Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

With no Keenan, Osborne and JOB (both left footed) for FB I wouldn't be shocked if Lowe starts v France.

Of course Lowe is going to start against France. I mean, he obviously shouldn’t and everyone knows it. But he’s a Farrell Favourite. He’ll only be out of the team when he retires.

Look, we’re probably going to lose the game by 30 points. May as well do it while blooding some new players and developing a more expansive game that might allow us to actually compete at the RWC instead of being the sh*tty Bok knockoff that we are now which will inevitably lead to us going out in the quarters (again). Ward and Kenny on the wings please and a 13 who’ll actually pass them the pall.

LHP is a real cause of concern - Paddy McCarthy's injury described in the Leinster update as a "significant foot injury" which probably means a break, and reports of Porter potentially out for 8 weeks or so.

Big opportunity for Jack Boyle, Michael Milne, Jeremy Loughman etc.

He's in the training photographs today. I'm reasonably hopeful he plays for Leinster on the weekend, he should definitely be ready for the 6N I think (absent a setback or fresh injury).

All reasonable enough.

Personally, though, there's no way I'm starting JOB or Daly at 15 ahead of Stockdale. Frawley I can see people would make a case for - he wasn't great at 15 earlier in the season, but has improved. (Stockdale has been markedly better but I wouldn't waste my time quibbling. I know people have a narrative about Stockdale.)

And assuming he comes back in full fitness, no-one can compete with Keenan. Be delighted to have him back.

Would be fantastic to see Ward in the squad and Kenny in the training squad. I assume Gleeson and Edogbo will get their opportunities again in the squad - didn't both miss out in the AI due to injury? Presumably Farrell still wants a look.

I'd say potentially the greatest room for a shake-up is at centre. Henshaw was very good against La ROGelle, but that seems to be the exception rather than the rule these days, and I'd be disappointed if Andy now acts like we haven't all been watching him clearly decline. Bundee seems pretty shot.

TBF to Henshaw, he was okay for Ireland in the autumn too. He's had some very poor performances this season, but I don't think he's fully done either. He has a lot of miles on the clock but he's 10 months younger than the guy who I hope would start at 12 (Stuart McCloskey). He put in some excellent hits on Saturday night and had a lot of good involvements, beyond finishing his try well.

I don't see him being jettisoned at this point. Bundee might be though - his form is poor, he's soon to turn 36 and his legs look gone. At some point you just have to call it.

Henshaw absolutely will be in the squad, he's a proven player in good form, why would we not include him? Based on the Autumn and subsequent, McCloskey is in pole for 12, Ringrose at 13 and I'd stake my considerable reputation on Henshaw wearing the 23 jersey in Paris.

If Keenan doesn't make it back, we absolutely should go with Stockdale at 15. JOB is a grand player but nothing like the potential upside of Stockdale.

Murphy, Devine and Gunne are poor kickers and can’t really control the tempo of a game.

they are one demensional, albeit that one dimension is paying at high tempo etc.

they are one demensional, albeit that one dimension is paying at high tempo etc.

This wasn’t an issue for Farrell when he first brought JGP into the team

I now see Gavin is out for 3 months, so a real possibility we see Henshaw McCloskey Ringrose and Aki named again. Really hopeful he goes Hume instead of Aki.