That’s my point. We don’t need to learn from every single selection.
We’re (apparently) rotating our centres, no one will ask what we’re going to learn from playing Henshaw at 12.
I would certainly hope that's the reason rather than pre-ordained or 'Italy' nonsense. Italy will be a challenge and given our current form is no certainty.
Would have started Aki over Henshaw, and not to be contrary but Aki offered a lot off bench v Wales . Agree with you about POM.
From Thornley:
Porter Sheehan Bealham Ryan Beirne Conan Josh Doris Gibson Park Crowley Lowe Henshaw Ringrose Hansen Keenan
Bench:
Boyle Herring Furlong McCarthy O'Mahony Murray Prendergast Aki
Be pretty disappointed if Osborne doesn't make the 23. Aki doesn't offer much cover from the bench and frankly I think Osborne is better this season. Same with POM. What does he offer in this game that is more valuable than giving Prendergast or Izuchukwu a game?
I presume your joking!! Prendegast has had enough chances, enough is ENOUGH!
what would we have learned about playing him ever?
why do we need to learn? Ever?
What are we going to learn from Crowley starting now?
What would we have learned from playing him against Wales? Why do we need to learn anything?
Why would it be nonsensical, Ireland has traditionally changed the team a bit when playing Italy, we've nothing to lose now so you could expect even more change than normal.
Of course there's politicking happening with contract negotiations, there always is. I said at the time that Sexton choose to leave that it actually strengthened the IRFU's hand, threatening to walk may mean you'll have to walk.
I shocked to read though that the stumbling block seems to the duration, why couldn't they offer a 3yr contract and keep him at home.
That would be the Welsh game this time. With the break week and all.
This would have been a good game for Prendergast to finish off the 6N with a flourish.
If he’s starting on Saturday this was likely preordained from a while ago
It’s very unlikely this is a desperate gambit to keep him here and even less likely that Crowley would be swayed by it.
Simplest explanation is usually right. It’s Italy, that’s when we rotate.
Sounds like the opinion of someone trapped inside their car on the M50 everyday.
the view inside the m50, maybe.
this 6 nations has been a disaster for Ireland. let's try an limit the damage.
Bizzare
Crowley starting now is absolutely nonsensical given the backing that has been given to Prendergast.
A cynic might think there's some politicking going on here with these contract talks.
There is room for both 10's but it needs to be managed a damp sight better than it has for both their sakes
This 100%
42 - Crowley to start , said with absolute no doubt conviction
The more I think about the 10 debate the more I think Sam P has been unfairly thrown in at the deep end & done so too quickly.
He's a developing 10 who had 70 minutes of CC rugby (not knock out either) prior to the AI's.
Returns from AI & kind of has start as 10 for Leinster as the optics otherwise would be surreal.
I thought Leinster were handling his development well.
Now he's jettisoned to the top of the club pile & that's confirmed by Ross B departure & Autumn test starts
There is a monumental leap from URC level to test level speed & physicality.
It's a good job he comes across as confident as he does as he will need ever ounce of it.
He has to start in Rome imo, if they really want to see him as the future starter then he needs every game available to him, Inc summer tour. There are not that many test games to the RWC if that's the goal
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.
Agree completely, 6-2 doesn't suit us at all & I think france going 7-1 spooked the management a little maybe.
We didn't go 6-2 split in SA iirc
that’s not very nice
And I was asking if Prendergast should be dropped!
I thought Prendergast looked very gassed around the 55min mark, it would've been great to bring Crowley on then, but the bench split fecked us.
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.
who cares what he thinks? his comments are copy paste..
i don't think Crowley will go, but on the small %chance that he does, the IRFU might try and shovel Harry down to Munster… shudder.
I'd be happy with Frawley, though.
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.
ok and do you think Prendergast should be dropped for Italy?
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.
Very true
nah it’s Italy.
Doesn’t matter who starts.
In fact, the players reputation can only fall against Italy. Nothing to gain imo.
But the tournament isn't over yet. Crowley could easily start at 10 against the Italians and put in a Man Of The Match performance which catapults back into pole position. Then he gets a lucrative deal from the IRFU to seal a great end to his campaign.
I dont. I think we would have lost regardless.
