Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

POM made an impact when he came on alright. Claimed a few lineouts, carried well and his handling was excellent. Had some lovely passes. We really need a proper blindside starting in these games. No way Fraser McReight makes all those turnovers if we had a proper flanker on the field at 6. Not knocking Tadhg Beirne, but he's not quick enough anymore to get to the wide breakdowns first. He great as loose head lock where he takes up a much narrower position near the midfield rucks

I guess they were, who would have thunk it

For the 6 nations Crowley and Casey start, Bernie at lock, gus McCarthy starts, Conan at 8, Dorris at 6, ringrose is crucial to this team and always has been, Osborne must start whether 12 or 15, they must stop playing porter and furlong too long in games or they will both be wrecked soon, they must start to develop real depth and trust players and give them real game time.

I actually believe in building depth and rotation and giving youth it’s a chance.
We were told Farrell started Pendergast as he believed in this too but I don’t think Farrell does believe that, he is too conservative a coach and unless he changes his thinking Irish rugby is going nowhere but down.

I was wrong about Craig Casey I have no worries now when he comes on, even him starting above JGP wouldn't be unwarranted

Joe McCarty has some serious improving to do. His carrying was poor, and he doesn't do the work of a true lock. Needs to have more to his game that being a bigger back row.

predergast’s short passing was great against Fiji but today a better defence almost eliminated it as a threat, otherwise he was ordinary with decent kicking. He made one fantastic kick to touch but the lineout didn’t get off the ground! Hard to look good when basic stuff like that is giving the ball away. I thought Casey had a much bigger impact than Crowley, seemed like he brought a lot of urgency and pace with him.

Agree Lowe had one of the poorest performances I’ve seen but then we saw a lot of aimless ball get to the wing with plenty of cover defence. We are shipping ball without any ideas. Maybe selection issues but this team look poor on confidence and leadership. I’d be getting a bit concerned about the 6N. France, England and Scotland are playing great rugby at the moment.

I think the coaching team should come under a fair bit of scrutiny after the Autumn we've had. Set piece and attacking play are poor but our selection is really letting us down.

Whatever about starting Prendergast today I think the manner in which it was done (Farrell's comments in the media and wheeling Crowley out midweek to field questions) was poor.

We continue to pick a hooker who's a poor lineout operator. Sheeran is injured but Herring should be ahead of Kelleher. At least McCarthy got game time.

Our second row is a mess. Beirne is our best lock and should be playing there. You'd be forgiven for thinking Ryan wasn't playing today. You can't sing our locks praises when our lineout is shite and we're losing so much ball at the breakdown.

The back three also needs a shakeup. Lowe has had a poor series and Hansen has not been playing well since his return. No reason Nash couldn't have been given gametime.

At this stage I'm starting to think it's no bad thing that Farrell will be gone for a year. A breath of fresh air is badly needed.

and I like murphy and Gunne too and I think at the moment murphy deserves a shot if he keeps his current form up.

ideally Pom Healy and Murray who have had great careers are let retire out.

i missed the first ten minutes of the game. why did James Ryan have to go off?

it’s the left-footed kicker option. Stockdale can do that but keeps getting injured. Younger than Lowe too. I’m not aware of any other left-footed kicker that can play on the wing. Proper rugby bods might know of alternatives.
Nash very unlucky to not get a run out instead of Hansen.