Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

He's simply answered the question (a leading, loaded question) he was asked, and defending one of his players.

It was a perfectly reasonable question; questions about Prendergast's tackle technique and defence are going to come up because they are so at odds with all all other aspects of his game.

That doesn't make it leading or loaded, even if Farrell thinks it is.

I can't say what he would have said about Tommy O'Brien - but I would have said exactly the same.

I'd extend that also to guys like Tom Ahern, Harry Byrne, Alex Soroka, etc. These are all guys who have looked for a long time like they have the skillset to be international players, but simply haven't been able to realise their potential because of constant injury issues.

It's not their fault, but it is the reality unfortunately.

While I hate to stifle a lively debate, I never said Baloucoune had had a career of mediocrity. Note the absence of quotes.

Now, you might ask yourself, why is a certain poster claiming that I did, and completely out of the blue with zero context? If you can figure it out, you're a smarter man than me.

In 2020, I accept he was probably at his peak before a small disaster of a 6N campaign

Baloucoune is one of those players whose ability or achievements cannot be separated from his injury history. Would he be a superstar if he could stay fit? None of us really know tbh, because he's had so few injury-free runs, and he's not playing in a vintage Ulster team either which doesn't help.

My own opinion is that he's still probably not the type of winger that Farrell prefers. He's just not in that Hansen/Lowe mould of players who infield looking for work or can make something happen for the players around them. I think TOB's elevation is a good example of what he wants, in contrast with Stockdale's relative isolation.

He also said he was tremendous last week, i think he's got the rose tinted glasses on, i agree that the level and manner a coach defends a player says a lot. It was a fair question i wonder if an aspect of crowley's game was questioned would he be as defensive or annoyed even

All of this is absolutely fair.

But while I hate to bring up an old debate, you did indeed say Baloucoune had a career of mediocrity. Note the absence of reply when asked to clear that one up.

Now you might ask yourself why a certain poster claims they never said as much, when they absolutely did? If you can figure it out, you might be just as smart as me…

But while I hate to bring up an old debate

You always have the option not to.

you did indeed say Baloucoune had a career of mediocrity

No, I didn't.

Note the absence of reply when asked to clear that one up.

I did reply, you just ignored it.

Any right winger outside of Ringrose isn't going to shine unless he goes foraging cos he's not going to receive the ball. He doesn't pass it. Stats for years show this

Keenan was actually very robust until the stomach thing that got him before the Lions and this ongoing hip issue thats laid him up currently. He's missed occasional matches before this due to injury but he hasn't been crocked for a sustained period like the other two.

Would be interested in peoples opinions after that autumn series. Think it is very clear this is now a slow aging team that needs some new ideas.

Wondering about some of the choices in that squad. Blade and Frawley were wasted spots that could have gone to develop Devine/Murphy/Doak/Gunne and H Byrne/Murphy.

Is Farrell too loyal to some? Really hope to see Coombes, a young scrum half as 3rd choice, Osbourne named in squad as a centre, 1 of Gavin/Postlethwaite/Cooney, and 1 of Bolton/Kilgallen/ even Joshua Kenny as a bolter.

Lowe is still important but not sure if he makes the World Cup. Hansen injured alot lately and Stockdale has had a few chances without taking them, let’s move onto somebody 5 years younger.

Worried about lock in particular. Beirne looks shattered, McCarthy injured, Ryan off form, Henderson is done.

Whatever about personnel, the attack has gone nonexistent.

The coaching standards is just really poor, the scrum, ruck and maul both in defence and attack is just not good enough. It feels like we are getting by in spite of this due to the player quality but the reality is at the highest level we get exposed… most of our problems today were self inflicted.

This focus on pace and guff like this is a complete red herring, we are going nowhere fast if our discipline continues to be so poor and we try to attack without a set piece or ruck protection. It’s actually mind blowing how nothing is being done about it, so many key areas of our game is just really, really poor and yet nothing is said or done about it…18 penalties today, beyond disgraceful.

It is baffling at this stage, flaw's were pointed out during the last WC yet nothing done, it is 2 years since and it is getting worse!! It is stupid more than baffling in truth.