Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

How are Ahern and Baird remotely in the same bucket when it comes to Ireland? Ahern has never played for Ireland. He isn't in any bucket.

Zero caps speaks for itself.

🙄

And Cian Tracey can speak for me:

First, there was the shoulder problem that ruled him out of the (uncapped) All Blacks XV game in November 2022. Then there was the head injury, suffered this time last year, that cost Ahern his place as a “training panellist” in Ireland’s Six Nations squad, before an ankle issue in early June not only scuppered his hopes of being included for the summer tour to South Africa, but the ensuing four months out also hindered his bid to make his senior international debut last November.

That’s obviously part of the context.

But if you really think he “can’t buy his way into an Ireland extended squad” I’m willing to to bet €50 - to the charity of your choice - that, injury excepting, he’ll get his first Ireland cap this Summer.

Untwist them yourself, you don't have to reply either. I wasn't quoting you in the first place but here you are.

It's a decent video, but I feel he doesn't address the most important aspect of Prendergast's game, which is the quality of his passing. Coupled with his decision making, he is elite in that regard. Like he shows him making a pass to the wing in that video that he'd be absolutely creaming over if it was Russell doing it.

Excellent video - entertaining and informative. I learned a lot there.

@AbusesToilets I think you need to watch it again. He includes several of SP's most alluring passes and talks about how they're special.

I felt he was focusing more on Prendergast's decision making and passing at the line, rather than his more expensive abilities. Minor quibble certainly. I'd like to see him do similar analysis on the other prominent 10s, Crowley, the Smiths, Russel and such.

Felt he was a bit off base with regards Prendergast's tackling. His issue for me is an attitude one, rather than just being **** at tackling, in that he lacks the aggression or instinct to get stuck in. Whether it's possible to address that remains to be seen.

I did yea. He spent the video slagging his **** technique. I think he's fine when he actually commits to it, albeit it still being a soak tackle.

he did say that SPs tackling issue was at least partly mental, but it was refreshing to see it contextualised. He doesn’t hit rucks either! The main take away is that he has a very nice range of skills, is highly dangerous as a catcher and kicker in the backfield and, importantly, he sows uncertainty among defenders because he takes the ball late and close to the line and makes decisions very fast if the picture changes. It was all well evidenced.

The list of tens who are terrible tacklers was pretty long, too.

I don’t think the mention on the video of SP’s tackling was meant to be taken totally seriously. Yes, he can improve but he doesn't need to be anywhere near the best on the team. You don’t want an out-half getting injured on a constant basis.

• Tiny body of work
• If he can finish the season well and injury free that will be great

versus:

• Can’t buy his way into extended Ireland squad
• Isn’t good enough to get into the conversation
• Zero caps speaks for itself

You’ve made my point for me.

Personally, I think both of them could have something to offer Ireland going forward, and offer something unique versus their competition; TOB’s outright pace, and Ahern’s pace and height+lineout ability, in a team that can lack pace out wide, and has had lineout issues.

Apologies posted on wrong group

of course he is in the running for Ireland that’s crazy. In Lions year he is up there as a front runner I would say. Skill levels & pace absurd , hopefully he keeps his fitness but definitely seems to be improving his reslience