Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

Which would include Wycherley ahead of Kleyn and Dan Kelly,ahead of Nankivell. Na, I don't buy it tbh. I think the best you could say is he picked on form. (And even then, I'd dispute Kelly ahead of Nankivell).

But it is a real shame Gleeson has broken his arm.

And to add to this, we also know that being camped on 5m line, and being held up over the line is something that Ireland have struggled with.

Add to this a change in style last season, where we kicked the ball more frequently, had fewer phases, fewer rucks, and suddenly he looks a far better fit than with the attacking shape we had under Mike Catt, for example.

I posted this back in April and my opinion hasn't changed substantially tbh:

The argument against Coombes for Ireland was that he wasn't quick enough or linked the play well enough to play Ireland's high-tempo, high number of ruck, possession-based game.

Ireland are now transitioning to a game, with fewer rucks, fewer phases, fewer passes per phases, where we kick earlier and more frequently. We've also looked under-powered at times culminating in being held up over the line a high number of times during the 6N. Couple this with POM retiring and Baird not really taking his chances, and Coombes has to start seeing more game time for Ireland, imo.

It'd be a mistake to continue to overlook him.

Farrell is a brilliant coach and motivator so we're hoping he can coax the best out of this squad again. Selection has always been one of his strong points too. He'll have them ready for Chicago.

But on the face of it, things aren't as good as they could be. A lot of Leinster players look quite unprepared for the start of the new season. Going into a test window off the back of one club game isn't ideal. Especially one where you were firmly second best technically and in the collisions.

Although it seems that the ref/TMO got the wrong player.

There is a thread on Reddit and a few not sure A I thought it was JOD. Whatever happened was cynical - whether Coombes or JOD but Ryan should have been (at least) penalized for a croc roll.

They also beat South Africa in white last week which should provide some confidence!

Great game last night and delighted with Munster win. I really do think they made a statement to Irish rugby. Please for the interest of the national team can management pick from players playing at this level. If you are third choice for Leinster the expectation should be you need to move away AND become first choice to play for Ireland. It will be better for the national team and encourage competition/ambition etc

Since this game involves the Ireland squad missing a round of the URC (including an interpro), giving the provinces a few days’ notice of who’s called up would be very unfair.

Id like to think there will be a few more call ups after the weekend. Let's face it there should be.

Yeah but you also want a basic level of working relationship between the two.

Either way, the squad assembles tomorrow for a flight on Tuesday, they had to name it last week.

And I agree. But the broader point being, just cos Farrell picks him doesn’t de facto mean it’s the right decision / he’s picked the better player etc.

Nor does it mean mistakes haven't been made in the past.