Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

@AbusesToilets Because they aren't as good as Ireland are, which has categorically been proven the last 2 times they've played.

@Ersatz Not really, they are the second-best team in the tournament so have finished 2nd the last to years as expected.

While good talent there, the vast majority still have ALOT to prove before they can be classified as "Scary"

Keenan is a nailed-on starter, granted that doesnt necessarily mean he'll start at 15. Whatever the fans/media think about him, he's a coaches wet dream and cant see him ever being left out on form. If Kinghorn is seen as the better 15 I'm certain they'll stick Keenan in the 14 shirt or vice versa, Kinghorn has been playing on the wing for Toulouse a lot this season. The Right-wing position isn't the strongest position so could see a situation that both are put in.

Potentially 3 6N in a row (if we beat France) is a pretty long purple patch…the ironic part is it's clearly France who are going backwards…possibly the negative side of being early specializers that French/English players tend to be in rugby, i.e Better than average at a young age…but eventually it catches up with them and they end up being burnt out and past it by the time they reach their late 20s.

No offence, but we've been hearing this for about 5 years now…nothing has happened…this was also said about the 2018/2019 generation and right now with most of those players between 25-27 i've yet to see what any of that is based on.

I suspect its the same guff about the next generation also.

He is nailed on; it's a pointless discussion.

I have a great reason, he's the FB in the NH. Anyone who was in any doubt just watch the Scotland v Ireland game from a few weeks ago.

Like I said in a previous post, if Kinghorn is selected it's almost certain that it's WITH Keenan rather than INSTEAD of Keenan as none of the RWC options are on the same level for me.

I don't know what there is to discuss, he's the best FB under the high ball, best at covering the backfield and overall, just the most reliable player.

All I said is he's a nailed-on STARTER…not he's the nailed on 15! One way or the other he's getting in, its just a case of what jersey he wears and who partners him and Lowe in the back three.

Like I said, the 14 jersey options aren't that great compared to Kinghorn and Keenan so the odds are both of them are starting at this point.