Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

For fans and opinionators like us I don’t think Crowley’s performance clarifies that he’s better at anything than SP. He had a big chance, it was Italy and they copped 2 cards, you really couldn’t ask for more yet he was no more than adequate and wouldn’t really be the focus of any positive match review. Goes down as a missed opportunity for him. Maybe the selectors know what they’re doing even if there are legitimate questions about coaching for attack and mental prep..

Izzy was to be picked for the Wales game but got injured.

Let's be honest, the 10 debate is a distraction from the real issue. The team is poorly coached and trying to play a game plan that doesn't suit the team's strengths. I'd hope Leinster get rid of Neinabaer, we don't have the profile of players here to play that hugely physical off-ball type game. And unfortunately it's bleeding into the national team.

We could have had prime Sexton at 10 the last 2 games and I don't think the results would have been much different.

Unfortunately for him if Henshaw and Jordi are fit it's likely he won't make the 23 in the business end of Europe

What’s the deal with Gleeson? He’s only gotten 230 minutes with Munster this year in 8 appearances. Has he been injured or is has his underage form/power not quite translated to senior rugby yet?

I’d be expecting Farrell to be suggesting him and Hugh Gavin get fast tracked considering they were standout players at U20 and look physically big enough to be starting regular URC games at least. I expect them to be capped in Summer depending on injuries but need to be getting more minutes in the URC.

Henry Pollock whose a year younger for comparison was played 977 mins across 18 games (although two of those have U20 and one an England A game) this season.

I think he played U20 in the earlier games.

Bloody hell. Some pup.

So POC, Sexton and Easterby going on Lions tour as coaches so who will run the summer tour?

Agree with you, but the problem is when the national team is so reliant on Leinster's success it bleeds through. It's very hard for Ireland to play differently to Leinster when they contribute 75% of the match day 23 for most games.

The counter point to that is how valuable it is to the attack to have the OH so regularly at the bottom of ruck? It is all about finding the right balance.

Personally, I agree that Prendergast can turn the dial up a bit more on how frequently he follows through on attempting to make breaks but nearly everything regarding the selection decisions for the majority of the tournament points to the coaching ticket being ok with, if not actively telling, him to continue as he is.

Doesn't that suggestion illustrate how the IRFU have made serious errors in favouring Leinster? A player is being touted for the national team who will likely not play in serious matches for our leading club.

Other errors include allowing Syman to come to Leinster (if he couldn't stay with Munster then he should have been told Ulster and Connacht were his options) and Barrett similarly (Leinster have at least three potential internationa centres already).

Without adding much to the SP/Crowley debate, its no surprise to me that SP looks better at club level - hes getting a rolls royce service from a dominant pack while Crowley is trying to cope behind the worst Munster pack in years.