Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

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.

Put yourself in Crowley place.
from the highs of the 2024 6 nations and the South African tour to the lows of the autumn and this 6 nations ,
It’s quiet a come down and I think if it was Frawley taking his spot he could probably deal with it , but when it’s an unproven 22 year old who is so out of their depth, it’s very hard to take for Crowley.
as it would be for any of us in our own jobs.

If the Irish management don’t fancy Crowley, which they don’t, then he should go. There is nothing worse staying in a job where you are not wanted

to me this reads as highly speculative. You have no idea that Crowley feels this way. It’s sport, SP is in his second season of champions cup and came into the 6 N on 4 caps, 3 starts and no losers. He’s not lost a CC match nor an Ireland match until Saturday. Crowley has known there’s a question mark over his position in the pecking order sicnr the wc and everything we know about his says he’s a team player who works his ass off and has a very positive attitude. It’s pro sport, nothing like your job. There are 40 guys looking for 15 spots on Saturday, if it gets too much it’s the wrong gig.

https://x.com/offtheball/status/1899603747010973950/video/1

The 6N was sold to us as an opportunity to train 2 out halves 

Was it? By whom?

Easterby said that Crowley got the full 6 nations last year and they were looking at doing the same for Sam this year.

Crowley is obviously ahead in his development. He has 24 caps to his name. They are giving Sam time this year to get him up to speed with the added pace and intensity of International rugby. It was always going to be a learning experience for him. Crowley already has a 6 nations, RWC and summer tour behind him. He is a known article.

It is not mutually exclusive that Sam is not yet the finished article but also capable of leading the Irish team. I don't think Crowley would have drastically moved the needle in the France game. So all this talk of Sam being found out etc is hyperbole.

I expect Sam to start this weekend. Hopefully a 5-3 bench and Jack can get some more minutes at 10.