Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

Last week we had Aki on the bench, with presumably one of the starting centres moving out if cover was required.

Why couldn't a similar setup be done this week with Henshaw on the bench, and Osborne at 12.

We would get to see Osborne in his best position, with Jimmy getting additional experience.

If shuffling the backline was ok for NZ, then why would it be a disaster against Japan?

TBF - Connacht spotted him playing for Bedford, and got a lot of good years out of him. He seemed to be constantly injured while at Connacht.

Have to say I did not expect this team to be named and am pleasantly surprised.

That's the only selection that I could be picky about. Why not play JOB at 15 and Osborne at 12? Perhaps that would have been too disruptive as the whole back line from the previous game would be different then bar TOB.

Also pleased to see that we've picked an alternative to Henderson in the 19 jersey. Ryan Baird can cover lock so good to see Prendergast senior get some game time off the bench.

Suppose now it's up to the guys selected to change Farrell's mind.

Interesting angle, either way the coaches need to start nailing their colours to the mast on the alternative at 7. Either it's Nick T, or like you said you play Doris there now in these lesser games and someone else in the 8 jersey.

What we need is an alternative should VdF be injured. Doesn't matter what that alternative is once the RWC isn't our first time doing it.

We wouldn't have had to use Henshaw at 15 if JOB started there with Osborne at 12.

If JOB gets injured Osborne goes to 15 and Henshaw comes on at 12. We end up with the same team we have now.

If Osborne gets injured, Henshaw comes on at 12 and JOB stays at 15.

If Osborne and JOB both had to come off Henshaw goes to 12, Sam P comes on at 10 and Crowley goes to 15 as he has done several times in the past for both Munster and Ireland.

No rosary beads would be required.

There's zero justification whatsoever to have Henshaw in the starting 15. And possibly no justification to have him in the 23 seeing as Frawley could do all of the above also.

See on Twitter that Ahern missed out on the Japan game with a head injury. Man has the luck of somebody who ran a marathon under a corridor mad of ladders.

Difficult to pick a player who is injured but hey ho.

At least you're not getting carried away.