Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

ersatz · 07-02-2025 02:21AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123142873#Comment_123142873

It's been really interesting to see how McGrath's game has improved given how often he's written off by Leinster fans. Coaches sticking with him has paid off this season.

AbusesToilets · 07-02-2025 03:37AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123142978#Comment_123142978

100% agree. I genuinely think he should be starting on form. He's been better than any other 12 not named Barret this season. He's certainly a better option for 23 than Henshaw imo.

johnh6767 · 07-02-2025 06:38AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123143213#Comment_123143213

100% , and they do tend to get these key decisions right more often than not. McGrath has been very strong this season despite the hiccup last year

johnh6767 · 07-02-2025 06:46AM

Looks like Conan will start in place of Baird who comes onto the bench and Peter O’Mahony who may also get the bench . Prendergast & Kelleher to hold starting spots as Easterby views both matches as ‘mini block’

niallm77 · 07-02-2025 07:05AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123143317#Comment_123143317

Thornley predicting exactly same 23

Hansen, Ringrose, Aki, Lowe; Prendergast, Gibson-Park; Porter, Kelleher, Bealham, Ryan, Beirne, Baird, van der Flier, Doris (capt).

Replacements: Sheehan, Healy, Clarkson, Henderson, Conan, Murray, Crowley, Henshaw.

Podge_irl · 07-02-2025 08:43AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123143213#Comment_123143213

Yup, will hold my hands up on that one. He's been much better this season, though he was still genuinely quite bad last year.

I'm thinking more the likes of swapping Paddy Patterson down to Munster to take back Nick McCarthy of all players. Or Murphy suddenly appearing pretty decent at Connacht after being a nobody at Leinster.

Maybe the players just aren't there for it, but it certainly seems a glaring hole in Leinster's production.

El_Duderino 09 · 07-02-2025 08:51AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123143314#Comment_123143314

McGrath has been very good in his last few games. That comes after 18 months of posters hoping gr wouldn't be included in squads because his passing was slow, inaccurate and his general play was not great.

Now he's had a few really good performances mainly by putting I'm some impressive tackles. I think his passing accuracy as improved to ok and speed is poor.

This is more likely to be a blip in form than a sustainable revival. I don't think leinster had great options this time last year. When McGraths form returns to normal they should move to prioritising Gunne next year.

Former Former Former · 07-02-2025 09:13AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123143393#Comment_123143393

SH is a glaring hole in Ireland’s production, to be honest. We have two very good SHs the wrong side of 30, Casey and that’s it.

Murphy has looked good but in a very small sample. Patterson is no better than McCarthy was and I don’t have great hopes for Foley.

Coughlan and Gunne are good prospects so fingers crossed they work out, and I think picking Blade over Doak for the 6N was a mistake.

TLDR; McGrath is still being picked because he’s still the second best at Leinster, and that’s a problem for everyone, given his age. I also think his poor form was grossly overstated but that’s for another forum maybe.

theVersatile · 07-02-2025 10:01AM

POM starts at 6.

That'll go down well with some

sydthebeat · 07-02-2025 10:04AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123143543#Comment_123143543

If you could pick one player to get under the scots skin.......

😂😂😂

Jump_In_Jack · 07-02-2025 10:04AM

Team named for Scotland.

https://www.irishrugby.ie/2025/02/07/easterby-names-ireland-team-to-face-scotland-in-edinburgh/

Porter Kelleher Bealham
Ryan Beirne
O'Mahony Doris Van der Flier
Gibson-Park Prendergast
Lowe Aki Henshaw Hansen
Keenan

Bench: Sheehan Healy Clarkson Baird Conan Murray Crowley Ringrose

Henshaw trades places with Ringrose, and O'Mahony trades places with Baird, while Henderson drops out of the 23.

Podge_irl · 07-02-2025 10:05AM

I have no idea what Henshaw has done to be elevated to a starting spot I gotta say.

bingobango12 · 07-02-2025 10:06AM

It is time to move on from POM but with McCarthy out I think that call actually makes sense.

Henderson offers nothing anymore imo and POM isn't a bench player. Sheehan, Baird, Conan, Crowley, Ringrose all coming on together South Africa style could completely change the game if not going to plan.

SaoPaulo41 · 07-02-2025 10:10AM

Why POM , should be Conan.

Robbie instead of Ringrose I'm not sure I get that.

Would have started Sheehan.

niallm77 · 07-02-2025 10:11AM

POM

Its just ridiculous.

FrannoFan · 07-02-2025 10:11AM

no one going to accuse Ireland of building towards the future anyway

Former Former Former · 07-02-2025 10:15AM

Henshaw/Ringrose/Aki is always a toss up and Henshaw has been in flying form this season. Apart from the missed tackle for the last try, I thought he made a good impact against England. No problem with that call.

The POM one is more of a head scratcher, especially since the lineout went so well without him last week, but maybe Farrell felt we needed a bit more dog in the contact area and we need to slow down the Scots up front.

Brief_Lives · 07-02-2025 10:15AM

surprised Baird was kept, Izzy might have got on the bench

salmocab · 07-02-2025 10:15AM

happy out with that team, bench is quite strong which I think after last weeks showing is the plan. Baird will offer more late on and can see why they want to spring Conan and Sheehan late.

CMOTDibbler · 07-02-2025 10:16AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123143589#Comment_123143589

Farrell? 🤣

sydthebeat · 07-02-2025 10:18AM

Not upset at all with that selection. Makes complete sense. POM isn't valuable on the bench, and the Scots aren't exactly strong in the row, so Baird covering second row is a much better option that Henderson. That allows POM to start and give a full on 50 minutes of pure skulduggery and disruption. Solidifies the line out as well, which you feel the Scots would be looking to go at us in. They won't make the mistake the English did.

A bomb squad of Sheehan clarkson Conan Baird ringrose with Crowley and Murray steering is a great option.

Expect much of the same again, with prendergast getting some rough treatment in the first 55 mins, but having the nous to pick locks with his passing. Crowley to come on and apply a pressure game when the lines open up a bit on the second half.

fitz · 07-02-2025 10:18AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123143556#Comment_123143556

It looks to me like we're setting up to introduce a lot of pace and power off the bench. I think bringing Ringrose on at 60 rather than Henshaw might carry use more issues for a tiring Scotland. Similarly, Conan, Sheehan and Baird coming on around the same time is going to keep the tempo and physicality high. I'm fine with the selection.

I also think Crowley's style of attacking the line as a breaking threat could play into him benching too...that strength being more potent against a tiring team.

No issue with POM starting. Scotland will be more aggressive challenging the lineout than England were, POM's experience there will be useful. While I thought Baird was quietly effective last week, he wasn't outstanding, he may be more effective coming off the bench.

Looking forward to this one. A bit of a pain that is the Sunday game... Hate the waiting!

Podge_irl · 07-02-2025 10:19AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123143589#Comment_123143589

Huh, I think he has been quite poor this season. Was hoping he would drop out of the 23 for Osborne. Well opinions and all that…

Podge_irl · 07-02-2025 10:20AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123143603#Comment_123143603

Yeah, the Scottish bench isn't strong. I can see the logic of just looking to overpower them in the last 30.

ionadnapóca · 07-02-2025 10:30AM

Have to say I love that call at 6. Nobody will be taking the foot off the pedal now.

Ireland need POM to come in and continue where Baird left off in the LO but add the dog of war at ruck and in defence.

He will not go gentle into that good night,

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

roverjoyce · 07-02-2025 10:31AM

Jesus wept,

POM….

Ireland really trying to win their world cup in the wrong year again

phog · 07-02-2025 10:41AM

Surprised but delighted for POM. I'd have stuck Ringrose to start with Henshaw on the bench but as the saying goes, the coaches must see what's happening in training.

darkened_scrum · 07-02-2025 10:49AM

Keeping POM and Healy in the 23 feels like negligence at this stage. Good team otherwise.

Le Bruise · 07-02-2025 10:57AM

POM selected to get into the faces of the Scots, creating sh*thousery at every turn, not allowing them to get into their stride. He'll protect Sam and rattle Finn whenever he can. Then the power off the bench to blow them away in the last 30 minutes. I'm fan of this selection.

Edit: One caveat, would have gone with Boyle over Healy.

phog · 07-02-2025 11:02AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123143724#Comment_123143724

Neither should probably be around the squad now but at least Peter could go 80 if needed, I can't see Cian doing it.

Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

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