Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

For me it's a loss of leadership over the past few seasons that's contributing most to the regression in Irish rugby. Yes we probably hung on players too long but Sexton, Murray, POM and Healy were proper leaders. The next generation are yet to step up in that regard. Those guys set the standard and kept it up, the next generation don't yet seem to have that same drive or sheer will to win.

I’d never back against Ireland but France -7 in the spread is a license to print money. That’s going to get ugly.

Watched the 3 games yesterday and am getting more concerned by the day on half backs quality and lack of depth. JGP is the only top quality in both positions. Crowley’s lack of game management and poor kicking is now deeply concerning and he is putting himself out of contention. Coming from someone who has had high hopes and expectations. Neither Sam not Harry are at that top level either but both have the potential to shape a game IF in form. But again lacking consistency. And no depth behind that at age group that is Aus 27 relevant. At 9 it’s as concerning as were an injury away from a crisis. Without JGP we are a very mediocre team given the 10 transition phase dilemma. Watching JGP having just watched Doak was like going up 5 grade levels, entirely different planets. And whilst Casey did really well in places as the number 2 option he is still a long way away in rugby brain / instinct & execution. Still a lot of rugby to play before RWC and a 6N which will be both a challenge and hopefully constructive to future selection decisions to create depth where it’s badly needed. Farrell gets a lot of grief on the selection piece but I don’t envy him right now and with the exception of Leinster the other 3 provinces aren’t giving many alternatives beyond the first choice as the bench in most bases is weak

fair and a clear Irish #2 but a mile apart in my opinion especially as he is in a sweet spot age & experience wise hitting 27 in April. JGP at 33 is a top 3 worldwide whereas Casey would struggle to make a top 10 list

When is the squad announced?

Wednesday

Midi Olympique is reporting that Ntamack will miss Frances opening Six Nations fixtures.

That probably leaves us facing either Ramos or Jalibert which isn't great for us either. But far more preferably to coming up against the Dupont/Ntamack axis.

McCloskey is more than in contention I'd say. 100% locked in starting 12.

With the squad named this week, going to give a prediction a go on who I think will be named. Assumption that only Keenan gets back from the currant injury list and named how I see them in the pecking order in their position:

Boyle, Loughman, Milne

Sheehan, Kelleher, Stewart

Clarkson, Furlong, O’Toole

McCarthy, Ryan, Edogbo, Izuchukwu, Murray maybe? No idea on that final spot

Beirne, JVDF, Doris, Conan, Timoney, Ward, Prendergast/Deegan

Gibson-Park, Doak, Casey

Prendergast, Byrne, Crowley

McCloskey, Ringrose, Postlethwaite, Farrell/Hume (toss up, possibly Hume due to age)

Ward, Keenan, TOB, Kenny, Stockdale, 1 of Lowe/Baloucoune/JOB/Frawley

That looshead depth chart is seriously bleak. Scrum is going to get decimated against France and England. And the other areas of our game are nowhere near good enough to compensate for it