Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

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

The beauty of this post is that it could be applied to either TOB or Ahern. I hope they both feature - and think they will - this Summer.

Lol classic eagleeye. Make a statement as if it's fact, get called out on it immediately and then ignore it as if it never happened.

You'd imagine if Izzy is to have any international career, it will be at 6.

I find him appalling. His speech pattern and manner of delivery make me shudder. I would have him as an example of how not to deliver a lecture.

His style is appropriate to the moment; non sequiturs, in jokes, rat tat tat delivery, ADD, mild speech disorder, brainiac. Not for everyone but its almost the default vernacular of social media.

I see.

Fashion over style. One of those lasts the other fades.