Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

VdF has been well off his best with 12 months. He was outplayed by Curry and Jac Morgan in the 6N and couldn't displace either on the Lions tour.

He worked hard yesterday but couldn't make any meaningful impact on the game, aside from 1 turnover. His rucking for the Crowley holding on penalty was hopeless and he was caught totally flat footed by their 9 for the final try. I worry about what Fraser McReight will do to our ruck ball in 2 weeks time. VdF has never gone well agaisnt him.

For me, him and Ringrose are a big worry. 2 very important players who have been out of form for an extended period.

Actually I just had to remind myself.

England's opposite number didn't outplay Van Der Flier that day, and this is not the first time this has been pointed out.

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VDF is not a problem. They are a few that are but just no

Tom Farrell, the inaugural United Rugby Championship Playmaker of the Year  for the 2024/25 season, rolls his eyes.

I don’t think you can blame the management for Crowley’s performance last night down to being dropped last year. He came into the game in great form unlike last year. It’s up to him to take his opportunity and he’s struggled to do that last night and on other occasions since he broke into the team.

Consistency seems an issue with him. When he’s good, he’s very good but he’s prone to errors at this level especially from the boot. He had a lovely offload last night which shows what he can do with ball in hand. Hopefully he can iron these errors out and put in big performances against Australia and SA as I think he needs it if he wants to keep his place going into the 6N as you’d have to assume Prendergast will improve before then. Definitely a weak area for us at the moment but both players should improve in the following 2 years with experience.

That's one hell of an accusation to make for a 'I reckon'

Which part?

I'd go for pretty much the same team. I'd probably have Bealham ahead of Furlong for the Japan game, Furlong will be expected to play a lot of minutes in the subsequent two games so taking it easy next weekend would be good for him. Also, it means Bealham is better prepared if Furlong goes down early in either of the other two games. Kelleher probably should start against Japan for the same reasons.

Crowley should be told that he's getting a rest next week but will be starting for the other two games. He needs to be backed, he seems like the kind of guy who will respond well and rise to the challenge.

We clearly need new blood at 12, that has to be Osborne. McCloskey did well yesterday but we need to be looking to the WC. Aki and Henshaw should be put out to pasture. Osborne playing 15 again would be a waste of time, he won't be playing there when Keenan is available. Osborne should be our starting 12 for the 6N and that process has to start next week - I don't care if that means playing Henderson at 15.

We obviously need to transition away from Ringrose at 13 too but there are no other options in the squad currently. That's a corner AF has painted himself into unfortunately. Tom Farrell, while a very good player in excellent form but he isn't the answer. James Hume needs to be seriously looked at, pity it isn't happening now.

'I reckon' part.

Well ok. I do think he was. Look back at that hit. There is no way he didn’t shake his own brain. It’s just different levels of concussion.

He was absolutely miles off when shooting out later. That’s really not like him

I think Osborne is a fine player. The question many will ask is why should he be selected in the centre by Ireland if Leinster don’t select him there? I don’t think the current set up in Leinster is helping Ireland nor the elite and highly talented Irish qualified players in the Ireland squad.