Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

I'd say any Irish starter is in pole position, just like Welsh starters always got the benefit of the doubt when Gatland was in charge. Unless Andy decides to go with and Outhalf even closer to home.

Mack Hansen to get a central contact. Great news. Thought he was very good on the weekend. Hopefully getting back to his form of 2023

I do wonder if that will actually be the case. Farrell will have a while to build up a bit of familiarity and coherence amongst the players - I wonder if he might surprise people with his selections. I don't think he is nearly as focussed/dependent on the crutch of familiarity that Gatland was.

He surely can't pick his own son? I don't watch the T14 but the reports are that Owen's form has not been great.

I'd say only the following Irish are truly in pole position;

Porter - very likely starter

Sheehan - nailed on

Beirne - very likely

Doris - nailed on

JGP - nailed on

Lowe - very likely

After that, guys like Aki, Keenan, Conan, VDF, Ringrose are definitely in with a big chance but have really strong competition.

Think this is pretty much on the money.

Yeah, that's why Farrell has been such a poor coach with awful results and playing style. Because he keeps picking inferior players from Leinster, as opposed to more talented players from unfamiliar other provinces? Did I get that right?

Bull.

He'll take whatever Irish players will help him to win, no matter where they play Club rugby.

And that will include Tadhg Beirne and Bundee Aki and most likely Mack Hansen.

Could be interesting that Prendergast and M Smith will go head-to-head again before the squad is announced.

And potentially the winner could meet Fin Smith in the semi-finals.

I wouldn't say Lowe is defensively strong either though, he is prone to defensive brain farts especially when under pressure.

Id still have him over VDM.

No. He has conceded 2 penalties in 3 games.