Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

Farrell/easterby #1 priority is ireland in the short medium and long term and not the Lions.

If he doesn't start at 10 this weekend after Sam's sh1tshow I wouldn't blame him for feeling disheartened.

I noticed last night on ATH for France's first try that Nash was put in the 10 channel to defend any break off from the maul with Sam 'hidden' on the wing where he was way too deep. Immediately spotted by Dupont who went that side. If we're setting up defence solely to cover a known frailty, it will be quickly exposed at international level.

Worse, having to do it in the first place means that player is not ready to be in the team yet, and the rest of the players know it.

but SP hasnt really earned it either? he barely played for leinster before he played for ireland and he hasnt exactly shot the lights out since then either (he also hasnt been anywhere near as bad as some are making out either). JC on the other hand, has won a 6N where Ireland were a last-minute drop goal away from a grand slam, won a test in South Africa and at club level has won a URC. he also has generally played really well (arguably much better than SP) when coming on at 10 and yet has been relegated to limited gametime at 12/15 since

so if youre saying JC hasnt 'earned' the right to demand the jersey, i dont really think you can say SP has really 'earned' anything yet either

Even if the most cruel version of Crowley's treatment is true, that he was casually cast side for a fortunate son born with a Leinster crest already tattooed over his heart who is not half the player, its still the case that the coaches all decided that the younger guy who has less pro game time is a better bet and they are backing their decision with match time. Move on. The coaches have integrity and are a mixed bag of Munster, Leinster and others and they're all on the same page. Personally I hope Crowley gets more time at ten as I want strong competition between the two of them going forward but the coaches have far more insight and far more invested than I do so Im assuming they know what they are doing. The proof of the pudding with be the next 2 years and whether we make it past a semi in the WC and win more championships.

actually that’s a fine point.

I’d agree that both 10’s are in a worse position now than they were coming into this tournament.

what do we reckon the IRFU will offer jack money wise ?

Would love to know how it would stack up to 600k

If Crowley does leave it is exactly what the IRFU deserve and indeed the Irish Mgmt. Disgracefully handled through the 6N. However I have a feeling if Andy Farrell was in charge he would have handled the situation much better. At least we are rid of Easterby after Italy game, I think the guy has lost a huge amount of respect over-the-counter last 6 weeks

Beg pardon?

If there is another point to be made on this after 6 weeks of crying on here Im open to it. But this is more repetitive than chatgpt at this point, literally everything has been said over and over again, particularly the bullying and unfrairness and lunatic versions of coaching decisions made for reasons other than optimising team performance, right or wrong. Impunging coaches motives is pathetic and this is where the discussion has ended up.