Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

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.

Its only munster players allowed to leave so who knows

Mod Edit

Warnng issued.

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

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

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.

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.

Jobs for the boys back in full swing

Is it literally the same team that played in the world cup 2 years ago

If you cant beat Italy with a few new players than what is the point

And POM & Murray on the bench is a proper joke, even Aki

Osbourne should go looking for a big pay day

So one poor performance isn’t enough to drop a player, unless it’s McCarthy? Got it. And rotating 10s is bad because it hurts confidence, but keeping a clearly better player benched for no reason is totally fine? Incredible consistency. Crowley has been shafted, we agree there. But the idea that starting him now somehow adds to that is nonsense. What, is the solution to just leave him sitting on the bench forever so no one gets their feelings hurt? If anything, giving him the start is the bare minimum after how badly he’s been treated.

No. Again. Don't drop McCarthy because he had a bad game. Drop him because he had a bad game AND an absolutely braindead yellow card.

Again no, rotating 10s isn't a bad idea. But this isn't rotating 10s. This is starting Crowley in a dead rubber game after Prendergast started 4 games. I don't think game time last year was rotated between Casey and jgp because Casey started against Italy.

I don't think starting Crowley in this game has huge benefits. You appear to be punishing Prendergast for a bad game, or rewarding Crowley for maybe leaving.

I think Crowley should have started more games in the six nations. I think he should have got more time at 10. Rotating your tens and giving both time is a good idea. I think Crowley should have started against France based on his defence.

I just don't understand the benefit now of starting him. The six nations is lost. Starting Crowley looks like a reaction to the rumours of him leaving. I don't think there is a benefit for Crowley or Prendergast.