Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

Which is fine. The broader point I'm making is that it's oft-repeated on here that Farrell sees them in training / Farrell knows more than us etc. The undertone being we shouldn't question his decisions.

Boards is probably the only place I've come across this notion. I honestly don't think I've ever encountered that attitude in, say, GAA or soccer, say.

They’re unconnected though. Henshaw’s apparent decline does not make Farrell one day younger.

With Aki going to be 37, Henshaw 34, McCloskey 35 and even Ringrose going to be 32 at the RWC, we just can’t look to a guy who’ll also be 34 for the answer.

It’s cruel because Farrell is a quality player but just unfortunate to have been born the year he was.

I think we could be in for a bit of a reality check against NZ, SA and quite possible Aus. The team has quite clearly been in decline performance wise for the last year and while we’ve still been winning most games, which has somewhat papered over the cracks, France brutally exposed us in the 6N and what Munster did to the bulk of the Ireland team last night is very worrying.

There should have been a steady evolution of the team post RWC ‘23, but Farrell opted to stick with the same guys and try to eke out every last result from them. But we’ve seen over the last year that this team is over the hill and needs new blood. But with the latest squad announcement he’s once again failed to do this. I think we all know where this is heading. You look at France, England, NZ and SA and see them brining in new guys, refreshing their squad and building depth, but Farrell is simply refusing to do this. I desperately want us to get past the quarters in 2027 but I just can’t see it happening the way we’re doing things.

SA used 47 players in the Rugby Championship. They absolutely are building depth. Could you ever see us doing that in a 6N? Not a chance.

The Irish Rugby squad is a closed shop. Harder to get out of than it is to get into. Munster made an absolute mockery of Farrell’s selections last night.

It would be a lovely story but giving a player a first cap at the age of 32 would generally be met with outrage on here.

Ahh now. 'Outrage on here'

There's always outrage on here. Hardly the barometer is it?

Ha, touché sir.

Munster were a group of 23 all fully dialled in with Crowley & Beirne leading from the front with passion and precision. Leinster were disjointed and didn’t turn up at the collision front. Ireland will be more Munster than Leinster when it comes to Autumn despite the numbers and I suspect Beirne & Crowley will once again lead

what should happen is they both start 2 games each regardless of how they go

I have no problem with Pendergast starting New Zealand and South Africa and Crowley Australia and Japan.

Same across the squad. Farrell must rotate. I would like to see him try things even our own version of the bomb squad against South Africa.

I think you're right and Farrell will do something along those lines.

Early days but his kicking %’s off the tee this season have improved on last.

I actually think the penalty last night to go 17 ahead was the winning of the game. Before that I was always wary as Leinster are capable of putting 14+ points on you inside 15 mins, but that pushed it out to a 3 score game.

It wasn’t the easiest kick either and he nailed it.

His footwork as well was excellent last night, but it was his decision making and kicking from hand that were the highlight.

I think the issue there is that place kicking is a much easier fix than issues like a player's baseline agility or their willingness to tackle. That's not to say Prendergast won't improve, he's still young, but I don't ever see him being a real attacking threat on the line or a lad who monsters an opposition centre. He's actually a lot closer to O'Gara in style than any other fly half we've had since and if he ends up anywhere close to him that's great but this season is very important for him you imagine.