Ireland V Australia. Saturday 15th Nov. Build up thread

Is this?

Do people need to chill a bit? Absolutely.

Henshaw.

Aki into Centre.

Disagree tbh, it'd almost certainly be Crowley to 15, imo. (Pretty sure Crowley filled in there during the 6 Nations)

I don't think Henshaw has played 15 for Ireland (let alone filled in during a game?) since that famous England game… ?

Yeah Crowley is cover for 10, 11, 14 and 15. Directly for 10/15 and push Mack to 11/14 if either of those lads get hurt.

Typical of you, you can't address the issues I have with the glaring lack of quality SP has been exhibiting this year to date, so instead you try to attack me & a' great many Munster fans' instead, like wtf!?

Firstly, I'm an Irish fan when supporting Ireland & always have been FYI.

Secondly, I'd like to think I know the difference between a young upcoming 10 with glaring weaknesses & inconsistencies in his game, and a slightly older, more accomplished & mature 10 who has a more rounded game, when I see them.

Thirdly, I have no issue with SP starting this weekend at 10 tbh. With 4 games I actually think that it's a great idea tbh (though I'd probably have started him v Japan myself), but it's the suggestion that because of a good 20 minute cameo against an exhausted Japan, that he is the best 10 in Ireland that I have an issue with tbh.... because performances do not support this.

I actually think SP may not even be the best 10 in Leinster (H Byrne when fit is probably better imho) not to mind for Ireland, where he is a long way off the requisite level still imho.

Lastly, wrt Crowley's performances for Ireland this AIs to date, I thought he was OK versus NZ but he forced it a bit too much at times, probably due to the pressure his pack were under, & also JGP at 9 had a real shocker that day. Against Japan I thought he was very good actually, passing & running well, scoring off a lovely multi phase try where he was heavily involved throughout, getting his place kicks, and as usual he defended excellently & offered his physical presence & attacking threat in midfield as always.

In this AIs, SP had an abysmal cameo vs NZ, where he threw 2 intercepts & missed several tackles, imho, and he had a good cameo vs a tiring Japan, where he passed, distributed & kicked well in fairness, in a type & stage of a game that was more likely to suit him.

It will be interesting to see how SP goes this weekend, as Aus are clearly road weary, & are unlikely to offer the physical contest that that most top tier sides can offer, so it's actually quite a good game to start him in imho, & I'm looking forward to seeing him play tbh.

P.s. However, don't get me going on possibly selecting Henshaw at 13, which is a woeful waste of a golden opportunity by AF to blood better 13s against a top side in a game that's likely to have a totally inconsequential result regardless. Truly baffling!!

On this last point. The weather forecast is horrendous for tomorrow and Saturday. Very heavy rain over the eastern area of the country. We could be in for a slug fest.