Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

big-al · 25-01-2026 11:30PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124180436#Comment_124180436

Stockdale would have played 15 around 2020/2021

jimbob955 · 25-01-2026 11:35PM

after the last few weeks the players I would like to see fast tracked

JJ kennny

Tector - best young centre in Ireland

Niall smyth - believe the hype

As a development player:

Alan spicer - get him in early into camp, we never produce this sort of size in Ireland

Exciting times

sydthebeat · 25-01-2026 11:37PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124180466#Comment_124180466

Yep, 4 starts in those years, including two in the six nations of 2020

Juventu4 · 25-01-2026 11:46PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124180484#Comment_124180484

And the Ward brothers. Spicer no way, he is a long-term project he'll need more S&C, looks very laboured jogging around the academy game vs Toulouse and will bedd to drastically show more work ethic and aggression.

fitz · 26-01-2026 02:43AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124180466#Comment_124180466

Yeah, I looked it up earlier and I remembered him having a howler against France. He by no means looked like a good option at 15 back then if my recollection is right. He's been mostly very good for Ulster this season, and deserves to be in the squad and to get a chance to press his case for claiming the spot if Keenan doesn't make it, but I think I'd still expect at least one costly defensive error.

big-al · 26-01-2026 05:16AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124180736#Comment_124180736

I’d love to know you thoughts on how Lowe, Ringrose and Hanson have been playing in the past 12 months

Jelly Welly · 26-01-2026 05:57AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124172916#Comment_124172916

Sam Prendergast at 15 at test level is truly the stuff of nightmares

Yeah_Right · 26-01-2026 10:29AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124180785#Comment_124180785

Second half of last season they were all in good form. First half of this season, not so much. And Hansen is out on long term injury.

bingobango12 · 26-01-2026 10:58AM

I am a huge fan of Ringrose but I think there is a case for Farrell at 13 next week. Similar to Aki, the form just isn't there at the moment. Unlike Aki though I think Ringrose is just a blip due to being so stop start with injuries since the summer Lions Tour. It's not a very Andy Farrell thing to do but for us to have a chance I think he needs to select the players in form.

In a similar vein I would play Stockdale at 15. I don't think France away is the time to play your first game back in the guts of 6 months for Keenan.

My team: 1. Loughman and hope for a miracle 2. Sheehan 3. Clarkson 4. McCarthy 5. Ryan 6. Beirne 7. JDVF 8. Doris 9. JGP 10. Prendergast 11. Lowe (Would have picked Ward if named) 12. McCloskey 13. Farrell 14. TOB 15. Stockdale 16. Kelleher 17. Bohan 18. Furlong 19. Edogbo 20. Conan 21. Casey 22. Byrne 23. Frawley

Former Former Former · 26-01-2026 11:07AM

I think if Furlong is fit, we'll see Bealham deployed at LH either to start or on the bench. Loughman isn't bad though, I think he could surprise us.

Would love to see Edogbo getting a chance - but if he had to come on early, would he last the pace?

My predicted team based on current injury status:

Keenan

Lowe McCloskey Ringrose TOB

JGP Prendergast

Loughman Sheehan Furlong

Ryan McCarthy

Beirne Doris VDF

Kelleher Bealham Clarkson Prendergast Conan Casey Crowley Aki

ionadnapóca · 26-01-2026 11:53AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124181110#Comment_124181110

Largely agree with your team, but I would still pick Ringrose and he couldn't throw Bohan in. Keenan I'd also now question. He would need to play v Edinburgh.

If it comes to pass and Keenan is not ready; it must be one of the following players at FB:

1.Crowley

2.Frawley (And Frawley is not equipped to play 15 at this level)

After the unmitigated disaster of a decision to play Boyle v Connacht. France are going to bombard the backfield with kicks (more than ever).

Kicking for territory, Kicking to regather and relishing the prospect of Scrums.

If Farrell picks anybody other than those 3 to play 15 it would amount to gross negligence for Ireland.

Your Team / My Team:

1. Loughman and hope for a miracle 2. Sheehan 3. Clarkson 4. McCarthy 5. Ryan 6. Beirne 7. JDVF 8. Doris 9. JGP 10. Prendergast 11. Lowe ~~(Would have picked Ward if named)~~ 12. McCloskey 13. ~~Farrell~~ RINGROSE 14. TOB 15. ~~Stockdale~~ CROWLEY 16. Kelleher 17. ~~Bohan~~ MILNE and hope for a miracle 18. Furlong 19. Edogbo 20. Conan 21. Casey 22. Byrne 23. ~~Frawley~~ Farrell or Keenan if fit

Predicted Team:

1. Loughman 2. Sheehan 3. Furlong 4. McCarthy 5. Ryan 6. Beirne 7. JDVF 8. Doris 9. JGP 10. Prendergast 11. Lowe 12. McCloskey 13.Ringrose 14. TOB 15. Keenan if fit 16. Kelleher 17. Milne 18. Beahlam 19. Edogbo 20. Conan 21. Casey 22. Byrne 23. CROWLEY

FtD v2 · 26-01-2026 12:00PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124181110#Comment_124181110

Farrell's form has been poor enough too though, I can't see them making that switch here, especially when the backline will already be a bit rejigged I suspect.

I'm not as worried about Keenan; he's been back in full training for around a fortnight now. His match sharpness won't be there, but I bet his fitness will be fine.

I'd start Stockdale on the left wing instead; Lowe's form just doesn't justify inclusion IMO.

bingobango12 · 26-01-2026 12:01PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124181263#Comment_124181263

Ya I'm not opposed to your changes. Crowley at 15 at this level could be a disaster, but could also be a masterstroke. I think Stockdale deserves it though on form this season.

I've only seen this Bohan play once, so I know very very little about him but Milne scrummaging against France could literally be a guaranteed penalty every single scrum and end up like Porter against SA in November. Maybe that is being harsh on him but I don't think Milne is a good scrummager to my eye.

Podge_irl · 26-01-2026 12:15PM

Farrell picked Keenan for the Lions after the dude lost like 5kg of body mass with a terrible illness. If he is fit to play he is being picked.

Former Former Former · 26-01-2026 12:16PM

Yeah, there are players who just come in regardless of game time, Keenan is one of them.

fitz · 26-01-2026 12:19PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124180785#Comment_124180785

Not great. Ringrose has been patchy, Lowe has been poor with some bright spots, and Hanson has barely played. If I remember right he wasn't in great form a year ago, but came back strong after injury and now he's injured again.

If Keenan is fit, I think Stockdale deserves to start ahead of Lowe on the wing. If Osbourne is fit, personally, I'd have him as backup if Keenan doesn't make it. After that, I'd be fine with Stockdale at 15, but wouldn't be upset to see Crowley there.

ionadnapóca · 26-01-2026 12:41PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124181331#Comment_124181331

Whats Fit though? If you know what Im getting at.

He played v Australia 6 weeks after his last game.

This is 26 weeks. Match sharpness (what I'd call 'match fitness') is a huge issue and France are going to be raining kicks down on him.

Crowley came on v SA at 15. Personally, I'd be in favour of starting him there with Harry 'Kicking King' Byrne on bench.

50HX · 26-01-2026 01:10PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124181337#Comment_124181337

Agreed, he's similar to Doris re fitness & also the best in their positions

Podge_irl · 26-01-2026 01:41PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124181426#Comment_124181426

Fit is being able to play. I know what you are getting at but I think much like Doris coming straight back in in the Autumn the gap between him and the other options is too large.

The only possible alternative with "match sharpness" specifically at fullback is Stockdale.

ionadnapóca · 26-01-2026 01:54PM

Yes and thats no alternative at all if thats how Farrell views the depth chart* at 15.

Its a big call to start Keenan. And like when Doris came back, I'd also have Keenan on the bench.

It looks like he will start. I just hope they wont have rushed him back. It's really a little unfair on him to be parachuted in and straight back on the front line.

*Match sharp

letsbefair · 26-01-2026 01:58PM

Very surprised if Lowe doesn't start. The aerial battle and his big left boot, plus is more likely to get involved. Think we will go 6-2 also with Frawley and Casey.

Sangre · 26-01-2026 02:06PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124181134#Comment_124181134

I'd be surprised if this isn't the team give or take. Given the injuries, I don't think Farrell is going to tinker with the team

aloooof · 26-01-2026 02:07PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124181657#Comment_124181657

If he goes 6-2, which I think it possible, I don't think it's at all likely that Frawley is ahead of Crowley.

letsbefair · 26-01-2026 02:19PM

Big fan of Jack but his place kicking gone off a bit and form not up to his best. I'm sure they will have a good look in camp, maybe they can turn him back to his best.

aloooof · 26-01-2026 03:06PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124181723#Comment_124181723

To be fair, you could say the exact same of all the 10's in the squad RE: their form and place kicking.

I doubt Frawley's would be an improvement and with them largely covering the same positions, I think it's a no-brainer to pick Crowley as he's significantly better cover for 10.

typhoony · 26-01-2026 03:19PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124180510#Comment_124180510

The beef he added to the scrum in the Leinster A v Toulouse espoirs game cant be ignored.

ionadnapóca · 26-01-2026 03:44PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124179805#Comment_124179805

A legend indeed. Its good stock that Currow blood!

https://www.rte.ie/archives/2016/0210/766994-irish-rugby-team-prepare-for-paris/

40 years ago Ireland heading to Paris under 'Doyler'

1st Feb 1986 France 29-9 Ireland.

How rugby used to be played. Philippe Sellas try at 1:22:30

https://youtu.be/T5N6aPTbysE?t=4949

Unfortunately I'm expecting a similar result.

When Doyle made his debut v France in January 1965 he described that encounter's early stages as 'the most concerted period of mayhem that I have ever witnessed or contributed to' (Doyler, 30). He scored Ireland's try in a 3–3 draw.

Would take your hand off for a 3-3 draw next week.

https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0126/1555111-farrell-newcomer-bohan-has-temperament-for-step-up/

Le Bruise · 26-01-2026 03:57PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124182048#Comment_124182048

I do miss the old scrum half dive pass….and also the lack of pattern, just play it as you see it (and cop a few high tackles while you're at it).

AbusesToilets · 26-01-2026 04:51PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124181657#Comment_124181657

Wouldn't have Lowe near the team. Wings should be TOB (if fit) and Baloucoune. We have to stop rewarding mediocrity with caps.

The Macho Man · 26-01-2026 05:53PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124182282#Comment_124182282

iirc everyone questioned Lowes form coming into last years 6N and he setup three tries in the first game v England, JGP, Sheehan and Beirne. If he goes well in training he'll be playing.

Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

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