Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

mr_edge_to_you · 13-03-2025 08:26AM

I am sure the IRFU will and have offered Crowley a reasonable amount compared to his current deal. I would sincerely hope that they haven't lowballed him.

At the end of they day, if the money Leicester are offering is anywhere near true then he needs to strongly consider that offer in a career/profession racked with uncertainty.

I don't think the IRFU can compete with that.

johnh6767 · 13-03-2025 08:54AM

IRFU & Irish management team have handled this situation really poorly and in full glare, it wouldn’t even be an issue if the mismanagement of Crowley hadn’t been so apparent, Leicester being very opportunistic. I’m a huge fan of Andy Farrell and he gets most things right, but this has been a low point and unfair to put everything on Easterby

Packrat · 13-03-2025 09:06AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123259826#Comment_123259826

Under half it according to Ruadhrai o Connor today.

Playing him against Italy now after the horse has bolted (the tournament) smacks of a day late and a dollar short. After being slapped in the face repeatedly having not put a foot wrong in last years win, I'd imagine he'll see it for what it is - a sop to him and to Munster people after what's gone on. Too little too late I think in the case of the fans anyway.

It also makes no sense in SPs development to drop him right now. Just dent his confidence more, - but then isn't that what they do best.

They really made a bed of nettles for themselves didn't they...

VayNiice · 13-03-2025 09:18AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123259877#Comment_123259877

If Crowley decided to leave Munster and Ireland because he had to come off the bench in this year's 6 nations it would be a sign of a massive lack of mental fortitude and immaturity. I could understand if he left purely for the money though.

However I dont believe for a second he is going to leave. It's called playing the game when it's contract renewal time.

Just because Ben Healy **** the bed doesn't mean Crowley would do the same.

ec18 · 13-03-2025 09:23AM

he's probably going to play half at ten and then the other half in the back row with the way coaches are going.

crusd · 13-03-2025 09:30AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123258654#Comment_123258654

3 wins out of 4 and a triple crown is a disaster now?

Its from views like this that the perception of arrogant irish rugby fans is growing

ionadnapóca · 13-03-2025 09:40AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123259474#Comment_123259474

It will be very interesting. It should be at 12. Osborne needs some consistency in selection now.

14. was an odd selection. It may (& did!) have transpired differently.

On the whole I think the selection last week was ok.

This week, after the loss, I was hoping to see Osborne be given the opportunity at 12. Boyle & Clarkson given a start. Prendergast or Deegan at 6. I'm surprised that Crowley is starting. Just like I'm surprised Furlong is coming back for Italy.

TRC10 · 13-03-2025 09:42AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123259895#Comment_123259895

If Crowley decided to leave Munster and Ireland because he had to come off the bench in this year's 6 nations it would be a sign of a massive lack of mental fortitude and immaturity.

Or, it’s a sign that he rates himself higher than the treatment he’s gotten would suggest he is.

phog · 13-03-2025 10:20AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123259895#Comment_123259895

Is it only Munster players that **** the bed when they leave Ireland to play elsewhere or does it apply to all players from Ireland

perverseostrich · 13-03-2025 10:22AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123260060#Comment_123260060

Its only munster players allowed to leave so who knows

Former Former Former · 13-03-2025 10:30AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123259957#Comment_123259957

Genuine question here;

If Crowley leaving is "a sign that he rates himself higher than the treatment he's gotten", what will it mean if he stays?

will that be a sign that he doesn't actually rate himself that highly? It must be, right?

The funniest thing about all this is that people who think they're in Crowley's corner are actually making him out to be some petty child with zero loyalty to either province or country and zero faith in his own ability. All to get a few digs in at Ireland and IRFU.

Utterly bizarre and utterly predictable.

My bet is that relations between Crowley and Ireland are absolutely fine, he'll sign his contract, and precisely zero people here will admit they got it wrong.

2smiggy · 13-03-2025 10:48AM

Mod Edit

Warning issued.

COH · 13-03-2025 10:51AM

Mod Edit

Warning issued.

bingobango12 · 13-03-2025 10:52AM

Mod Edit

Warnng issued.

crusd · 13-03-2025 11:39AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123260136#Comment_123260136

These soft types who take their ball home when they don't get their way and dont display any resilience are definitely not the type of players we need playing for Ireland.

Thankfully, its only the fans who display these qualities

awec · 13-03-2025 11:53AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123260096#Comment_123260096

It is neither petty nor disloyal for him to take the money on offer and go, just like it was neither petty nor disloyal when Johnny Sexton did it a decade ago.

Indeed I don't remember too many of the posters insinuating it would be a slight on his character to leave doing the same to Sexton, indeed I remember an awful lot of digs and whinging about Ireland and the IRFU back then.

As you say, utterly bizarre and predictable.

VayNiice · 13-03-2025 12:00PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123260060#Comment_123260060

No, Healy specifically. Wouldn't fight for his spot with Munster and now out of the Scotland team.

But sure, make it provincial!

typhoony · 13-03-2025 12:07PM

The correct changes have been made, would like to have seen Boyle start.

SaoPaulo41 · 13-03-2025 12:08PM

RTE news : Crowley to start against Italy as Furlong returns

http://www.rte.ie/sport/six-nations/2025/0313/1501858-crowley-to-start-against-italy-as-furlong-returns/

Clegg · 13-03-2025 12:09PM

Congrats to Cian Healy on one of the great test careers. Finishes up on 137 Ireland caps.

Cookiemunster · 13-03-2025 12:12PM

..

phog · 13-03-2025 12:12PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123260332#Comment_123260332

Healy has done more than most professional Irish rugby players will ever do, he played in a RWC.

Personally, I think that's a huge achievement, just like people getting to the Olympics

Clegg · 13-03-2025 12:17PM

I like our front row and its replacements. There's a lot of power and youth there.

Despite the protestations, there's plenty of work going on to build squad depth.

fonecrusher1 · 13-03-2025 12:18PM

Can't help but think how things would have went last weekend with this squad …. 😢

(We still probably would have lost!)

awec · 13-03-2025 12:21PM

Aki on the bench makes absolutely no sense to me.

Osborne was deemed good enough to play on the wing in our most difficult game last week, picked because he covers multiple positions, and yet he's not good enough to replace a guy who only plays one position in the 23 jersey this week?

Both Lowe and Hansen are back from injury and we're going into the game with no wing cover on the bench.

irelandrover · 13-03-2025 12:23PM

I just cant see the logic in starting Crowley.

Unless it was known by both players in advance that Crowley starts this game.

Otherwise it looks to be punishing Prendergast for a poor game which isn't something that I can agree with at his age. He can't be afraid of being dropped after one poor game. Otherwise he will be too afraid to try anything in case it goes wrong.

Or it looks to be rewarding Crowley for possibly leaving Munster which also isn't something to be rewarded. And I also don't think he would be stupid enough to stay because of a start against Italy.

bingobango12 · 13-03-2025 12:24PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123260405#Comment_123260405

Agree with this. Think management need to figure out the 23 jersey and not just have a rotating Aki/Henshaw/Ringrose 23.

ionadnapóca · 13-03-2025 12:24PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123260392#Comment_123260392

That team is going to blitz Italy

Boyle starting instead of Porter, Clarkson instead of Furlong, Prendergast instead of POM and Osborne instead of Henshaw would still blitz Italy.

There was scope to make those few changes at the very least. I do feel this is actually a "conservative" selection.

CatInABox · 13-03-2025 12:47PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123260414#Comment_123260414

I just don't really get this whole punishing players thing. There's no automatic right to be the starter, as Crowley has previously experienced. Prendergast is now in the same boat, losing out based on a poor performance.

Could it hurt his development? Sure. On the other hand, it could also result in him being more driven to correct his errors in play, train harder, etc.

Personally, I hope (and expect) we end this period with two competitive tens that each bring something different to the team. Crowley won't leave Munster, I have full confidence that he will stay, and this Tigers rumour is merely a negotiating tactic, something that SP used to great effect with rumours of him going to Connacht behind parlayed into being the starting ten for Leinster.

Vinnie222 · 13-03-2025 12:47PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123260414#Comment_123260414

Ah, so now we’re handing out international starts like participation trophies to protect fragile egos? What a joke. If Prendergast isn’t mentally strong enough to handle competition, he has no business playing test rugby. Meanwhile, Crowley gets shafted and is just supposed to suck it up? Spare me the double standards.

Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

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