Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

Very good, everybody wins.

Jesus but if Edogbo didn't have bad luck he'd have no luck.

Fairly puts this into perspective…

Aki and Henshaw aren’t keeping Tom Farrell out of the national squad. That’s a common misconception here; if the first two got hit by a bus tomorrow, Farrell still wouldn’t be going to Chicago on Tuesday.

Absolutely delighted for Farrell, but gutted for Edogbo, Gleeson and Hansen.

Start of 2023 6 Nations, where we beat both Wales and France. McCloskey was very good, especially defensively, iirc.

Looked world class at 15 versus SA last year.

I don't know about Forde, but Hugh Cooney was called up so the coaches could get a better look at him. I've been impressed by him whenever he's had the chance to play for Leinster. Has a good outside break and hits hard in the tackle. He's also very fast which is something I think most Ireland centres aren't.

Agreed with all of this tbh.

The broader benefit to a selection like this (and TRC said as much in the previous page) is that there has to be some kind of recognition for provincial form, and that provincial players feel there is a pathway for them from province to the Ireland team.

You'd be hard push to argue Farrell doesn't desevere this, even if it did take an injury to Henshaw and Aki. I wouldn't wish injury on anyone, but hopefully if we so unfortunately suffer some in the coming weeks (which is always likely) we'll see a few more calls of this nature.

Didn't see this comment when I made mine, I'm of the same view. That game at 15 in South Africa was very encouraging but it's such a small sample size still. Very hard for players to break into the Irish team

You're right about Osborne. Played 13 for Leinster in our URC QF and SF victories and was pretty good too. Also started at 13 for Ireland against Georgia and for the Lions.

It's clear that the coaches also view him as well able to cover outside centre at a high level. We just really need him to nail down a permanent position.

Personally see Osborne as the long-term 12. You'd have to think he's most likely to start at FB in Keenan's absence, but personally I'd be a lot happier if he was being bedded in at 12 now tbh.

I suspect he's probably not an option to start on the wing going forward; narrowing his selection like that might mean more gametime for him at centre at least.

I agree with you about 12 being the position for Osborne long term. He's a good passer, line runner and offloader. His ability to pop out a pass whilst being tackled is something I'd love to see Leinster make more use of.

I'm not sure he fits the mould of inside centre that Farrell and Cullen want though. Aki, Henshaw and McCloskey can bend a defensive line with a direct carry. Osborne isn't as powerful a carrier.

He'd want to be playing v Zebre, as good and all as Doris is it's a tall order to come back after nearly 6 months out of the game straight into a grudge match v NZ.