Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

johnh6767 · 19-02-2025 01:14PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123187166#Comment_123187166

In the field of play yes. Lineout no.

50HX · 19-02-2025 01:23PM

When all in top form the 3 best are Sheehan, Marx & Mauvaka

crusd · 19-02-2025 01:53PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123186361#Comment_123186361

This. The Lions leave me completely cold. I get its important to the players. But this is really down to the legacy of the 50's to early 2000's teams and not in anyway related to its actual importance in the modern game.

And more than that, I think its detrimental to development of the Irsih team for Worlds cups at this stage. The summer two years out from the WC should be where we have a challenging tour to start integrating new players for the WC. Instead we are touring tier 2 nations and not answering any questions.

Packrat · 19-02-2025 02:14PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123186885#Comment_123186885

We're very fortunate in that position at the moment. I was about to post the same repy as @johnh6767 that he's close to second or third best in the world in that position at the moment.

Gus is looking like a huge prospect/developer as well.

eagle eye · 19-02-2025 02:31PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123187319#Comment_123187319

Back then the players didn't play nearly as much as they do today.

I haven't looked at player caps, I know Healy has the most and O'Driscoll is second because I heard it during a match but I'd guess the top ten and possibly all of the top twenty are players who've played in the professional era.

I think it has to take a far bigger toll on the body than it did in the amateur era.

I think a Lions tour should mean no autumn internationals.

crusd · 19-02-2025 02:41PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123187446#Comment_123187446

O'Driscoll also has 8 lions caps so overall has more caps, just not for Ireland

My own personal opinion is that the Lions is an anachronism from an amateur game that no longer exists. That is not to say that the old Lions ethos doesn't bring back nostalgia. But overall its now a money making vessel and with games on Sky sports does not even do anything to being new people to the game.

I think you will see in the next couple of cycles that some players will start to skip the tour in a effort to prolong their overall career

phog · 19-02-2025 02:50PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123187491#Comment_123187491

Obviously injuries can end careers but looking at your own table, the Lions Tourists on the list didn't do too bad career wise. Is there really a case that playing on a Lions Tour will reduce your playing career?

Former Former Former · 19-02-2025 03:09PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123187446#Comment_123187446

I think it has to take a far bigger toll on the body than it did in the amateur era.

Rugby in general takes a bigger toll on the body than in the amateur era.

On the other hand, this year's Lions tour has 9 matches, the last amateur tour (1993) had 13, go back to 1977 and they played 26 matches across three months.

eagle eye · 19-02-2025 03:48PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123187618#Comment_123187618

Over the rest of the year they didn't play that much. It was only inter provincials in Ireland and the five nations. I think it was eight club games in the old English system.

There was no URL or Champions cup or anything like it.

And back then the Lions tour was like a holiday. You'd hear loads of stories about players having nights out drinking and dining. They wouldn't be training much at all.

19-02-2025 06:24PM

Probably for the match thread when it goes up, but can anyone recommend a good pub in Amsterdam to watch the match on Saturday?

phog · 19-02-2025 06:43PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123188305#Comment_123188305

At a guess, all of the Irish pubs there will be showing the rugby

niallm77 · 19-02-2025 06:59PM

IT REPORTING Sheehan is captain this weekend

niallm77 · 19-02-2025 07:03PM

THORNLEY

Osborne, Hansen, Ringrose, henshaw. Lowe, Sam, JGP, Conan, VDF, POM, beirne. JOE Mc, Clarkson, Sheehan, Porter

Bench - Boyle, Gus Mc, Bealham, Ryan, Baird, Murray, Crowley, Aki

Edit - had Clarkson and Bealham the wrong way around

50HX · 19-02-2025 07:08PM

Keenan injured?

niallm77 · 19-02-2025 07:09PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123188461#Comment_123188461

not mentioned by thornley in his article that i can see. Only glanced through it though.

19-02-2025 07:10PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123188434#Comment_123188434

If that's the selection then we're aiming to put our foot on the throat and rack up big point difference against Wales.

That and it means that the coaches are likely backing Prendergast as the form out half and will have him running the week in training for the whole 6N. Quite the challenge for Crowley to take on.

Edit - After all the recent "tribalism" I just want to be clear that I'm happy to see either player start and want a team where we can look after our tens and tactically change in every game. Not trying to start any arguments here.

Hey_Ho_Lets_Go_3 · 19-02-2025 07:20PM

Prendergast deserves it.

AbusesToilets · 19-02-2025 07:32PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123188434#Comment_123188434

pretty decent team. Would've preferred to see Osborne get a start in the centre, and literally anyone over POM. Happy to see youth been given a chance in the front row.

Ben Bailey · 19-02-2025 07:44PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123188495#Comment_123188495

As Will Munny quite correctly pointed out "Deserve's got nothin' to do with it"

I'd thought SE would exercise man management & start JC at 10 (& maybe moving JC to 15 for Osborne if a rejigged backline was called for, bringing SP on from the bench). It would seem that it's going to be a long way back for JC at this point.

.

Ben Bailey · 19-02-2025 07:48PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123188305#Comment_123188305

Mate of mine plays with AAC rugby in the 'dam. They always go to O'Donnells odonnellsamsterdam.nl

niallm77 · 19-02-2025 07:49PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123188569#Comment_123188569

I think it became clear in r1 when Sam was selected that he is viewed as the #1 at 10. I dont see them chopping and changing at 10 when there is a 6n and a slam to play for.

P.Walnuts · 19-02-2025 07:50PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123188569#Comment_123188569

It's really not a long way off to JC.

It's SP having a couple of poor games in a row/getting injured away.

The joys of having depth

Podge_irl · 19-02-2025 08:05PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123188569#Comment_123188569

I think JC is a bit unfortunate in how the games have fallen. Ultimately they are going to want to get minutes into SP and they definitely won't want him going a month without starting a match.

Jump_In_Jack · 19-02-2025 08:16PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123188434#Comment_123188434

I must say, I really like the way the selectors have gone about this 23.
This is a perfect example of keeping the spine of the team and absorbing a few changes without too much change to effect the performance hopefully.
Some rotation among quality players to keep a bit of freshness to the core of the team (Henshaw starts - Aki benches, Osborne starts - Keenan is rested), a couple of players out injured (Furlong and Doris) and a couple of players back in from injury (J McCarthy and Hansen), and giving some youth a chance in the starting 15 (Osborne for Keenan, Clarkson for Bealham) and some exciting new talent to get a cap off the bench (Boyle and G McCarthy). Still loads of experience in the starting 15 (Ringrose, Henshaw Lowe, JGP, POM, VdF, Beirne and more) and loads of experience on the bench (Bealham, Ryan, Murray and Aki) while maintaining a bench that will add some threat in attack when introduced (Ryan, ~~Baird~~ Prendergast and Aki should all bring a lot of energy with 25 mins to go).

While I think Wales are very vulnerable to getting smashed I'm still looking forward to this now. There are plenty of talking points with this selection, obviously the ongoing battle for the 10 jersey, Hansen under pressure for 14 jersey, Osborne to put his hand up, Conan has a great chance to get back in the starting pack for the French match, McCarthy will be put through a fitness test, VdF will be busy marking their best player, Jac Morgan, possibly with a view to the starting 7 jersey for the B&I Lions, Clarkson to hold the scrums together. It's going to be hugely entertaining regardless of the score, a tight battle wouldn't be so bad if Wales overperform and Ireland struggle with the changes to find their groove, but I suspect this could be Ireland close to 50 points, match over with 30 to go. I'd love to see Ireland open up and score ten tries, we really should be capable of it if we can get things to click. A good start, and I could see a try within 5 minutes and no let up allowed to the final whistle.

I haven't seen the weather forecast, so it'll be interesting if it's wet and windy and Wales try to kick a lot of contestables, and look to defend to keep the scoreline down. That'll test our aerial ability as well as push us into attacking a lot as I expect Ireland to have a lot of the possession.

Edit: I see Cian Prendergast was named ahead of Baird, that's a good call in my opinion. CP has been due an opportunity, really hope he gets on early and puts in a big performance.

niallm77 · 19-02-2025 08:18PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123188698#Comment_123188698

Is the roof open or closed?

Edit- forecast is for dry day

Jump_In_Jack · 19-02-2025 08:19PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123188703#Comment_123188703

Hadn't considered that, if closed it would suit us even more you'd imagine, so I'd think Wales will opt to keep it open.

50HX · 19-02-2025 08:42PM

Roof will be closed

niallm77 · 19-02-2025 09:05PM

9am tomorrow for the team announcement.

almostover · 19-02-2025 09:07PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123188698#Comment_123188698

Interesting selection if it materialises. I'd rather see Beirne bench than Ryan, he has a lot of minutes on the clock this season. Could do with just playing the final 20.

The Obsorne selection at 15, if true, would be very interesting. Keenan hasn't put a foot wrong and would offer stability but if this Osborne selection materialises it shows that the management are keen to develop him. I'm not a Leinster fan and don't watch many of their games. Is this Osborne's best position? Or just a way to get him experience in a big away game? He's clearly going to force his way into the 23 soon but what is his position? Or is he likely to be the 23rd man as a utility back? Jack Crowley offers that 10/12/15 option so we can afford to be more specialised in our 23 jersey. Hence Aki probably being no.23 this weekend.

Also didn't expect Boyle to be picked but this is a good opportunity to give someone other than Cian Healy a go and start that succession planning. I don't disagree with that selection. There's no clear alternative to Healy so time to throw a guy in at the deep end and see if he has it. Worked for Clarkson.

Presume this means POM is captain? That's another reason I'd rather see Ryan start ahead of Beirne, is he not 2nd choice for captain? Or is Ringrose 2nd choice? Not that it makes much difference this weekend but it's good for the 2nd choice to get experience of the captaincy, Doris isn't immune to injury.

Also, does anyone have odds on POM being selected for the Lions tour? I'm tempted to place a bet on it. None of the 6s bar Tom Curry (who's a 7) have been going well so far in the tournament. He could get picked for leadership and as an experienced squad player. It's not beyond the realms of possibility.

Another contentious opinion coming up by me now. Jac Morgan is ahead of JvDF for the 7 shirt in my eyes so far. That may change after this game. Morgan has been outstanding in a diabolical Welsh side. JvDF has been efficient as always and playing well without being stand out. Think Saturday could be a shootout for the Lions 7 shirt. Especially seeing as none of the 6s have excelled and Tom Curry looks nailed on for that.

If this is the 23 picked then I'm happy, nice mix of stability and getting experience for the next generation. We need to target a 4+ try win with a minimum of a 20 point margin. But Wales will be fired up and may make it far closer than that.

niallm77 · 19-02-2025 09:10PM

Thornley says sheehan is captain.

Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

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