Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

john9876 · 21-02-2025 01:50PM

Can I ask what might be a stupid (or blindingly obvious) question to many of you as I am very much a fair weather rugby fan 😀.

Is a rugby team an amalgam of very disparate but highly specialized skills, such that if you haven't reached a very high level of proficiency in those skills by the time you finish school, your chances of making it as a professional, let alone top level international, are very slim?

Former Former Former · 21-02-2025 01:52PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123194376#Comment_123194376

The point is still the same though - how do you justify sending resources to the Catholic grammar schools and not to the others? How do you select the schools that get the special privileges and deny them to the much larger number that do not?

I doubt any school would turn down free equipment, coaching, access to facilities or whatever.

Just not sure how it's workable tbh.

Bogwoppit · 21-02-2025 01:52PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123194051#Comment_123194051

Ah no, I just told them to look forward to the near future when they’d have little to no representation in the Irish team and then I went on celebrating.

sydthebeat · 21-02-2025 01:56PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123194232#Comment_123194232

One big vulnerability we could have is arrogance. I dont believe the team itself will be as cocksure as the media and many of the fan base is (including on here). A bonus point win is the goal. A win is the minimum required and a loss will be a disaster.

The welsh team talk has been written for them by the many lines arrogance in the press, plus the contempt those diks on OTB showed in their lust for media relevance. The welsh will tackle all day, every day and that media guff will only make them hit harder.

Doris will be missed. His work around the park outside of his carrying is hugely ignored by most. His is one of the cleverest players on the park, he hits very hard and his engine is non stop. Conan is a worthy replacement, hes a fantastic player and one who would start for at least 3 other 6N teams, but hes not doris. Conan will hog the tramlines a bit more that Dpris would, and at 32 may just be past his peak.

In my opinion if we get a TBP win with a points difference in the range of 15+ i will be very happy.

Paul Smeenus · 21-02-2025 01:56PM

Growing the game. Make it a campaign, explicitly about introducing the sport to schools where they is a level of curiosity. I think it could be done. Sport for all, etc etc

Lost Ormond · 21-02-2025 02:13PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123193988#Comment_123193988

Target the schools but get the kids into the clubs and flood clubs, and new clubs if you need to set them up, with the funding and support to develop more players for the sport and top level of the game

Ben Bailey · 21-02-2025 02:15PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123194461#Comment_123194461

Completely agree. The objective this 6N is the same as it always should be -

The most important game is the next game. The objective is to win that game, preferably with a TBP.

And after that game, won, lost, or drawn,

the next game etc etc

Former Former Former · 21-02-2025 02:22PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123194467#Comment_123194467

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123194525#Comment_123194525

Now we're talking.

Get games promotions officers into EVERY school who wants it, and every session ends with "if you enjoyed that, come along to <local rugby club> on Saturday morning and give it a proper go". (Yes, I know that large swathes of certain counties won't have a local club)

It's a throwing-mud-at-the-wall approach, maybe 20% of kids go along to the club, maybe 20% of them stick with it, maybe 1 in every 100 turns out to be a prospect, but this is the only path forward IMO.

Trying to create a "rugby school" in 2025 isn't feasible.

Quin_Dub · 21-02-2025 02:23PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123194232#Comment_123194232

Roof closed (I think I read somewhere that the WRU have confirmed that the roof will be closed for all games going forward).

Don't think we'll miss Doris all that much , but we might miss the extra impact that Conan was having in the 2nd half as sub.

I think Wales will be fired up and have a bit more structure to them than we have seen up to now , but they are still a significantly lesser team than Ireland.

I have a feeling that Wales will be a bit like a not as good version of England from a few weeks back. They are going to really attack the breakdown and Reffell/Morgan will probably get a few high profile turn-overs to get the crowd excited but ultimately Ireland will have far too much power for them.

Ireland to pull away in the 2nd half and hopefully not allow soft scores in the closing minutes as they have done the last 2 games.

~20 point margin for Ireland with the BP

Something like 32-12 to Ireland.

sydthebeat · 21-02-2025 02:32PM

Coombes is with the seniors in Wales, before we get the conspiracy theory posts....

Quin_Dub · 21-02-2025 02:39PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123194593#Comment_123194593

Don't they always travel with at least 4 or 5 extra players in case of a last minute injury/illness before kickoff?

Although given the proximity between Cardiff and Bristol they could probably share some players for coverage.

sydthebeat · 21-02-2025 02:48PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123194623#Comment_123194623

Yes they do, usually referred to as 24th man, but there's usually 4 or 5 extra players with the squad, and usually visible during the pre game warm ups

eagle eye · 21-02-2025 03:01PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123194461#Comment_123194461

The thing is we have Osbourne, Ringrose, Henshaw, POM, Clarkson and McCarthy all starting and looking to ensure being starters or part of the 23 for the next game and beyond.

Then on the bench you have Gus McCarthy, Boyle and Cian Prendergast with the same goal.

So it'll be non-stop from Ireland the whole way through. That's why I'm expecting a very sizeable win.

salmocab · 21-02-2025 03:41PM

just on the school funding thing, it was discussed I think on the Leinster thread last week that st Fintans initial boost which has been built on was having a core of players coming from Suttonians. Targeted funding beyond traditional schools could start with helping fund a crossover between local clubs and schools. That would be a place to start and if funding is funnelled via the club it would be easier for people to swallow.

Paul Smeenus · 21-02-2025 03:55PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123194935#Comment_123194935

There have been a number of instances of co-operation and support between clubs and schools (including Catholic grammar schools) up here but I'd like to see a really targeted, IRFU-driven effort. We are not going back to the days of well-to-do grammar schools with boarders etc up here; we need to find new avenues.

I also recall being told about crossover between GAA clubs and rugby clubs - that would be fantastic if it was more widespread. There were quite a few kids in my son's minis team who alternated between both sports.

CMOTDibbler · 21-02-2025 04:31PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123194434#Comment_123194434

That is correct, although you'll always have the odd late bloomer. Most schools players who start in a particular position for their school continue in that position afterwards, whether in club or professional. There are obvious exceptions, Brian O'Driscoll played scrum half in school for example and wasn't considered big enough to have a career outside school. Lol.

Props tend to stay being props, same with locks although there is some interchange with back rows and backs tend to stay as backs although again, some back rows can end up as backs. Jack Conan was a number 8 in school and has only recently switched between that and 6 or even 7. But always in the back row.

almostover · 21-02-2025 04:55PM

Sorry if I derailed the thread a little. Back to talk of tomorrow's match now. I think it won't be the whitewash that some are predicting. I expect an Ireland win and a reasonably comfortable one at that, but I feel that the Welsh will frustrate us for long periods without threatening to score much themselves. Reffell in particular will score a few turnovers.

If we gain the lead early I see us winning by 20-25 points. If Wales have the early lead it'll give them something to play for, get the crowd behind them and it'll be a frustrating afternoon. In that scenario it'll be a 10pt win max.

Hopefully the players will have their heads screwed on and hit the ground running from the kick off. As Brent Pope used to say 'never give a sucker an even break'.

eagle eye · 21-02-2025 05:00PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123195110#Comment_123195110

I've seen lots of changes over the years but they are uncommon. We had a prop at 16 who suddenly grew to 6'7" and became a lock. We had two centres who ended up back row. I've seen lots but that's over 30 years.

Ben Bailey · 21-02-2025 05:09PM

FB_IMG_1740153862943.jpg

Dan Sheehan

On the shoulders of giants

Clegg · 21-02-2025 05:34PM

Reffell and Morgan are both excellent poachers so your expect Wales to use similar tactics to England and steal as much ball as possible. It was a successful tactic for at least the opening 30 minutes of that game.

They don't have as much power up front as England though. Their relative dominance in that half was based on a pressure game where they disrupted or stoke our ball, won collisions and kicked intelligently behind our defence. I can't see Wales having that same success rate at the gain line.

They'll be fired up for this game especially. They didn't give up on Gatland, but it was clear they weren't getting anywhere with his gameplay and morale was on the floor. They'll be horsing into every contact this weekend and the first quarter will be a shitshow I imagine. Ireland should win. We have a better squad, a successful game plan and we aren't prone to having long patches on bad play in game. But if Wales get an early lead and keep that into the second half all bets are off.

Quin_Dub · 21-02-2025 05:43PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123195323#Comment_123195323

To be fair to Wales , as awful as they have been they can't be faulted for effort.

They've stuck at it to the end in all the games , but they've simply lacked the game plan and the quality to turn that effort into points and victories.

They'll bring that same level of effort to things tomorrow with possibly a bit more shape and structure that Anscombe should bring , but as you say they aren't as good as England and lack the power that England can bring to bear if given the chance.

Their defensive shape will be interesting , up to now they've been going to two man tackles to lock the ball up , but against Ireland with the tactic of tip ons and short passes that could come badly unstuck.

Changing styles in 2 weeks would be very difficult , but if they stick with the patterns they've been using , Ireland could cut them assunder.

sprucemoose · 21-02-2025 06:04PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123194051#Comment_123194051

id say that didnt happen to be honest or at worse there was a bit of ribbing. actual abuse is almost impossibly unlikely though

johnh6767 · 21-02-2025 06:09PM

A squad looks strong should be a great game. High Cooney & Culhane not featuring which is surprising but there’s a lot of competition with quality talent all round . Only 3 starting from Leinster , but 9 in the 23 man playing squad

Bogwoppit · 21-02-2025 06:48PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123195395#Comment_123195395

I’m long enough in the tooth to know the difference between a bit of ribbing and abuse. The sh1t that was hurled that day was nasty.

phog · 21-02-2025 08:40PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123195395#Comment_123195395

I'd believe it, the **** I've have thrown at me at the RDS and the Aviva (twice at Ireland games) would make me believe it happens.

After one SF in the RDS I approached twice by the same group where amongst other crap they threw at me and my family they wished that Len Dineen would die in his sleep that night. Len, for those that might not know was a bit of a local legend in Limerick, he worked as a sports commentator on the local radio station in Limerick. It was announced earlier that day that he was retiring from his sports work. Now, a more biased commentator you might not find but was there need for fans to say what they did about him.

After an Irish game I had the wife of a fan apologise for the behavior of her husband to the Munster fans around me.

I could go on but I know I'm talky about a bunch of wasters who do nothing for their province or country but it would be one of the reasons why I stopped going to Leinster games in Dublin.