Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

But the probelm with this is that it seems to suggest that their performances were broadly similar.

They weren't, imo. Crowley was significantly better. That's a more honest view, imo.

What you're saying here isn't true, FFF:

Surely that puts Crowley into Lions contention? Discuss

In any case, my point wasn't at all about the Lions.

That’s some grade A semantics. Either way, a discussion about Crowley and Lions does not need to involve Prendergast, nor should a poster be accused of being dishonest for not dragging Prendergast into a discussion about Crowley and the Lions.

It’s unnecessary and invidious, but most of all it’s dishonest.

In fairness Aloooof Henshaw makes a poor cover tackle attempt but Crowley getting done means Ringrose has to bite in which leaves the hole they go through to score. If Crowley nails his man we’re not relying on cover defence to stop it following the original breach and they don’t score off that phase. Both players have to be better there rather than saying it was Henshaw’s error that led to the try!

Highlights here. Probably because they're highlights, some good play on show from both Prendergast and Crowley. Incidentally Alex Mitchell must be having recurrent James Lowe shaped nightmares. Just got monstered every time. The soft tries at the end look even softer on second viewing. Some guys will be watching those through their fingers.

Little bit of common sense needed here , instead of pandering to 'local tribalism' over Prendergast and Crowley lets savour the fact that we have two excellent 10s on our national roster.

For the record I thought the team was much more stable after Crowley came on, the place kicking was improved, and the team moved better .

Using yesterday as a comparison is foolhardy……apples and oranges comparisons……Long long way to go here …

yes I asked a Crowley (Lions) question yet most posts were of a Prendergast (Provincial) response . I am a Leinster fan and a Prendergast admirer, but I do feel Crowley was superior and merits a Lions debate for Irish 10 panel representation . Not a starter clearly but a panel place surely at least for contention / discussion !?

Farrell does not rate Crowley so I doubt we will see him for the Lions.

Sheehan, Beirne, VDF, Doris, JGP, Lowe and Keenan will start for the Lions in the tests.

who of Sheehan, Beirne, VDF, Doris, JGP Lowe and Keenan will not start for the Lions?

your assertion was that Farrell does not rate Crowley. To that I entirely disagree

Thanks for clarifying and being respectful.

I don’t think (which is my opinion on what I think Farrell thinks) that Farrell believes that Crowley offers what he wants in a 10 for Ireland and how he wants to play. I think that Farrell thinks that Prendergast offers more in the longer term and can bring Ireland to the next level. He saw Crowley last year in the six nations and does not believe that Crowley is a long term out half option for Ireland. How else do you explain why Crowley was dropped for a kid who has barely played senior rugby? He does not have confidence in him long term and that is why Crowley was dropped. I am sure also that Farrell has a say in who gets offered a central contract. Obviously I am not privy to the inner workings of Farrell’s brains or the conversations he has with his senior coaches or indeed with the player concerned.

He did not rate Crowley to come on. Which actually supports my point.

This is not just giving a player championship minutes - it is a clear preference that one player offers more. As a fan, I will disagree with that selection (I think Crowley is currently the best player) but Farrell and Easterby have demonstrated with selection decisions that they do not rate Crowley as Ireland’s best out half.