Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

I know what your saying but usually young three-quarters are moved from 'out-to-in'.

e.g. D'Arcy or Umaga

D'Orce started at FB but couldn't kick - Moved to Wing but wasn't fast enough- Ella moved him to Centre.

Umaga was a relatively late convert from Wing to Centre.

That's primarily because they didn't have enough 'nous' to play Centre at a young age but had the pace to cover the field as a winger.

Leinster/Ireland are NOW doing the opposite with Osborne! He WAS an established Centre. Primarily At 12.

I used the Frawley example because they've done the same to him. (he'd established himself as a 12 -just not better than Henshaw- after starting off as a 10)

Frawley was never a "Utility back". He's not an Outhalf. He's certainly not a FB. He's a 12. Its taken Leinster AND Ireland the last 3 seasons of mucking about to arrive at the obvious.

\And I don't think they're even finished with poor old Frawley. He's been chopped and changed so much that Its got to the stage that catching the ball for him is an achievement. Confidence is shattered.

Utility backs are rare. And are as rare as hens teeth at international level.

Who is the last "utility back" that played for Ireland? It shouldn't have been Frawley and I hope they aren't going to spend the next 3 seasons messing Osborne about before they realise its not him either.

I thought it was incredibly odd that Farrell threw him in at FB v SA. Yet he did do remarkably well!

Which brings me back to my initial Qs. Who's is the alternative to Keenan?

…….Clearly Osborne!

Yet I hope he plays 12 in Summer tour and Nov Int!

Always liked JOB as a FB. Who are the young lads?

I fear Frawley has been Paddy Wallace'd. Messed around with out of his best position, and is looking the worse for it. We've been too wedded to the same 3 centres, and haven't given clearly talented lads like Osborne and Frawley game time, despite the poor performances of the incumbents.

Why is Barret being mentioned in an Ireland thread?

Jesus... ye've really lost the run of yerselves.

In the last twelve months he's been moved to the wing and full back a few times during games.

He's done that a fair bit over his career.

The writing is in the wall this season if you look at his club minutes v 23/24.

Don't see him going now that RB is leaving & Harry's loan move maybe we'll jump him ahead of Frawley

He's facing 28 yrs of age & would love to see him running the show out west or up north