Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

AbusesToilets · 30-10-2025 12:45AM

Aki over McCloskey would be a mistake, Henshaw on the bench would be an even worse one.

darkened_scrum · 30-10-2025 08:56AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123947478#Comment_123947478

I really don't have a good feeling about this. Too many guys lacking form and gametime.

johnh6767 · 30-10-2025 09:31AM

I watched clips of Ireland v SA in the last World Cup and the pace from the key playmakers in passing , running and decision making just looks very different to today. 2 years ago they were at their pinnacle and today it’s hard not to feel that they are not post peak. Still great players. But post peak and 2 years down the line is quite worrying. Hopefully the introduction of the younger players will help bridge the gap

El_Duderino 09 · 30-10-2025 09:54AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123947563#Comment_123947563

Yeah fair enough. If connacht don't want him then it's not a runner.

I haven't watched any French rugby so don't know how he's playing.

aloooof · 30-10-2025 10:29AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123947900#Comment_123947900

Even if you go back a further 2 years to the AI's where we beat NZ 29-20, the starting 15 was as follows (it was mentioned on some podcast during the week, I forget which one):

Porter
Kelleher
Furlong
Henderson
Ryan
Doris
VdF
Conan
JGP
Sexton
Lowe
Aki
Ringrose
Conway
Keenan

The likelihood is we'll see a very similar looking team announced for this weekend, so it is hard not to think this team are post-peak and in need for some new blood, imo.

Podge_irl · 30-10-2025 10:33AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123947563#Comment_123947563

He had well over 1000 minutes for Bordeaux last season and was in the matchday squad for pretty much all their most important games.

I think Connacht would be mad not to go for him to be honest. Doesn't need to come in as the presumptive starter or anything, but he is still a decent quality player who can cover multiple positions. Great bench option.

ionadnapóca · 30-10-2025 10:52AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123947938#Comment_123947938

Cant say I watch allot of French rugby myself but the demise of Joey Carbery to my mind was (and has since been) exaggerated before Farrell jettisoned him from the 2023 6N squad.

It was an error of judgement because he effectively chose Ross Byrne as his replacement.

Ross who wasnt even in the 2022 AI squad until the last game v Australia. He played 6 mins and brilliantly nailed a pen to win the game. Thats what basically got him ahead of Carbery.

It wasnt that Carbery was playing badly at all. In fact, I thought he was really impressing again that season.

For Connacht supporters to think they couldn't benefit from Carbery is a little ridiculous. They desperately need a place kicker and having watched the Munster game they desperately need someone who can kick for territory (even a little!).

Carbery is just turning 30. Connacht and Irish rugby would be better for having him playing in the country.

The third choice RWC Outhalf position is very much up for grabs.

Clegg · 30-10-2025 02:00PM

Team is named. McCloskey actually is starting. Probably our strongest available. We'll see how it goes.

Huge day for Paddy McCarthy as well. Shot up the ranks so quickly, but there's a gap in the squad now Healy is retired. Nice to see a young player get there fast.

https://twitter.com/IrishRugby/status/1983881275640574051?t=i_msBWjrh72arPL_YPbdAA&s=09

ionadnapóca · 30-10-2025 02:04PM

15. Jamie Osborne (Naas/Leinster)(8)
14. Tommy O’Brien (UCD/Leinster)(2)
13. Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster)(67)
12. Stuart McCloskey (Bangor/Ulster)(21)
11. James Lowe (Leinster)(40)
10. Jack Crowley (Cork Constitution/Munster)(26)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster)(43)

1. Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster)(75)
2. Dan Sheehan (Lansdowne/Leinster)(32)(captain)
3. Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster)(79)
4. James Ryan (UCD/Leinster)(72)
5. Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Munster)(61)
6. Ryan Baird (Dublin University/Leinster)(29)
7. Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster)(73)
8. Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)(51)

Replacements:

16. Ronan Kelleher (Lansdowne/Leinster)(39)
17. Paddy McCarthy (Dublin University/Leinster)*
18. Finlay Bealham (Corinthians/Connacht)(51)
19. Iain Henderson (Academy/Ulster)(85)
20. Caelan Doris (St Mary’s College/Leinster)(51)
21. Craig Casey (Shannon/Munster)(20)
22. Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne/Leinster)(9)
23. Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht)(65).

* denotes uncapped

Big boost for McCloskey to leapfrog both Bundee and Henshaw (prob injured)

Paddy McC another to leapfrog.

Would have picked Clarkson over Beahlam.

FtD v2 · 30-10-2025 02:07PM

I quite like the side tbh, but feel we're too lacking match sharpness to push the All Blacks this Saturday.

Great to see Paddy McCarthy up there - exciting chance for him to kick on now.

Podge_irl · 30-10-2025 02:09PM

Not much to argue about there.

CONSI · 30-10-2025 02:13PM

Limited cover and pace on the bench if any problems on the wing or at FB. Not sure what Henderson brings off the bench.

AbusesToilets · 30-10-2025 02:14PM

Solid team. Wish we had some better options for bench 2nd row. Have to hope Henderson can bring some of his recent form to bear.

Good video, lads need to draw on some pain to raise the intensity. We were far too flat last year.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eVigBXWSBLk&t=3s&pp=2AEDkAIB0gcJCR4Bo7VqN5tD

ionadnapóca · 30-10-2025 02:17PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123948677#Comment_123948677

He brings a guaranteed penalty.

FtD v2 · 30-10-2025 02:17PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123948677#Comment_123948677

An injury in the back three would probably necessitate Crowley moving back to 15 I think.

Same if Ringrose gets hurt - I'd rather see Osborne go to thirteen that go with a centre combo of McCloskey-Aki.

bingobango12 · 30-10-2025 02:20PM

Nothing really to moan about there in my opinion. Crowley the right call on how both have started the season. Glad to see McCloskey involved ahead of Henshaw. Aki will bring impact off the bench. Bar TOB that a slow team. Need to try unearth some speedsters from somewhere.

P.Walnuts · 30-10-2025 02:26PM

As good a team as we could have hoped imo

OldRio · 30-10-2025 02:33PM

Happy with that team to be honest but first game for Ireland in an age.

Clegg · 30-10-2025 02:36PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123948697#Comment_123948697

We have a few speedy players on the fringes. Shayne Bolton, Diarmuid Kilgallen and Robert Baloucoune look the most likely to come in next. I don't think any are better than the incumbents, but they'll get there eventually.

I'm 50/50 on Lowe making it to the next World Cup. He's 33, but still one of our most important players for how we want to attack and how we want to exit. If his body holds up a few more years then fine. Don't think any of the other options can come close to his all round game.

Stockdale could always be a goer too.

aloooof · 30-10-2025 02:40PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123948691#Comment_123948691

There are a few options imo.

If Osborne got injured, I’d imagine it’s most likely Crowley to FB with Prendergast coming on alright.

But if one of the wingers got injured, rather than Osborne going there, I’d rather Casey comes on and put JGP to the wing (I think Osborne lacks the speed for the wing).

Another option (which I wouldn’t be keen on) is Aki to 13 and Ringrose on the wing.

ionadnapóca · 30-10-2025 02:48PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123948682#Comment_123948682

Sorry but I cant bring myself to watch that. Cuts too deep. The lackluster nature of the performance last year was really irritating.

What I hope to see at the very least is ALLOT of intensity. Particularly from the start and taking the bloody points when they are on offer.

No matter how this game goes I also hope Farrell sticks with Crowley now for Aus and SA. A confidence boosting performance from Prendergast off the bench would be a bonus.

Fingers crossed Ireland are still in the game when Casey comes off the bench. Very interested to see how he plays.

AbusesToilets · 30-10-2025 02:49PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123948740#Comment_123948740

I'd be surprised if Lowe is still the 1st choice by then, think it would be a bad sign if he is still getting selected. Wing is the one position where a high turnover is warranted

aloooof · 30-10-2025 03:05PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123948764#Comment_123948764

The worry is, we're going into this game with even less gametime than we had last year, and we looked a little undercooked even then.

It might just be my innate fear of NZ that I may never shake regardless of how well we do against them, or how many times we beat them, but I'm a little fearful of this one….

darkened_scrum · 30-10-2025 03:24PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123948697#Comment_123948697

Agree with this. Didn't expect McCloskey at all but glad he's starting, he deserves it.

50HX · 30-10-2025 03:24PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123948058#Comment_123948058

Ross Byrne had played double the minutes JC had in that season incl CC knockout up to semi final.

Carbery's issue is he can't stay fit...watching him as a munster fan his form was anything but consistent, get a run of games & then bang injury again

In my book there are already 3 out & out 10's for the Ire jersey & i wouldnt be ruling out Harry Byrne yet, either have a dip in form/injury & he's nxt up. If Carbery was currently eligible id still take Frawley over him

ionadnapóca · 30-10-2025 03:27PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123948818#Comment_123948818

Yep thats just the reality. Lack of game time.

Should be no excuse not to to come out swinging. Rucks. Mauls. Scrums. 'IN your face stuff'.

Not expecting them to come out and play NZ off the pitch. Probably game planing for a kick-for-territory (sensibly!) and big pressure kick chase approach.

I would like to see a few good old fashioned Garryowens for this game. Launch TOB and Osborne as the chasers; If you regather the ball - smash it up the guts; If you dont - smash them in the guts.

conquestscarer · 30-10-2025 03:27PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123948764#Comment_123948764

We picked the right captain if we want to "go for points" anyway. Sheehan went for posts every time it was on offer against Wales in the six nations.

Former Former Former · 30-10-2025 03:32PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123948658#Comment_123948658

I agree, but that's a function of the IRFU scheduling this match so early in the season immediately following a Lions tour, they knew this was coming and there isn't really any changes we could have made now to mitigate it.

I had a feeling this was coming for McCarthy, amazing progression.

aloooof · 30-10-2025 03:36PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123948891#Comment_123948891

It'll be interesting to see what kick approach we go with and how we fare.

Osborne wasn't particularly good in the air vs Munster, so I think we'll really miss Keenan there. With regards kick-chase, we don't really have that out-and-out pace on the wings to pressure really early; we'll need TOB switched on for it.

ionadnapóca · 30-10-2025 03:37PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123948893#Comment_123948893

True. Ringrose did get the 20min RC. Maybe that also played into his decisions? I cant quite remeber how the pens played out.

If Ireland are playing against 14 I can see the logic in going for into corner. Playing against 15 I hope they will take the option of the kick allot more frequently than they did when Sexton was captain.

Good captains that are forwards (like POC) will opt for the kick at goal more frequently than an outhalf who is captain.

Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

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