectations.

On Prendergast - it’s not a like for like comparison right now. He was fulsome in his praise in my view relative to his situation.

Some of the headlines about this game, like the Independent say: “Andy Farrell hails Crowley and Prendergast impacts but slams penalty count” - that’s a fairly cry from your depiction above.

I would argue you completely misrepresented the situation.

He didn’t call out Crowley either - he was asked the question ffs and gave a very fair and honest reply. Is he supposed to lie?

Calling it scapegoating is conspiracy theory nonsense, along with your little fan fiction about the squad dividing etc. With the greatest respect, you haven’t an absolute rashers what is going on in the squad.

There is no need to get upset.
it is what it is. I am not the only one who has commented on how Farrell is treating Crowley.

I am not in the squad but have been around enough club squads to know what’s going on here and where this is going to end.
Farrell has his mind made up he wants Pendergast as his starting 10, he is in the process of making this happen.

I’m not the one getting upset, and I’m also not the one inventing scenarios in my head.

There’s nothing remotely unfair in Farrell’s comments on Crowley and his performance over the past few weeks.

On Osborne, I think we’ve just witnessed the passing of the baton from Aki to Osborne as part of the triumvirate in the centre.

I think Aki is on the wane and along with the transfer rumours I think he’ll be finding himself down the pecking order.

I’m not keen on seeing Osborne in the back 3 as his main position as I think he’s best at 12 and you should try have players in their best positions.

We’ve rarely had all 3 of Aki, Henshaw and Ringrose fit at the same time. If that continues to be the case then Osborne will get plenty of starts if he’s fit.
That then begs the question of what to do with Frawley who’s best position is also 12?

some people getting very upset and tetchy with other posters when having to discuss something on the internet which they don't agree with.

If we all thought the same way, it wouldn’t be much of a discussion forum, would it .

i think its just that Farrell is coming across very annoyed after the last 2 games, and i dont blame him His body language during the match is getting the tv directors attention as well.

He’s being asked direct questions about Crowley and prendergast as tension sells clicks. And is only being honest in his answers.

He will need to learn how to hold his cards close to his chest as lions coach ashes dealing with only friendly media now , but the Oz media are sharks.

he has speed absolutely