Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

eagle eye · 16-06-2025 01:11AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123547990#Comment_123547990

The whole world outside of you and a couple of others on boards.ie say he is a lock.

Are you saying everybody else bar you and a couple of others on here are wrong?

P.Walnuts · 16-06-2025 08:10AM

This is painful

Former Former Former · 16-06-2025 09:38AM

We are very thin on dedicated second rows in this squad, Darragh Murray is the only one who doesn't split his time between SR and BR, so there's a good chance that we'll see Baird used there at some point on this tour.

For me, he's now a back row who can cover the second row rather than vice versa. He's in pole position to claim the 6 jersey if he can a) stay fit and b) maintain consistency, both of which he has struggled with up to now.

Podge_irl · 16-06-2025 09:39AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123548008#Comment_123548008

A few people on boards.ie and the coaches who overwhelmingly select him in the backrow that is. But you can apparently, with a straight face, declare he is not actually a 6 despite starting >80% of his games there in the last 3 years so there isn't much point arguing this with you.

Podge_irl · 16-06-2025 09:40AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123547911#Comment_123547911

They play different positions? Coombes is presumably competing with Deegan for the starting 8 position.

aloooof · 16-06-2025 10:18AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123548008#Comment_123548008

Let say yes and move on…

Anyone reckon Craig Casey will be pushing JGP by the time the AI's come around? Huge honour for him to get the captaincy and deserved imo. Or anyone got thoughts on back-up of the starting front-row vs Georgia? Do we think everyone is likely to see game time? Back-3 also an interesting one, lots of potential combinations there.

Podge_irl · 16-06-2025 10:21AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123548466#Comment_123548466

I doubt it by the AIs as I just don't think there is enough gametime for him - and he doesn't get the benefit of playing for the actual Irish coaches this summer.

JGP is absolutely off his best form though, so if he doesn't pick it up a bit (and at his age he might not) then I think its certainly open for the 6N.

eagle eye · 16-06-2025 11:06AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123548347#Comment_123548347

He's played at 6 since Doris got injured and played very well in the last couple of games. Before then this season he played two games at 6 and two at lock for Leinster.

The whole world knows he can play at 6 and is a well known hybrid player. I'm not arguing that he can't play both positions.

What I'm saying is that he's seen first and foremost as a second rower.

If Leinster had injuries both in the back row and second row he'd be starting in the second row. Do you disagree with that?

OldRio · 16-06-2025 11:25AM

Good grief. Stop digging.

salmocab · 16-06-2025 11:30AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123548693#Comment_123548693

Or at least dig up

aloooof · 16-06-2025 02:24PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123548474#Comment_123548474

But we seem to have gone from previously, typically 3 AI's to 4 now again this Autumn (albeit 1 in Soldier Field). I think there's scope where Casey could very reasonably start vs Japan plus one other tier 1 Test.

On the evidence of his form this season (and he was desperately unlucky with the timing on his injury around the 6 Nations) I'd love to see it happen.

Podge_irl · 16-06-2025 02:39PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123549381#Comment_123549381

Oh he'll start a game or two for sure. I suppose the question is whether it is "just" Japan or also one of the others. The fixtures fall well for him in that if he does well against Japan (/JGP is not amazing vs NZ) then he has two opportunities after that to start a Tier 1 match.

salmocab · 16-06-2025 02:48PM

I’d like to see Casey get at least a couple of starts in autumn. 2 years from a WC it’s time to wonder whether JGP is realistically going to be there, happy for him to be slowly moved on if not.
really though it’s 3/4 choice that will be interesting there’s a sort of glut of players just behind with at least one and possibly 2 likely to make the WC and it’s very hard at this stage to know which horse to back there.

For Petes Sake · 16-06-2025 03:05PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123549498#Comment_123549498

I would also like to see Casey get a couple of starts. JGP had a poor end to the season by his standards and if that continues to the start of next season then Casey should get a go.

salmocab · 16-06-2025 04:30PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123549597#Comment_123549597

I wouldn’t have much worry about his form, he’s still a better option than Casey even if his form has or is dropping but I’d be having an eye on the WC.

aloooof · 16-06-2025 04:33PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123549957#Comment_123549957

I think that gap is closing tbh in general anyways, but but personally, based on this season, I'd have an in-form Casey ahead of an out-of-form JGP all day long.

Podge_irl · 16-06-2025 04:38PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123549969#Comment_123549969

I'd still have JGP ahead, but at his age a drop in form could be temporary or an indication of a precipitous fall incoming.

salmocab · 16-06-2025 05:10PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123549969#Comment_123549969

nah he’s still playing better than Casey but as I said eye on the future I’d start transitioning to Casey. Interested in who’s next in line as two years is enough time for someone to push for the shirt ahead of him but they’d need to get motoring from the start of next season and it’s not obvious yet who the next cab off the rank is.

eagle eye · 16-06-2025 07:17PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123550104#Comment_123550104

Well I'd be hoping it'll be Matthew Devine from Connacht. He looks very promising. Just coming into the senior squad now, he's 23.

Ben Murphy is there as well and playing well but I think Devine will be better than him.

Hopefully Blade moves on as he's only in the way of those two developing.

El_Duderino 09 · 16-06-2025 08:51PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123545931#Comment_123545931

Seeing Clarkson the last few weeks has made me think Furlong needs to prove himself when he gets back. What are the chances Clarkson should be the started with Furlong playing 30 at the end?

Former Former Former · 16-06-2025 09:41PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123550883#Comment_123550883

Sort of overlooks Bealham, but I think a fit Furlong will always come straight back in ahead of either

El_Duderino 09 · 16-06-2025 10:32PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123551107#Comment_123551107

Oh, I'm certain Furlong will come in ahead of both based on reputation. I'm wondering which is better based on form when Furlong returns

ersatz · 17-06-2025 07:12PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123550575#Comment_123550575

Doak is the next 9 off the rank according to Summer tour selection. If the past few years are anything to go by there will be caps for at least 3 nines between now and the next wc.

Clegg · 19-06-2025 12:30PM

Few changes to the Ireland camp. James McNabney has torn his ACL and will be out for the foreseeable future. Brian Gleeson comes in to replace him.

Diarmuid Kilgallen comes in for Calvin Nash who has an ankle injury. Evan O'Connell has been called up too.

https://twitter.com/IrishRugby/status/1935655976734003602?t=LRHVSm7scYDfqhcVLB8eaw&s=09

leakyboots · 19-06-2025 02:28PM

Shame for McNabney. While Munster marshalled him well recently he's an exciting prospect.

Will be good experience for Gleeson (and O'Connell who looks like a good bit of stuff) to be around the camp.

Good chance for Kilgallon to put down a marker, he's caught the eye when fit

ionadnapóca · 26-06-2025 10:26AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123560818#Comment_123560818

Who'd win in a race (40 yard dash) Kilgallen v TOB v Stockdale v Nash.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZwPW3ngBXQ

1.TOB 2. Kilgallen 3. Nash 4. Stockdale?

Any word if these games will be on TV or IRFU website?

RichieRich_89 · 27-06-2025 01:32PM

Josh Murphy called up to cover for Thomas Ahern: https://www.irishrugby.ie/2025/06/27/josh-murphy-links-up-with-ireland-squad/

It's interesting it's Murphy instead of some others who got call ups to wider squads or the EI and 'A' panels over the past year.

EI squad: O'Tighearnaigh, Sheridan, Soroka

A squad: O'Tighearnaigh, Soroka, Wycherley

Ireland 6N squad: Mangan

Maybe Colm Tucker advocated strongly for Murphy.

I'm glad he's in anyway. I always rated him. Hopefully he can impress enough to earn future call ups.

Podge_irl · 27-06-2025 02:03PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123584045#Comment_123584045

At this time of year there is probably an element of "who is available and in the country". It is only for training after all, he's not travelling to Georgia.

ionadnapóca · 27-06-2025 04:38PM

Humphreys has also rowed back on one of his big policies he announced last summer, that non-Irish qualified front rows would not be sanctioned for the foreseeable future.

The policy was in response to the lack of front row talent being developed for the senior national side, although he has since allowed Leinster re-sign France veteran Rabah Slimani, and sanctioned Ulster's signing of Australia star Angus Bell (above).

"It was a very deliberate strategy. We were all aware about where our front-row depth was coming from and at the time I firmly believed, that as things stood at that time 12 months ago, we needed to do something different.

"What that statement did was encourage conversations with us, with the provinces: 'How are we going to make sure that we can get more players into the system?' So, you’ll have seen some players move between provinces. That’s what we wanted.

"You’ll have seen a number of players get game time, in discussions with the provinces, and you’ve seen the acceleration of Boyle and Clarkson. They’ve come through very quickly because they’ve been playing.

"So, it’s this conversation; if we can get those young players playing, they will get better. But I also think part of working in high performance there has to be flexibility.

"You can take a position, but as things change, as they do on a week to week basis and on a month to month basis, you have to be flexible and go: ‘Do you know what, 12 months ago that’s what I genuinely believed.’ Now, because of what we’ve seen happen within the provinces; player movement, player game time and the development of some of these young players, I am much less concerned about us not having any depth."

https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0626/1520527-provincial-struggles-just-a-blip-humphreys/

Boyle and Clarkson (in particular) were already on the radar when stated his/irfu policy.

Got me thinking about depth and yes 2027 RWC!

LH

Andrew Porter [29, 2027]

Jack Boyle [23, 2026?]

Eric O’Sullivan [29, 2027]

Michael Milne [26, 2027]

Jeremy Loughman [30, 2026]
Josh Wycherley* [25, 2027]

Paddy McCarthy* [22, 2026]

TH

Tadhg Furlong [32, 2027]

Finlay Bealham [33, 2026]

Thomas Clarkson [25, 2026?]

Tom O'Toole [26, 2027]

Oli Jager [30, 2027]

Scott Wilson* [22, 2027?]

Jack Aungier* [26, 2026]

https://www.the42.ie/humphreys-front-row-6432558-Jul2024/

Going back to 1987 RWC I think there has only been 4 props who were 'Bolter' types that made the RWC squad e.g. didn't even tour that previous summer.

1.2015 Furlong 2015 (22 years of age - '15 warm-up 'Caps')

2.2015 White 2015 (34 years of age - Residency)

3.2003 Simon Best (25 years of age - 1st Cap '03 v Tonga Tour)

4.1999 Angus McKeen (30 years of age - 1st Cap '99 v Romania RWC)

2027 RWC: Andrew Porter (31), Jack Boyle (25), Tom O'Toole (28/29), Finlay Bealham? (35/36)
, Tadhg Furlong? (34/35), Thomas Clarkson (27).

I think Its unlikely that Furlong and Bealham will make the RWC.

2026 Summer Tour to Fiji, Samoa & Tonga (TBC!)

Is there anyone I'm missing who legitimately could be considered a 'bolter' for 2027 RWC? Particularly at tighthead.

And anyone know what's the story with Usanov? He did well as a late call up for EI tour.

edit: Usanov on bench for U20s

https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0627/1520695-doak-named-ireland-team-for-for-u20-championship-opener/

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058370480/emerging-ireland-liteace-tour-ii-24-v-pumas-oct2-3pm-v-westforce-oct6-12pm-v-cheetahs-oct9-12pm/p1

Mr Tickle · 27-06-2025 04:47PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123584810#Comment_123584810

Jack Aungier has come on a long way. Not sure he's going to surprise everyone and be a game changer for Ireland, but he could end up as a legitimate option depending on how Bealham and Furlong get on in terms of fitness.

Edit: Just read it again and realised that you already have him there.

Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

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