O'Mahoney had been ldking a fine job off the bench. Then he had to start a couple of games in the Six nations and acquitted himself well.
He might have been aging but he did his job very well.
This year we were in a situation where there wasn't much depth in the back row. Baird has since went on tour and played great there and it looks like it's going to be his position moving forward. Beirne played second row in the Six nations but he may be moved back to 6 next year.
We have players coming through that weren't quite ready this year. I'd expect to see a complete overhaul at centre and 6. We'll see what happens with SGP, he's playing great but he's getting on. We have a nice bunch of promising players at SH. I don't think you'll see much of Conan, Aki, Henhaw and quite possibly Ringrose. I've a suspicion that Ringrose through his own choice or medical advice might never play again.
Hopefully Ryan and Ringrose recover well.
Players like JGP, Ryan, Ringrose, McCarthy and Furlong who had some questions about them over the past year looked fantastic during the lions tour.
If they stay the same and players like prendergast, Crowley, TOB, Osborne continue to improve it could be a good 6 nations.
Actually really looking forward to next year's 6 nations. Don't think Wales will be in the same depressing state that they have been and there's currently a lot of amazing players across all the other northern hemisphere nations.
That's quite the leap about Ringrose no?
Quote didn't work for some reason..
@eagle eye
Well he pulled himself out from a Lions tour and it's went on lot longer than expected. It has to be very serious for the above to happen.
Ringrose has a history with concussion. He did the right thing, an incredible thing to do with the opportunity of a first Lions test start.
With all his previous concussions and not being right after three weeks he might just call it a day for his own safety and health.
I don’t think it’s appropriate to be speculating about a players health on an online forum.
Concussion can finish careers suddenly (see Payne in 2017), but don’t think it’s helpful to speculate like that. Johnny Sexton spoke about it in his book. Wishing both Ryan and Ringrose speedy full recoveries and confident they will be given the time necessary. IRFU have been proactive with this in the past with Doris.
From The 42
ANDY FARRELL’S IRELAND are set to visit Australia and New Zealand in the summer of 2026 for the opening window of the new Nations Cup.It’s understood that Ireland are in line to face the Wallabies and the All Blacks in July 2026, as well as playing Japan.The game against Eddie Jones’ Japan is expected to take place in either Australia or New Zealand, with Australia more likely given the huge Irish diaspora Down Under.
ANDY FARRELL’S IRELAND are set to visit Australia and New Zealand in the summer of 2026 for the opening window of the new Nations Cup.
It’s understood that Ireland are in line to face the Wallabies and the All Blacks in July 2026, as well as playing Japan.
The game against Eddie Jones’ Japan is expected to take place in either Australia or New Zealand, with Australia more likely given the huge Irish diaspora Down Under.
Hate the tournament shite, but that's a decent slate of games. Hopefully we'll have refreshed our squad ahead of the WC.
I'm not hoping it happens or anything like that. I've seen in the past a few times like what's went on with Ringrose.
And most of these have been rugby, all bar one were provincial players. It's ended in retirement with three of the five rugby players I knew. Two went on, one retired three years later after a couple more concussions, he was 33 then, the other went on until he was 37 with no issues.
Ringrose did the right thing and you can imagine how tough it must have been with a Lions start almost certain. The fact he was strong enough to do that makes me think he'll consider the long term over continuing to put his health at risk.
This is my take too; POM played well in the 6 Nations and certainly levels above what Healy was offering in open play at that point. I think the overall point is correct tho; the squad is definitely in need of freshening up now. We have had a big core of players who are all 30+ now and we’ll need to see some change come the AI’s imo.
He played well enough in the Scotland game but again lacks that big explosive impact that a 6 needs with his age and because we knew he was going new players should have been brought in sooner. Baird has been playing well at 6 because he's gotten a run there to build proficiency, what was happening before was he's playing lock, then next week sub lock, then notvinnthe squad followed by then being sub back row etc.
Healy we'll all agree was a joke no other serious tier 1 nation would be playing a 37 year old with that fform. Fact is Ireland is slow to change and teams have now figured out are patterns in defence and attack, we'll have to rejig the system anyway so better to do that with some fresh faster new faces that have not being scouted and analysed.
POM has never had explosive impact but is our highest capped backrow ever. Depending on the build elsewhere, it’s not completely vital for the position. Baird started the first game of the 6 Nations and didn’t really grasp the nettle - imo he was poor defensively that day and POM came back in. Come season’s end it looked like he was front of the queue to replace POM at 6, but Beirne’s performances now (and McCarthy’s too) muddy the water a bit. System-wise, I think we have seen a change last season to be fair. Much kick heavier, fewer rucks, fewer passes per ruck and less phase play in general. I definitely agree with the overall jist tho - I think we need to see the squad being freshened up (imo it should have happened more in the last Autumn International’s ). And if it is, it’ll be interesting to see it how goes while at the same time trying a different style. Feels like a big season for Ireland.
I think it's going to happen but not that quickly.
I expect to see Gavin and Osbourne at centre, Baird or Prendergast will fight for the bench at 6 if Beirne continues there, he played second row in the Six nations. You might see Izuchukwu get an opportunity in the second row if Beirne continues at 6. It's hard to see a change at tighthead yet because both Furlong and Bealham are still playing at such a high level and there's nobody close to them. I'd call that a position of concern moving forward.
Scrum half is another position. JGP is great but you've got Casey, Murphy and Devine who all look ready for the jump if the opportunity arises.
Wing is another position where we need to find someone to replace Lowe whose coming to the end of his career. I'm not sure which of the O'Briens is the one I like but I think it's Jimmy. We really need somebody young to break through for the long term. Somebody said there's a younger Osbourne that looks promising.
Not sure long term is ideal playing Beirne at 6, as he's not as mobile considering he's been conditioned for years to play second row and he's older and heavier. Again about Baird it's one game then dropped you can't improve younger players doing that, they need to be given a run to develop and the Autumn internationals is the time to do it. England started the 6 Nations poorly with new faces but improved and finished much stronger than Ireland and look to be a head and better of in the long term, Ireland look to have wasted the last 9 months with the same old retiring faces of Murray, Healy, O'Mahony not to mention Henshaws legs are gone, Aki now 35, Lowe 33 with a known arthritis condition.
Changes at international level will depend on the clubs, Leinster mainly, grasping the nettle and deliberately moving on from dead weight.
Cullen needs to be aggressive backing new blood in the backs particularly. 9, 11, 12 & 13 are positions that we have incumbents who are past it or on the precipice. I don't want to see Henshaw as the starting 12, and hope that Cooney or someone will get decent game time at 13. We need to find a viable replacement for Lowe. Gunne should be as many matchday 23s as possible.
The forwards are in a decent enough spot, outside of 7 perhaps
Just on the 9 position, I think we’ve better options in the other Provinces so even if Cullen moves on from McGrath on the bench, I don’t see it impacting Ireland selection significantly.
Casey had a brilliant season and was desperately unlucky with his injury around the 6 Nations. I think his recent captaincy shows his standing across the squad. Honestly think he could push JGP for a starting spot in the coming season.
If Baird can continue the form he showed at the end of last season and through the URC playoffs I’d expect him to make the 6 jersey his own, while we rotate Beirne, Ryan and McCarthy at lock.
Curious to see if TOB can step up and put pressure on Mack Hansen for the 14 shirt. Farrell loves Hansen and he brings a lot at his best, but TOB has a pretty rare skillset for an Irish winger.
Jack Boyle has a relatively loose grip on the 17 shirt for Ireland - but he’ll need a strong season to keep it. He should get plenty of chances with Porter rested, Healy retired and Milne moved on. A big chance for Milne this season to show he can challenge there.
I wouldn't be surprised if Casey surplants JGP by the end of the season, he's been in cracking form.
I think TOB will own the 14 jersey for as long as he's healthy. He's just class.
If Ryan, Mccarthy and Beirne are all fit, the temptation to play them all with Beirne at 6 will be very strong. Might not be the most forward looking selection but if we want to beat NZ in Chicago, it might not be the worst.
I don’t think TOB will displace Hansen but he’s already ahead of Nash and we might see Hansen move to the left when Lowe moves on, with TOB on the right. Lowe needs a big season to prove he’s still up to it.
Centre will be fascinating. At 35, there’s no way Aki will make the RWC and to me it looks like his legs are going. Henshaw has yet another injury to come back from, Ringrose is flying but now has this concussion issue hanging over him. Assuming Osborne is next off the rank, it would be good to see someone else get a run against Japan.
The main thing is, while we have some older guys in some positions, we have decent cover everywhere.
Aki and Henshaw were clearly past it this past season. Why does every Irish coach inevitably fall into the trap of keeping players on far too long? I hope Farrell doesn't continue to play Beirne at 6, it worked for the Lions but he's just a step down there from when he's at lock
Multiple Irish coaches have done it so it must be a directive from the auld blazers in IRFU HQ. If you're on a central contract they'll play till your legs are shot just so they've squeezed everything out of you even if your form is poor.
Might be forced to move Aki on but Henshaw will be played no doubt. This is what is holding Ireland back and reasons why we can't break the quater finals.
Then they’ll put in one good performance and everyone will go “oh look, we were right to keep playing them all along” and they’ll lock down the jersey for another year and we’ll continue to kick the can down the road
9 is going to be a key debate for sure. JGP has lots still to offer and writing him off prematurely is unwise. Casey is on form and next up is Gunne who I think will shine in coming season as a serious talent
Farrell (and Cullen) have been terrible for subbing JGP off in big games. McGrath for example has sat on the bench for the last 3 finals I think. We need options that are good enough to make for viable options to come on in crunch matches.
I heard Brendan Fanning on the radio yesterday he has a book coming out about the state of Irish rugby. In it he says going forward Irish Rugby is in trouble due to the neglect of the provinces by the Irfu. That Ireland are so dependant on Leinster is detrimental in the long run. Also its the Leinster School systems not the Leinster Academy that are responsible for the players that graduate to play for Leinster. according to him its the Fee paying schools that are keeping Leinster and Ireland rugby afloat.
Probably due to lack of contenders to replace an established player. In England or France there are many more club sides, and consequently that many more challengers for a national team shirt. And in NZ/Australia a certain percentage of players will look to cash in on their profile by moving to the Northern Hemisphere when they reach the final few seasons of their careers, meaning national team coaches have to look for fresh talent.
Edwin Edogbo is my hope for a big breakthrough, he's an absolute beast. But huge questions about fitness after (another) serious injury.
The provinces haven't been neglected so I've no idea what he's on about.
That's the kind of open-minded, questioning mindset that marks our Irish rugby fandom as really deep thinkers about the game.
"Read it and see what it says? No need. I know he's wrong."
Author courts controversial view point to sell book. That could be another take.
I'm in this camp.
