Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

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.

Boyle, Osborne all 12, Timoney at 7

We have options to throw guys in around the park

Various commentators

I dont. I think we would have lost regardless.

nah it’s Italy.

Doesn’t matter who starts.

In fact, the players reputation can only fall against Italy. Nothing to gain imo.

if the selection was made on merit Crowley would never have fallen out of pole position. Whatever Sam P's ceiling is, he's not near it now. Selection was made based on what Farrell wants which isn't a ball playing Ten it's the Leinster style catch and pass or kick option. The only way Crowley could be back in pole position is if Sam sh!ts the bed in Rome.

Now is not the time for logical analysis.

Of course Jack is going to leave his home province. Only a complete scrub would accept coming off the bench for 6 games.

No not by the IRFU, good point, not sure why they didn't publicise their tactics before the tournament started. My point is that if they were meant to be building 2 out halves over the tournament, they didn't do it very well. Instead they overplayed one of them. I'd be just as annoyed if they overplayed Crowley while they were meant to be building 2 out halves. They keep this up, regardless of player then one injury or ban is all it will take to unsettle a team

France were very strong but so were we. I think 3 incidents, the 2 yellow cards and the pass to the french player which eventually resulted in a try for France, were ultimately what cost us the game. Not sure any of those incidents could be pinned on the out half selection to be fair.

that’s not very nice

And I was asking if Prendergast should be dropped!

Yes not by the irfu or anyone of any significance.

I don’t think Prendergast should be carrying any of the flak for the loss to France and to drop him now would do more harm than good to the young man.

But it looks like Crowley will start.