Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

Podge_irl · 23-03-2025 04:22PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123289828#Comment_123289828

You could definitely do Spain and Portugal in one week anyway, they are both fairly poor at the moment (as, indeed, are Romania). But I think it is fairly unlikely.

sprucemoose · 24-03-2025 05:55PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123289544#Comment_123289544

they already did it with O Gara in 2017 for the game against the USA. agree overall though that its highly unlikely

50HX · 26-03-2025 10:53PM

It's spot on

El Vino · 26-03-2025 10:59PM

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

O'Connell could do with being a better lineout coach and is certainly not ready for further advancement, as for not seeing a problem, if our last 3 6N games didn't show you we have a problem I'm not sure what will. The first XV need a refresh and are many are in decline. This completely devalues the development opportunity of the summer Ireland tour for players which should be the priority not coaches

27-03-2025 12:19AM

I'm hoping that Farrell will be using the Lions as a compressed experiment in evolving a variant in Ireland's game plan. If a huge contingent of Ireland starters are in camp then there could be a benefit. IMHO Farrell being away means we may not be able to "fix" our phase attack problems without him as it's a rugby league derived attack only he truly understands himself. Unless it's Sexton's moment to step up...

The Summer tour around the Lions year always feels more like an A selection, but I still think we're missing some value having so many coaches away. There should be a huge chance for players to break through given the aging profile of some squad members and the inevitable post-Lions player fatigue. This could cost some of them a shot.

eagle eye · 27-03-2025 07:55PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123301959#Comment_123301959

He could be a great head coach and not a good lineout coach. We've seen this many times working both ways.

Brief_Lives · 27-03-2025 08:11PM

this tour isn't worth a hoot to the players, as the MO returns to normal for the november tests, in prep for the world cup seeding in 2026.

The tour will be of benefit to POC, so at least there is that positive output.

Paul Smeenus · 28-03-2025 11:24AM

Watched the Irish Independent rugby podcast on YouTube yesterday.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1oxObPNnNs

Cian Tracey said he was talking to Robbie Henshaw while attending the media jamboree for Andy Farrell announcing his Lions coaches. Henshaw told him (37:10) that the Leinster players had real issues this 6N switching between Neinaber's Leinster defensive system and the Ireland defensive system. He talked about not being on the same page as Bundee Aki, and it being his fault. Apparently it'll be in an Independent article.

Also, a suspicion that Easterby is a replacement for Felix Jones, who was the plan before he went back to SA. That's informed conjecture though.

Brief_Lives · 28-03-2025 04:21PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123305931#Comment_123305931

anything containing RoC, is a hard pass from me. the guy is stealing a living.

clsmooth · 28-03-2025 04:26PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123306951#Comment_123306951

100%. I feel he’s constantly trying to drive a narrative rather than reporting on what’s actually going on like a journalist should do.

Paul Smeenus · 28-03-2025 04:47PM

He's not the guy reporting it, and he won't be the journalist whose name will be on the article when it comes out.

Still, you're right to ignore it. I'm sure there's absolutely nothing to be gleaned from Henshaw explaining the defensive issues the Irish team experienced to a journalist appearing on a podcast with another contributor you don't like.

ersatz · 28-03-2025 06:01PM

there’s a lot of sh1t talked about all these journalists all the time, I’d take it with a pinch of salt. None are as good or bad as is made out. If the hosts facilitate any kind of space where there are interesting insights then it’s a win. Much of their blather reflects on the institutions they work for and the emphasis of editors/senior producers and the ad dept.

CalmaftertheGav · 28-03-2025 07:13PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123306965#Comment_123306965

To be fair, that’s the case with 90% of rugby journalism today.

Rugbyf565 · 28-03-2025 08:59PM

Baloucoune is officially the greatest Irish winger of all time

eagle eye · 28-03-2025 09:22PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123307198#Comment_123307198

I don't bother listening to anything unless you have a respected current or former head coach. You'll get great insight and get an education listening to them.

Former players know what it's like to be in an international setup but that doesn't mean they have a clue about what it takes today and what your job is for any position they didn't play.

crossman47 · 29-03-2025 05:38PM

Crowley showed to day what he can do - brilliant in all aspects of the game v Connacht - ok, it was only Connacht.

Brief_Lives · 29-03-2025 06:55PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123309588#Comment_123309588

nobody says "it was only connacht", anymore.

New to rugby?

johnh6767 · 29-03-2025 07:00PM

Crowley was top in decision making & execution, varied the game beautifully. Also shows the importance of Casey who was outstanding, a strong 9 makes life easier for 10

Brief_Lives · 29-03-2025 07:05PM

Crowley was excellent today.

Crowley and Casey made the game for Munster.

almostover · 29-03-2025 07:20PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123309811#Comment_123309811

It was a major pity Casey got injured for the 6N, he looks like a guy ready to step up to the next level.

joedamuss · 29-03-2025 07:28PM

Watching Leinster v sharks, Frawleys no outhalf !!!!!

Clegg · 29-03-2025 07:44PM

Wrong thread

crossman47 · 30-03-2025 08:17PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123309786#Comment_123309786

No, I'm not. I first saw Munster play in 1967. Its just I was expecting the usual kick back when praising Crowley.

Clegg · 31-03-2025 05:23PM

Gerry Thornley is reporting that Jack Crowley has signed a new deal with Munster.

CatInABox · 31-03-2025 06:28PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123314526#Comment_123314526

Shocked, etc.

Fair play to the youngster, hope he got a good deal out of them.

ionadnapóca · 01-04-2025 09:13AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123314735#Comment_123314735

Shocked?

or Fooled?

New CC for Prendergast incoming...

P.Walnuts · 01-04-2025 09:45AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123315775#Comment_123315775

Seeing as he signed a Leinster contract last week, I'm gonna say that's unlikely.

ionadnapóca · 01-04-2025 10:08AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123315867#Comment_123315867

Was not sure if this was an Aprils fools! I didn't hear that. Great news all round!

CatInABox · 01-04-2025 10:10AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123315775#Comment_123315775

Twas sarcasm. I was never in any doubt as to whether he'd leave or not, same way that I didn't think Sam Prendergast was going to travel to Connacht. All the back and forth in the media with Irish players is faintly ridiculous, as ultimately any player that wants to play for their country won't leave, so people here and in the media hyperventilating about his treatment, and how it could make him leave, always struck me as way over the top.

Crowley has always seemed to me as someone that absolutely loves playing for Munster, and has a real connection with the Munster faithful. He's also well able to compete for starter in the Ireland team, so yeah, in my opinion, it was never in doubt.

I do genuinely believe that players should absolutely go through with the media charade though, as their playing career is so short, and they need to maximise their gains while they still can. At the end of the day, these guys aren't all that well paid for what they put themselves through.

CatInABox · 01-04-2025 10:14AM

Speaking of faintly ridiculous things, Squidge just put out his Lions picks, and how he picked a 13 from Leinster I'll never know.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKZFuGu0ezQ

Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

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