Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Author courts controversial view point to sell book. That could be another take.

Coiuld be.

What's crucial is that we make up our minds about it now, before anyone's so much as read a page. That's the important thing.

Sheahan with a 3 match ban for a dangerous clearout reduced from 4 weeks. I dont think Sheahan has ever had a ban before

Does Brendan Fanning think the Leinster schools are going to suddenly stop producing high class players. I have news for him they are getting better every year. The Leinster clubs are also upping their game and rugby is thriving. I can''t comment on the other provinces but believe there is a lot of investment going on.

Moaning about the Leinster school system is hardly a sign of 'deep thinkers' - it is a lazy trope at this stage. It isn't some fresh concept, it gets regurgitated multiple times a year.

The Leinster school system is what is keeping Irish rugby alive, yet people twist themselves in complete knots trying to find a way for it to seem like a bad thing.

It is akin to the anti-vax movement at this stage. I don't need to read the latest anti-vax book to know it belongs in a bin.

What would be much more interesting is digging in on how much money has been squandered across the other provinces to have such poor return on investment from the IRFU - at underage and professional. Digging into the blazers who oversaw such farcical situations and what can be learned from them going forward. That would however take some level of journalism so easier to take the path of least resistance, the tried and trusted click bait moan about Leinster.