Your response to being caught out about him not actually playing 10 in the NPC appears to have been to completely ignore that you ever said it and divert to talking about an irrelevant world cup game.
This is a mistake that an incredible number of people are making so no shame in it, but I just don't understand your doubling down on it.
You're on a troll now
If that aimed at me I'm confused. I stated facts and you've given undocumented statements.
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keep it goin lads,this is great stuff
New lease of life to the thread post SP v JC saga
By the sounds of it, Doris better watch out. There's no position safe from Jordie. Genius move by Cullen, keep everyone on their toes
After this weekend I think POC's position will have to be questioned, the lineouts and defensive lineouts from the provinces were excellent, with ireland we are lucky to claim our ball and never challenge the opposition throw
Time for me (again) to list all the 10s that he's heavier than:
Jack Crowley, Romain N'tamack, George Ford, Thomas Ramos, Finn Russell, Sam Costelow, Manie Libbok, Marcus Smith, Damian McKenzie, Noah Lolesio, Ben Donaldson...
I think questions deserve to be asked, but his position won't be under question til after the 6N - not least with Farrell now gone.
Yeah, Leinster were 92% and Munster 100% at the weekend. I hope for his and our sake that Ireland sort it out for the 6N, he's a dead man walking if they don't.
I think we are missing a small bit of perspective re the lineout.
I am not saying questions shouldn't be asked but comparing the lineouts at the weekend is not really comparable to test level rugby.
Let's see what the stats show from knockout stages on
Weight means nothing. I've knocked over lads three stone heavier than me and couldn't knock over a lad two stone lighter than me. That was back in the day as you might notice from the fact I still use stones and miles etc.
Wouldn't disagree with that except to say that many of the Irish failures were extremely basic errors like timing, confusion, not getting off the ground on our own throw, never competing in the air on theirs, etc. Much less to do with high level opposition than with guys not being on the same page. Australia giving us 20+ throw ins tells me Schmidt sees a problem to exploit with our line out.
he is not very strong , looks weak in the tackle. He will be gobbled up in the 6 nations , the English will head hunt him. Joe Schmidt negated him easily in the Aussie game.
Jesus, I'm not here that long but this is getting right tedious.
Give the lad his chance ffs and stop the knocking. If Crowley is so much better, which he currently is, then he'lI hold his jersey.
Either way we get a good/great second option. Compared to having to bring on or start Ross Byrne, it's a 200% improvement.
What's not to like here?
I say this as a Munster AND Ireland supporter.
The 10 jersey is an interesting one for Farrell.
Clearly Finn Russell and Marcus Smith are definitely going as first (by a distance) and second choices, other things being equal.
For the 3rd spot does AF take his son….. or do a Gatland and take one of his own players - JC or SP - for experience and to learn from FR to Ireland’s future benefit.
Or is it better to send the two of them on the summer tour with all the long term benefits that would bring?
are they definitely though? russell is playing well at the moment granted but he is also just as likely to implode in the 6N so i dont think he is set in stone. marcus smith is likely to go but unless england have a good/great 6N i wouldnt see him as a guarantee either, farrell could easily end up going with a couple of 'his' players in either owen, crowley or prendergast
it has to be Sam 1st, then Marcus.
It is an interesting dilemma for Farrell. He has to take his son…..doesn’t he?
From an Irish point of view I just hope only a few players make the plane. Better served watching it at home on tv.
Esp our 80min men. Porter, vdF, Doris and Beirne all need the summer off.
Tour has lost all meaningful importance.
He can take Owen as a centre.
I'm not sure either Sam or Jack are ready to lead the Lions but if he's taking a rookie then it's Sam he'll take.
It’s a double edged sword with his son
You can’t blame him for taking his son, I think we all would do so
But if he brings him , Farrell is putting both of them in the firing line.
It a tough call.
If Owen Farrell returns to form and fitness, I wouldn't see any huge controversy in taking him. He's a modern great for England and the Lions - this isn't the equivalent of Stuart Lancaster plucking his son from Ealing and giving him games for Racing, Owen Farrell is an elite player, who's still only 33.
There is a decent track record of picking guys who've been playing in the Top14 too, so don't see that as the stumbling block.
I think whoever the head coach was this time around, Owen Farrell was going to be firmly in the reckoning.
I would have no issue with OF going. You hear how highly he is spoke of by the likes of POC and Sexton on previous Lions tours. He is an incredible competitor. I still think it will be Finn starting but I think Owen will travel and be a good addition to the squad for his experience etc.
Crowley or Sam would do very well from being in the same environment as him. But I don't see it happening. Unless Marcus Smith's form falls off a cliff.
The 50/50 calls will be made after the 6 nations, league deciders and European cups, so everything to play for..The other issue is potential injuries so very hard to speculate at this stage
I don’t think there’s that much of a gap between Russell and Smith. To me MS looked much more comfortable at that level during the AIs, if he progresses in the same way during the 6N I think he could easily be first choice.
Barring injury, those four will be among the first names in the squad list. Not sure why they "need" the summer off.
Absolutely every Irish player will be clawing his eyes out to get on that plane and I hope we dominate the selection.
I think both Smiths from England make the squad. As for Russell? I'm not a fan but better minds than mine will decide.
Hell, Doris is probably odds on favourite to captain the tour.
I think either Smith could make it, but I find it difficult to imagine they both will just cause they won't get enough gametime in the 6N.
True.
A lot of the Irish team will be on the plane. I think Furlong, Sheahan and Porter all make it, McCarthy, Beirne, Doris, VDF too. JGP, Aki, Henshaw, Lowe and Keenan all look certain as well.
I'm not a fan of Finn Russell, he's very inconsistent, but he's well liked so he probably makes it, Marcus Smith is definitely going and most likely the starter. I just have this feeling they'll bring Costelow because they need to bring a few Welsh players. He doesn't deserve it but there's always a little politics.
