Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

Watched the game back this morning, I'm pretty convinced now that we missed Farrell more than we realise.

Firstly, team selection was irrelevant. Swapping Prendergast for Crowley, or Baird for POM, or whatever, would have made no difference either yesterday or last week. The issues affected almost everyone and rearranging the deck chairs wouldn't have helped.

Secondly, these guys have not all gone from (almost) the best team in the world to being rubbish, none of them are particularly old and we had a reasonably fit squad to pick from, France game aside.

So what happened?

Watching the game yesterday, it was obvious to me that the difference is in their heads, that we're not mentally switched on at all and we've lost the ability to dig out a performance.

From yesterday - the brain-dead penalties from Ringrose and Beirne, Hansen having the ball in his hands and then taking his eye off it to gift them the second try, Crowley's pass behind Sheehan 10 metres out, JGP with his big loopy pass over Lowe's head into touch, all the easy line breaks for Italy in the first half, Murray staring at a loose ball instead of pouncing on it. We just weren't tuned in at all. (edit: Lowe was the honorable exception, he was razor sharp)

And go back to the France game, what killed us? Their quick turnarounds every time we did something right. We scored a try, we instantly concede a penalty. We score a try, we instantly concede a try and get a man yellow-carded. The easy 'held-ups' over the line, McCarthy's YC, on and on. France were very good but we certainly helped them.

The Wales game? We go down to 14 men and suddenly Wales look like an actual rugby team. We needed to find an extra gear to make up for the man down and instead we collapsed in on ourselves like a dying star. We get back to 15 and normal service resumes.

Scotland and England games - we did all the hard work and then conceded a silly amount of points in the closing minutes, it might not have affected the results but it gave us a mountain to climb yesterday. Again, we were already in the dressing room while the game was still going on, our heads weren't in it at all.

Key players just didn't seem to have their mojo at all, and all the focus on the 10 jersey is missing the wood for the trees IMO.

Is it too optimistic to think that Farrell has a better command of the mental preparation side of things than Easterby, and the lack of focus and determination can be fixed relatively quickly when he comes back? I certainly hope so because something was definitely off this 6N.

As soon as this money grab Lions jolly ends the better for Irish Rugby.

If no Irish player gets picked it would be a blessing.

Human nature, but a lot of over reactions I feel to the last few weeks.

It was a messy tournament from an Irish perspective. Head coach on sabbatical, players coming to an end mixed with young and inexperienced players trying to find their footing at this level. We still played some great rugby in patches. We dismantled England (world cup champions in waiting 🙄) and should have won by more. Bullied Scotland and should have won by more.

The France game got away from us. 20 mins with 14 men against them killed us and we played into their hands. Didn't kick half enough.

I think and feel we will see a bit of an evolution in the team come the autumn series. The likes of Osborne are going to be making more squads and starting 15's at centre. Prendergast will have come on for the runs he's going to get for Leinster and we are going to see new blood in a number of key positions due to retirements.

Just one thing to note from yesterday's game. I thought Furlong looked very powerful when he came on. Touch wood he's over his issues because he's a game changer for both club and country.

Furlong and Bealham would be a huge concern.

Boyle and Clarkson need to be starting games in the summer.

We have a bit of a problem at 9

I was in the stadium and thought the ovations for the departing players were very nice myself.

Apart from Osborne who the coaching staff seem reluctant to pick in his best position, none of the players you mention have really taken their opportunities when they arise.

I think it's a sign of a management team that have run out of ideas when they consistently stick with the same players when they are no longer performing, the other piece being they will shuffle around half the team to keep the same core on the field rather than simply replace the player that is out like for like. Eddie O Sullivan in his latter days had a brilliant backline, but if one was missing everyone else was moved rather than simply swap out for the next best available.

Our lineout has been poor since the world cup. No one knows how our scrum will perform on any given day. For a details based team, we've been shockingly casual this season. Where has our famed quick rucks gone to? even against France where they competed very little. The coaching team needs a big shake up.

A lot of our senior players could do with a long hard look at how they are performing. Would any Irish Player make a team of the tournament? Dan Sheehan probably, maybe Lowe but who else? possibly Gibson Park? A few honorable mentions, Keenan consistently good, Doris maybe?

Mostly. Pom had the ability to win defensive lineouts that I don't think any other six we have can do as well.

If we see Conan as the replacement then he has a lot of experience, between Ireland and the lions, on the internal stage. If we see one of Izzy, Baird, Cian p, ahead, coombs etc, then absolutely agree

My ratings across the tournament for the Irish players.

Porter 6.5 solid and consistent at set piece but no longer a difference maker in the loose.

Healy 8 completed his limited role with customary consistency. A legend.

Kelliher 7 a nuts and bolts hooker always decent. We missed him when he got injured.

Sheehan 7.5 delivered on the final day after a sub par ( for him) outing against france.

McCarty 6.5 contributed well when called on, looks to have a lot of composure and professionalism, some bulking to be done.

Bealham 8 couldn't have contributed more, a player most observers would have had in the only in an emergency category has stepped into the shoes of one of our best and never took a backwards step. Lions reward ?

Clarkson 7 baby steps in this most challenging of positions, showing good promise.

Furlong 10 how good was it to see this legend back in the front row yesterday. There's life in the old dog yet. Needs a run now for Leinster to remind everyone of the quality.

Ryan 6 Never lacks for effort but needs to find a way to impact the big moments. A player of rare physical quality in Ireland but needs to go to AWJ school to learn to dominate.

Beirne 7 always a threat when Beirne shines Ireland shine. A little of the glitter missing this time around.

McCarty 6 Has the raw talent and bulk, a player for the future for sure but he is needed now. Seems to be playing the carrier role may be more suited to the enforcer.

Pom 6 screaming at the dying of the light. Go well and thanks who now will get upset at the least of outrages.

Jdvf 7 peerless in terms of effort, is the impact diminishing? We certainly hope not. Perhaps a Lions swansong?

Doris 8 has the tools to be the Alpha needs more from those around him to allow him to swagger. Stands out nearly every game as a difference maker.

Conan 8 seems to be benefiting from the break last season. Brings power and smarts and a very important player for us in the absence of pom going forward.

Baird 6.5 Didn't shine in his 1 start but added plenty from the bench when given the call. There looks like there's more but let's see it.

Jgp 7 quality with a few glimpses of dodgy decision making, not getting the armchair rise of the past from his pack. Less influential than last year.

Murray 7 solid and reliable. No sentiment in his selections. Best of luck

Prendergast 6 flashes of brilliance show a huge potential but basics win games. Needs to win the games not every moment, get the basics right and add the flash after. Looks diminished by the poor selection policies and the media coverage.

Crowley 6 A partner to SP in the master class of how to mess up two good players with bad selection policies Solid if unspectacular nuts and bolts 10. Far more valuable than filling a utility role.

Bundi 8 There's a bundi shaped hole coming at 12 and our centres don't look the same without his hard carrying and attitude. Lions trip.

Henshaw 6.5 better outside bundi than inside Ringrose but a better 12 than 13. Figure that one out.

Ringrose 6 Ireland's shooter but has he taken one shot too many. Struggling to put his stamp on things this year.

Lowe 9 Makes something from nothing which has been very necessary in this Irish attack. Boot, power, attitude and skill. Badly missed when out.

Mack 7.5 Plays so much rugby in every game. Prone to the odd error and lacks a little power but has the smarts to keep defenses in trouble. Chase and high ball work very important to Ireland.

Nash 6.5 Good straightline winger unlikely to get many chances to shine and needs a few moments to happen for him. Will lose out to inferior players who have a point of difference if he doesn't.

Keenan 8 Never a bad game, less influential in this edition of Ireland's attack but consistent and unchallenged.

Osbourne 7.5 12, 15, 14 Has it all but where and instead of whom. My monies on 12 this summer. Perhaps a 12/13 combination with Henshaw.

Coaching 4.5 Can't help feeling that the 10 situation has been exceptionally badly managed and rubbed off in the team. Prendergast with Crowley off the bench was the smart call with. Blunt attack, misfiring power plays, lowered skill level. Changes may be required in playing strategy and coaching personnel.

Time to widen the pool and begin a serious rebuild.