Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

prawnsambo · 20-03-2025 11:20PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123282724#Comment_123282724

He was never very quick though and it's no shame to be burned by Smith.

typhoony · 21-03-2025 12:27AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123282604#Comment_123282604

McNabney caught my eye when I saw him playing against Connacht. He's a bolter for me as a potential starter in the backrow the next 6 nations.

Utah_Saint · 22-03-2025 12:18PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123283100#Comment_123283100

He's mostly played 8, as that suits Ulster's requirements. However I think he could be a great option at 6.

bilston · 22-03-2025 05:09PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123286771#Comment_123286771

I might be wrong but I think he has a fairly even amount of game time in both positions. But one thing is for sure, with Augustus coming next season he will probably play a lot more at 6 and I think that will suit his international aspirations. What I'm not sure about yet is his handling ability(I dont mean this negatively I just haven't noticed it), he has the destructive power and the pace, but how would he adapt to the Ireland gameplan which requires forwards to be able to sit at first receiver and give tip ons and passes in behind like a 10 would? If he has that in his locker then he could be very very good.

pickarooney · 22-03-2025 05:10PM

Is Izzy going to play lock when he's back?

bilston · 22-03-2025 05:24PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123287498#Comment_123287498

Next season I think he'll have to, I'd imagine the Ulster back row would be McNabney, Timoney, Augustus with McCann as back up with Izzy and Hendy in the row.

To bring it back to Ireland, is it a good thing that Izzy moves to the row? Ryan and McCarthy have years left and Beirne isn't going anywhere this side of the WC either. Maybe there is an opening behind those three.

phog · 22-03-2025 08:51PM

This weekend 16 years ago in Cardiff we won our first GS of the professional era.

I was behind the goals that Bowe scored at and the one that ROG got his DG to clinch the win.

I was sure we buthered it when we gave away a late penalty but happily it wasn't scored.

I got Jack Kyle to sign my jersey in Cardiff airport, I wore it again in Rome last week, unfortunately no fairy tale ending this year.

https://youtu.be/u7MomSNHo40?si=cTxODvUosKXAofo6

Clegg · 22-03-2025 09:26PM

POC to be Ireland interim head coach while Farrell and Easterby are with the Lions.

https://twitter.com/IrishTimesSport/status/1903496781465600030?t=0Rlj70VuRYAeD96ze1tAVg&s=09

bilston · 22-03-2025 10:35PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123288096#Comment_123288096

16 years ago...puke…what a day though and what a team. Maybe it's my middle age speaking, but that team seemed to have more personality or individuality than today's squad.

For the record today's squad has been brilliant and in 2023 was the best team we've ever had.

eagle eye · 22-03-2025 10:46PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123288468#Comment_123288468

The further you go back the more personality there was. The game has become far more professional and serious as time has went by.

AbusesToilets · 22-03-2025 10:51PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123288096#Comment_123288096

Watched it in a hut on a base in Uruzagan. Went absolutely mental when Murphy booted the ball out. Still think it was a garbage call against Wallace.

For Petes Sake · 23-03-2025 12:20AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123288205#Comment_123288205

I don't know if I'm alone here, but I think it's an absolutely shocking decision for Easterby to go to the Lions.

That means in 2025, we'll have had Easterby coaching the 6N, O'Connell doing the Summer, and Farrell back for the Autumn.

That kind of messing with coaching tickets helps absolutely nobody.

50HX · 23-03-2025 12:35AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123288748#Comment_123288748

No you are not alone.

Agree fully with you.

Fogarty might as well go as well sure

Zero continuity heading into the November tests

23-03-2025 03:49AM

I'm also seriously unimpressed with the idea of heavily disrupting our national coaching team for the Lions. Is POC supposed to bring in some coaches from our already disrupted provincial setups and search for a solution to the problem of evolving our game plan while the lads are off on a jolly from a past era?

AbusesToilets · 23-03-2025 04:37AM

NZ are gonna hammer us in Nov the way this is shaking out

RichieRich_89 · 23-03-2025 09:12AM

Most of the first XV will be playing to Farrell's structures. Just in a red jersey instead of a green one. And O'Connell will be a more experienced coach come next November. I don't really see the problem.

OldRio · 23-03-2025 10:11AM

Absolute shambles for the progress of the Ireland team. Disruption is not what is needed. Blooding in new coaches is not what is needed.

I'm not a fan of the Lions and they are not making it any harder for me to dislike. A pinnacle for players in the amateur era is now a money making capitalist wet dream.

phog · 23-03-2025 11:00AM

I love the Lions Tours and I'm happy enough with the best coaches getting picked too.

As it's Portugal and Spain we're playing during the summer then why not use the tour to give experience to other coaches, we've done it with EI tours. Probably can't happen but it would be great to see ROG or Noel Mc get a shot with Ireland during the summer or Farrell to take them on the Lions Tour and see how he rates them for a future Irish gig

eagle eye · 23-03-2025 12:30PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123289216#Comment_123289216

ROG isn't taking some part time gig. The only Irish job he might be interested in is the top job and I'm not sure he's very interested in that just yet.

phog · 23-03-2025 12:51PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123289382#Comment_123289382

I'm not suggesting he'd take a part time gig, I'm saying, if it could happen that either himself or Noel Mc could be seconded from their club to either the Lions Tour or the Irish summer tour.

I thought it was obvious without stating it that no coach worth their salt would leave their full-time role just for a summer tour.

Podge_irl · 23-03-2025 12:56PM

They're not going to bring in someone from outside the IRFU for this tour. Though God knows who will actually end up going.

Also we're playing Georgia and Portugal. I know there have been rumours of a third game though I've not seen anything confirmed.

phog · 23-03-2025 01:11PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123289453#Comment_123289453

They'll need someone with POC, if they want someone like ROG or Noel Mc back in Ireland they could (if it's possible) look to second them for a summer tour.

Other than that they're looking at coaches coaching at home.

Podge_irl · 23-03-2025 01:35PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123289498#Comment_123289498

I don't think either the IRFU would want to or that their existing employers would allow it to be honest. I can't think offhand of any similar situation happening anywhere before.

Noel McNamara is a complete non-runner anyway, as UBB will expect to be in the Top14 final. Any additions to the coaching panel are going to come from existing provincial coaches.

fonecrusher1 · 23-03-2025 01:38PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123289032#Comment_123289032

We've a pretty important 2 years ahead pre RWC. Switching and swapping coaches like this cannot be good for continuity in the context of developing the team. Trying out new players, exploring different tactics etc. We need a steady hand.

Ideally it should be just Farrell knuckling down for this instead this lions tour BS interferring in our coaching. I'm interested in our future. Not that nonsense. I've no interest really.

Must love hardship · 23-03-2025 02:01PM

I think I read somewhere that johnny sexton will be part of the Irish coaching ticket this summer?

Wouldn't be surprised if some of the coache from the provinces also helped out. The A team coaches were: Mike Prendergast (Head Coach/Attack Coach)

Jimmy Duffy (Forwards)

Sean O’Brien (Defence)

Mark Sexton (Backs/Assistant Attack Coach)

Colm Tucker (Scrum/Breakdown).

I wouldn't be suprosed if they were involved again.

Jump_In_Jack · 23-03-2025 03:12PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123289453#Comment_123289453

Is it Georgia and Romania confirmed and Portugal were after saying they were in talks to host Ireland too, so could be a three test tour to the Tier two teams.

Never checked since, but that was what was rumoured months ago as far as I can remember.

Podge_irl · 23-03-2025 03:17PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123289753#Comment_123289753

Portugal is the only match announced by the IRFU. I have heard all of Spain, Romania and Georgia mentioned for the other matches, but I think the consensus is Georgia plus potentially one other.

23-03-2025 03:26PM

It'll be a selection of coaches from the provinces. We generally include one or more coaches on these tours anyway. Anything else just undermines the whole IRFU coach progression structure. If other Irish coaches want to get involved there are two clear paths through applying for national coaching roles, and applying for provincial roles.

Jump_In_Jack · 23-03-2025 03:40PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123289763#Comment_123289763

I would love a four match tour, play all of those mentioned, why not, there should be plenty of guys of the calibre required available to resource that tour, and it would be valuable to see those guys in action.

Perfect timing to look at options two years out from a World Cup.

A squad of 33 should cover it.

2 deep in every position and an extra front row.

Could even make one or two into a mid-week game and shorten the tour, give everyone as many minutes each as much as possible.

AbusesToilets · 23-03-2025 04:08PM

Would love to see consistent games for Spain and Portugal against the 6Ns teams. They play a lovely style of rugby and fantastic destinations

Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

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