Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

Personally wouldn’t be against a 6-2 split this weekend, particularly if McCarthy is back.

Forwards replacements of Kelleher Healy ( Would prefer Boyle) Clarkson McCarthy Baird / Izzy and Conan could do some real damage.

I'd say you've focused on the most irrelevant words from the point I was making there chief!

I posted some questions/concerns before the game, I can't search this stupid new site so working off memory from what I think I posted:

Lineout - superb performance from coaches and players. Yes, it was simpler but that's what was needed. More teams should do that when the lineout is malfunctioning.

Wings - I said Lowe and Hansen owed us a big performance. Hansen, we didn't get that and he seems off the boil. Right wingers have to work harder for the ball outside of Ringrose I find than the 11. I'd love to see Nash get a run but I don't think they'll make that change. Lowe - absolutely superb performance. He's not subtle and he basically bludgeoned his way through the English but that's what was needed as we were hardly Bordeaux out there in terms of back-play. Bar the two poor kicks I thought he was imperious and comfortably man of the match, fair play.

Baird - like others on here have said, I don't think he took his chance. Fabulous athlete but I don't know has he the capability to nail down the jersey at this level. He looked like a fella who needed more game-time (which he's barely had this season). Similar to Hansen, I reckon they'll go again with him but I'd love to see Izzy, Conan, POM or even Ahern (won't happen) get a chance.

Outhalf - plenty has been said on here. I don't think Sam played well, that's not to say he didn't have nice moments throughout the game. Maybe he'll go on to have a stormer over the tournament but I'm not seeing what others are seeing yet. He looks like a guy to me who should be spending a season learning his trade towards this level with Leinster, not on the job at this level yet. Had some lovely passing, had some wayward ones and a bit of aimless shovelling on. Kicking was poor. It's pretty obvious they're hiding him in defence when you compare his tackles made/missed versus everyone else in the backline on both teams, it's very stark. Himself and Baird left a big hole at one stage and Kearney alluded at half-time that maybe he could have swept across better for their try (I didn't see a behind the goal angle on that as I was just coming back into the room… to be honest it struck me as a bit harsh by Kearney). I'd wager he'll play well with a better platform like he gets for Leinster, he did his best work when they were down to 14, which says a bit in its own right. Wouldn't be my call but I think the coaches will stick with him similar to Hansen, Baird and probably Healy.

I don't see the point in Healy still involved, surely having literally ANY young prop there, even if it means getting their arse handed to them a bit is better in the long run? I don't care who it is. Fantastic servant but his time has been up for a while. now.

I posted at half-time that the coaches have some figuring out to do as England were well worth their lead, fair play, the subs turned things around. Sheehan is just an animal, Kelleher was playing well but then he comes on and grabs the game by the scruff of the neck. That's the difference between the two. JGP was superb also.

Always a good day when you beat the English, we have plenty to work on.

I can't see Joe playing .

Summer tour