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Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

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    #44732
    P.Walnuts
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 6,749 ✭✭✭P.Walnuts


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123279624#Comment_123279624

    Who? Us?



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    #44733
    Paul Smeenus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,387 ✭✭✭Paul Smeenus


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123279700#Comment_123279700

    Yeah. I haven't looked but multiple commentators have said that.

    Beg your pardon - just checked on the site shared above and we're second last - better only than Scotland.



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    #44734
    Paul Smeenus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,387 ✭✭✭Paul Smeenus


    We're last in goal kick % and successful tackle %.



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    #44735
    P.Walnuts
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 6,749 ✭✭✭P.Walnuts


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123279711#Comment_123279711

    I think if you look at it all things being equal, the scrum is the least of our problems and was actually quite decent considering we blooded 3 new guys and were didn't 1st choice players for the majority.

    Like, our scrum didn't really cost us anything and it gained us vital field position on our own 5m line vs Wales late on



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    #44736
    Paul Smeenus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,387 ✭✭✭Paul Smeenus


    Did we not give away a raft of scrum penalties against Wales?



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    #44737
    P.Walnuts
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 6,749 ✭✭✭P.Walnuts


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123279735#Comment_123279735

    Yes in the first half....but I mean , first test start fir our 3rd choice TH ( who looked fine other than that 40 mins)

    I really think if we are actively looking for problems, the scrum is waaaay down the list



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    #44738
    Paul Smeenus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,387 ✭✭✭Paul Smeenus


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123279765#Comment_123279765

    Fair enough, I don't disagree with that.



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    #44739
    eagle eye
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 43,023 ✭✭✭✭eagle eye


    The tournament is over. I think it's time to look forward and talk about what we expect and what we hope for. Will it be Baird or Prendergast who takes POM's spot or out of left field Coombes?

    Who is the third choice scrum-half, Blade was fourth but he's lost his spot in Connacht to Ben Murphy.

    Who is the third choice out-half?

    Personally I think Furlong is done, he just doesn't seem to be able to stay healthy. That then leads to the question as to who comes in? I'd imagine it will be Clarkson?

    Personally I'd like to see Osbourne play 13.



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    #44740
    johnh6767
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,061 ✭✭✭johnh6767


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123279865#Comment_123279865

    9 - Murphy & Gunne. Blade & Doak not at Test level. Doak is a 10 but can’t take on Frawley

    10 - Frawley , but don’t rule out Bristols Harry B



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    #44741
    johnh6767
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,061 ✭✭✭johnh6767


    Great to see Casey is back in training and may make Munster game next week. Real shame he wasn’t around for the 6N he brings great energy



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    #44742
    Paul Smeenus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,387 ✭✭✭Paul Smeenus


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123279865#Comment_123279865

    Sure start a summer tour thread.



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    #44743
    eagle eye
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 43,023 ✭✭✭✭eagle eye


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123280017#Comment_123280017

    Summer tour is different. I'm looking at the future, not the summer. I'm looking at where we might be and where people would like us to be for the Six Nations next year.



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    #44744
    50HX
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 4,125 ✭✭✭50HX


    The summer tour & the November internationals are the first steps into the future.

    If we don't get bodies in at 6,7,9, 12 & at least 1 wing then I'd be disappointed.

    I don't think people get how few test windows are left til RWC



  • Options
    #44745
    awec
    Administrators Posts: 56,605 Admin ✭✭✭✭✭awec


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123279865#Comment_123279865

    Conan is unquestionably the next 6 for Ireland. I wouldn't have Baird near the squad, he's not at this level.

    I'd rather see Osborne play 12 than 13. Ringrose is grand.



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    #44746
    eagle eye
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 43,023 ✭✭✭✭eagle eye


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123280098#Comment_123280098

    Aki is still top notch, the only Irish centre guaranteed to be a Lion.

    The fact Osbourne has played wing and full back suggests he'd be a great 13.

    There's a young 12 coming through in Connacht and I'll be shocked if he isn't the starting 12 for Ireland in two years time. That young man is 21 year old Hugh Gavin who started for the A team against England and played very well. Osbourne's route into a long term starting role for Ireland is at 13.

    Cathal Forde is a very talented young 12 who has been around the Irish panel in recent times but he's been moved to 13 because he's behind Aki and now Gavin.



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    #44747
    AbusesToilets
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 14,784 ✭✭✭✭AbusesToilets


    Thought Aki in particular looked past it. Desperately slow, failed to make the sort of impact carrying that he has had previously, try vs England notwithstanding. Both he and Henshaw looked old and slow. Ringrose did little to impress.



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    #44748
    Gaztric
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 40 ✭Gaztric


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123280169#Comment_123280169

    How about a backline of Hansen, Forde, Gavin, Bolton and Devine plus others! Not beyond the bounds of possibility.



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    #44749
    eagle eye
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 43,023 ✭✭✭✭eagle eye


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123280270#Comment_123280270

    😁

    Gavin is the only one I expect to make it big. Although there's an 18 year old hooker I'm trying to get people to look at, I think he's very special. A few years in the academy and he could be a great one. He's playing with men at 18 and he's well able for it physically. .



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    #44750
    Gaztric
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 40 ✭Gaztric


    Who is the player you are talking about?



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    #44751
    Wegians89
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,511 ✭✭✭Wegians89


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123280169#Comment_123280169

    Gavin has started all his games for Connacht since coming back from injury at 13, with Forde at 12. I’d also assume that it’ll be Bundee at 12 and Gavin at 13 for the rest of the season. Gavin looks a very similar mould to Henshaw.



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    #44752
    clsmooth
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,555 ✭✭✭clsmooth


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123280170#Comment_123280170

    I think the Italy game was a missed opportunity to get Osborne in, but on hindsight maybe the coaches wanted a bit more experience in 12 with the quality that Italy have there.

    Aki looks like he’s on the slide although still capable of some big moments like the England try and Wales impact from the bench. Henshaw shouldn’t be played at 13 again, but still has something to offer at 12 pending on staying fit. He missed a lot of his prime years through niggles.

    Next 6 months is a great opportunity for Gavin if he can stay fit-have a good end to the URC campaign and summer tour and he’ll be in the mix for the AI. As always, injuries are the unknowable factor. Would be good to see Hume get a good run too for Ulster.



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    #44753
    AbusesToilets
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 14,784 ✭✭✭✭AbusesToilets


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123280339#Comment_123280339

    Definitely hoping that at least one of Osborne, Gavin, Postlewaith, Forde or Cooney can make a breakthrough to the starting team by next 6Ns



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    #44754
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 146 ✭✭ [Deleted User]


    I've incredibly high hopes for Hugh Gavin. His power, athleticism, and skill was already stressing seasoned pro defenders as soon as Connacht played him. It was as if he took one Summer in the gym to go from big at u20 to big at pro level. He seems to be adapting to 13 fast. The feedback I've heard from inside camp is that the coaching team are very impressed by how fast he learns.



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    #44755
    crusd
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,134 ✭✭✭crusd


    With this summer tour being key in integrating new players to the squad the IRFU should put their foot down and not permit any more contracted coaches join the Lions. If they can’t stop them going they should be replaced.



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    #44756
    prawnsambo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,436 ✭✭✭✭prawnsambo


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123280170#Comment_123280170

    He was fine at the start of the 6N. That boot to the face against France seemed to knock the stuffing out of him. Didn't think it would affect him in the next game, but he looked subdued.



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    #44757
    durthacht
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 798 ✭✭✭durthacht


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123280098#Comment_123280098

    Conan's role as sub seems to suit him very well.

    Do you see McNabney or McCann as potential flankers for Ireland over the next year or two?



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    #44758
    Paul Smeenus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,387 ✭✭✭Paul Smeenus


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123282556#Comment_123282556

    Personally, I think McNabney's more eye-catching, but McCann has a fantastic skillset - he's the better backrower. But he might be like Hodnett - just doesn't fit, for whatever reason.

    There was a very good post on this recently where someone pointed out McCann doesn't have a USP. He's so important to Ulster, and such a good player, but you know with McNabney you're getting extraordinary physicality. With McCann, you're getting so much at 80%+, but nothing where you can say "let's bring him into the team, we know he'll markedly improve the ball-carrying /turnovers /tackling / lineout etc"

    Having said that, McCann will be 25 later in the year, McNabney just turned 22.

    Post edited by Paul Smeenus on


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    #44759
    AbusesToilets
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 14,784 ✭✭✭✭AbusesToilets


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123282387#Comment_123282387

    He was poor vs England. Got absolutely burnt by Smith, looked like Ross Bryne trying to chase him



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    #44760
    leakyboots
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,887 ✭✭✭leakyboots


    I really like McCann. Would love to see him or Hodnett get some time at 7



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    #44761
    Paul Smeenus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,387 ✭✭✭Paul Smeenus


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123282767#Comment_123282767

    I think he's brilliant. He and Sheridan carried Ulster last season.



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