Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

And yet McCloskey, Stockdale and Timoney were called up into the main squad. So while it's irrelevant, as Izzy is injured, I don't think the awful team performance against Benetton means anything. And they're not all tried and tested Farrell favourites - Timoney is hardly a squad mainstay, and earned a yellow card in Italy.

I don't think there's an easy solution, but saying because results now are good then everything is ok is a bit short sighted.

Don’t think anyone said that. The point was that we have gone from occasional giant-killing team and thinking a Triple Crown is an achievement to expecting to win pretty much every game, regardless of opposition, and we’ve maintained that for a few years now.

Picking anyone for the Ireland team on any basis other than being the best man for the job is a terrible idea. Picking a guy just to placate “fans” is about as crazy as it gets.

Back in the amateur days and right into the Gatland era, the coach was the coach but the team was picked by a “selection committee” who ensured a good spread among the three provinces. Coincidentally or not, we were absolutely fncking rubbish for the entire duration.

It would be great if the provinces could develop more players but national selection is the end result, the problem is much further up the chain.

Trying some sort of affirmative action to give each province a leg up is basically saying, these golden eggs are great and all but let's see what's inside the goose.

Great to see Cian Prendergast in the 23, Baird has been OK and no more so good to freshen it up.

Picking Clarkson is a great call too, Bealham has been fantastic but you can never have too many tight-heads.

Hopefully Boyle gets 20 minutes at least and can show us what he can do.

good team happy also. Although I wish it was announced from IRFU v Irish Times . Which is strange to say as it comes out earlier from Irish Times so logically I should be happy with that ! Happy for Cian P & Jack B in also, and of course Gus & Sam who are excelling at a very young age. Hard not to feel bad for Jack but I’m sure his day will come to show his wears.

Zero complaints with that to be honest.

I don't know if the 'fans in the other 3 provinces are getting disillusioned' thing is true, even though it gets thrown around as fact a lot. Being from Connacht and unfortunately living in Munster (That's a joke, provincial rivalries used to be a bit of craic) I certainly don't feel any different and the vast majority of Munster fans i know would be the same. Not to say there isn't bitteness towards leinster over Snyman etc (Again normal provincial rivalry) but it doesn't spill over into the national team support.

We need to remember as well that the existing provincial system and the old rivalry bewteen the 4 provinces is one of the things that allowed Ireland to transition so seemlessly to professional rugby. When you see the Welsh regions constantly struggling for support you realise how lucky we were to have these entities already in place. So a certain amount of interprovincial sniping is natural and part of what has made Irish Rugby great in the last 20 years and shouldn't be read as 'people becoming disillusioned with the national team'. I'm also of the opinion that anyone who stops supporting the National team because there isn't enough of their province's players in the squad needs a good shake and should come support Connacht for a few years. We're in a bit of a golden age in terms of International selection since Bundee came along but for the previous 15 years it was big news when a Muldoon or a Johnny O connor snuck on to the bench for a Six Nations game

Fair dues to Easterby for making 7 changes, albeit 2 were enforced. Clarkson, C Prendergast, G McCarthy and Boyle getting a chance. Ryan on the bench gives him a mini break so to speak, Wales will likely be well softened up when he comes on. If I was to change one thing maybe give Crowley the start but if he does come on I hope its at 10 and not FB. Speaking of FB great call to give Osborne another run there. He really looked good v SA.

Conan I thought should've got the armband. Maybe Beirne but this call is a nod to the future and giving lads that experience.

All in all fair play Easterby. Can't wait for Sat now!

I assume Sheehan is expected to go 80 to give him game time. I wonder if that's why he got the armband over Beirne or PoM who I thought would be more obvious captains.

If I wanted to make mischief, I'd say it's a wonder they didn't give it to SP.... ;-) But that would be just stirring so I won't..

Hanson needs a big game

And if he doesn't, I'd like to see Nash back in for France

Nash did absolutely nothing against Scotland bar walk in a try he couldn’t miss and chase down a few kicks.

Hansen was far more involved and offered so much more around the pitch against England.

Statistically speaking in this Six Nations:

Hansen has 5 tackles (71%) to Nash’s 4 (67%)
Hansen has 8 carries for a total of 28m to Nash’s 4 carries for 5m

Hansen has 4 defenders beaten to Nash’s 0

Hansen has 10 touches to Nash’s 5

The only areas Nash come out on top is one less penalty conceded and a 50% Ruck effectiveness to Hansens 14%.

Hansen isn’t at his best but he’s slowly getting back there after nearly a year out.

I'm not up in arms about it or anything and I hope he goes well this weekend.

I mean I'm not sure stats from 1 game each is really relevant?

Nash has been in better form for quite a while now.

I also did say Hansen needs a big game, not that he shouldn't be starting or be dropped regardless for France, I think that's fair.