Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

It's this sort of mindset and attitude that is a plague on Irish rugby and a big reason why we find ourselves in positions like yesterday and continuously bowing out early at RWC's.

POM is the best 6. However, this isn't because he's been very good, it's because he's the least likely to make mistakes none of his alternatives are given much of a chance to take the jersey off him. We give players like Baird & Izuchukwu 1 or 2 caps at a time and then as soon as a big game comes around or these players make 1 or 2 mistakes they are immediately ousted for the "safe pair of hands". Unfortunately, this selection policy is just ingrained in Irish rugby and until we grow a pair of balls and actually move on players like this at the right time we are going to continue to have disappointing days like yesterday. You give France, NZL, SA our player pool and POM isn't even in the squad, yet in Ireland he's starting and getting a big sendoff…and that right there is the big issue. Playing against nations like NZL, SA, FRA you need players that fit your system, players that make the opposition think twice while in defense. Players like POM are their dream, you know exactly what he'll throw at them and will never be more than a 7-8 out of 10 meaning they just need to do their job and they neutralize POM. Players like Baird, Izuchukwu, Ahern on the other hand will ask questions of them, it will make them think twice while in defense, which not only gives us another option, but it makes things easier for the other forwards. Having players like POM is fine when you are playing inferior nations but against the very best you need QUALITY…not "workhorses".

The reason we persist with these players for so long is because we are still a mentally weak nation when it comes to rugby and too scared to make a big decision at the right time…players like POM, Murray, Healy, Herring don't fit the way we want to play yet we persist with them because we are worried about "disrespecting them" or backing younger players because they are prone to make more mistakes.

What sums it all up for me is the uproar about the camera not showing POM going off…we are getting humped in our own back yard and our GS/Championship aspirations are in tatters. Yet POM not getting enough airtime going off…THAT'S the issue for some fans...

In the end the selections of POM and Healy did cost us this tournament, not because of their performances, but because it showed up our mental fragility that we are too conservative to move on from older players who don't fit our system. The fact we still have people on mass defending the selection is concerning, just shows how ingrained this way of thinking is in Irish rugby culture and doesn't fill me with any confidence that we can solve this issue anytime soon.

It's a blessing they are all retiring, probably the only way the management will ever move on from them.

And again case in point the mentality of Irish rugby. Basically, just persist with POM because he's the least likely to f**k up, is exactly how we end up in situations like yesterday. We like to claim we've learned our lessons, and we have what it takes to win at the highest level, yet days like yesterday show that the mentality of "little old Ireland" is still ingrained in us and until is addressed sadly days like yesterday in big matches will be a common occurrence.

And with all due respect, if Izuchukwu hasn't shown form for international selection, then neither has POM…but that's the other big issue, we aren't even consistent in our conservative selection. Its 1 rule for players like POM and another for the younger players.

I've named 4 options that should be ahead of him. Nobody else has been given a proper opportunity to replace him, that's the issue.

As per usual, we wont find a players successor until that player has retired…typical.

So they get 1 shot and that's it? 50 minutes isn't anywhere near enough game time to establish weather a player is up to it or not. Whatever about Prendergast but with Izuchukwu with his build and style of play we should be backing him. By backing him it means being patient and giving him consistent minutes in the jersey, not 50 minutes…then hooking him only to never see him again.

It's this sort of mindset that leads to a team having a past it 36-year-old playing at 6.

The way Ireland play they need a big, strong, athletic 6…POM isnt that.

Name me a time a NZL,SA,FRA did that? This was Grand Slam decider…it's about winning, not giving someone a send off.

You can say it waffle all you like but the proof is in the pudding.