Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

leakyboots · 03-02-2026 12:54AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124200758#Comment_124200758

"Absolutely fine against LAR" - missing five tackles and being caught out for two tries.

Just because he finally made a couple of tackles does not cancel out the above. He's a joke defensively still and while I obviously wish him all the best in green I'd be concerned about him starting behind a pack that won't have the upper hand when all evidence points that he can't handle it.

I'd have played Crowley away and Prendergast at home, think Farrell has misjudged this one (but happy to be proved wrong on Thursday).

joseywhales · 03-02-2026 01:00AM

In fairness if the pack gets overpowered, prime dan carter wouldnt save us. No ten can compensate for losing set piece and collisions

WH BONNEY · 03-02-2026 01:02AM

SP is soooo far ahead of Jack, it just doesn't make sense that people are trying to compare the two. If anyone is competing with Sam it's Harry.

ElisaAtWar · 03-02-2026 01:21AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124201377#Comment_124201377

And yet both are so poor. It really is strange that people compare both to each other rather than their peers. That's when you begin to understand

ersatz · 03-02-2026 03:02AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124201192#Comment_124201192

50% win rate with 2 if those wins against Japan and Fiji. They really aren't any good. It's a brutal situation given they're hosting the WC next year. They have very good players so I don't know what's up but the Eddie Jones hangover persists. Beating them in a series with the best players from Britain and Ireland is not anything to feel great about.

Rayray98 · 03-02-2026 05:26AM

If the rumoured teams are to be believed than Ireland will actually have the heavier pack

905kg for France compared to 916kg for Ireland

Rayray98 · 03-02-2026 06:07AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124201356#Comment_124201356

Not being able to even name half the side you are criticising damages you’re credibility.

Jelly Welly · 03-02-2026 08:13AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124201503#Comment_124201503

Fat doesn’t equal muscle

Rayray98 · 03-02-2026 08:18AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124201528#Comment_124201528

So Ireland have a fatter team?

sydthebeat · 03-02-2026 09:00AM

As predicted

Rayray98 · 03-02-2026 09:03AM

They are taking the piss with Furlong at this stage, he literally jogged off the field versus Bayonne 3 weeks ago how tf is he still out?

What, are we wrapping him up in cotton wool just so we can unleash him against Italy?

Also, genuinely, when was the last time a player that was a doubt actually pulled through? If the statement at the press conference is anything other than “he’s fit and available for selection” then you can bet you’re life on it that this player is unavailable.

OldRio · 03-02-2026 09:12AM

Bloody conservative coach always picking his favourites. I'm sick of................ (Team announced)....... 'How do I moan about this selection?'..............

You'll find a way. You always do.

big-al · 03-02-2026 09:12AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124201577#Comment_124201577

I wouldn’t say as predicted, many on here didn’t have Prendergast starting, they had Lowe on the team, had Edogbo starting, had 3 outhalves in the 23 etc.

im actually impressed, actually shows that Farrell is trying to pick inform and players aren’t undroppable. If we aren’t going to win the six nations, at least built towards a competitive side in 2027.

DBK1 · 03-02-2026 09:14AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124201593#Comment_124201593

I assume Syd meant as the journalists all predicted yesterday eve.

Podge_irl · 03-02-2026 09:16AM

Is Loughman generally ahead of Milne for Munster? It is a glaring weak point in the team, but it is what it is.

Anyway, can hardly say he isn't changing things up. I worry about the lineout a bit.

DBK1 · 03-02-2026 09:16AM

Thornley was fairly off with his prediction from Sunday!

CONSI · 03-02-2026 09:20AM

Would have liked to see Edogbo on the bench ahead of Ryan, not sure what Ryan can bring as an impact bench player. Harry Byrne must be disappointed this morning. Have to feel Crowley is covering more than just 10 on the bench and thats what got him there. Probably as good as we have at the moment, discipline will be the big thing for us.

Cosmo Kramer · 03-02-2026 09:30AM

Probably not a team that can stay within 15 of the French in Paris, but if there's ever a year to mix up the selections this is it. Winning the three home games is the limit of our ambitions this time around.

In terms of the 10 selection in a close call (if it even is one) I'll always take Sam Prendergast. He has obvious weaknesses, but he also has the potential to be a top class 10 in the future. Whereas neither Crowley or Byrne will ever be good enough.

France by 18+ points.

Rayray98 · 03-02-2026 09:31AM

For me it’ll be Ireland’s defence versus France’s attack.

Across 5 games in this fixture and on current form you expect Ireland to score approximately 27 points and 3 tries, Ireland’s attack in the autumn was good and France defence was below average so I don’t see why this would change.

However France have beaten this total twice versus Ireland, Last year and 2022, on both those occasions France’s key to victory was

Poor Irish defence in 2025, France got over the gain line far too many times
Poor discipline in 2022, Ireland won the try count 3-2 but still lost due to the concession of a rake of penalties

Ireland need to address both areas above if they want to stand any chance.

El_Duderino 09 · 03-02-2026 09:31AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124201597#Comment_124201597

I think Milne has been ahead but I think Loughman had some injuries recently (concussion, I think) so it's hard to tell.

Dropping Lowe is a big call. I'm fine with it as stockdale has earned a shot on the wing and Osbourne can do the long clearance kicks.

I'm Also happy for Cian Prendergast. I felt he would have grown into the 6 jersey if he was given all the chances Baird got. Hope he can put in a big shift.

Tough game to try new things as it's not likely to end well. I hope we can judge the players on their individual performances rather than writing the whole thing off if France comfortably

Former Former Former · 03-02-2026 09:38AM

Good to see C Prendergast making something of a breakthrough and I think we have a better balance with Beirne in the second row rather than 6.

Only major beef is the 6-2 split which I just dislike in general.

Sammy96 · 03-02-2026 09:48AM

Is this the worse Ireland back 3 in a six nations in 20 years?

slowway20206 · 03-02-2026 10:02AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124201597#Comment_124201597

yes, milne cant scrum.

slowway20206 · 03-02-2026 10:03AM

Mod Edit

Warning issued.

Podge_irl · 03-02-2026 10:03AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124201646#Comment_124201646

Not even close. It is not even a bad back 3…

Pudsy33 · 03-02-2026 10:06AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124201646#Comment_124201646

One of the more exciting back 3s we've put out in years imo.

Rayray98 · 03-02-2026 10:09AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124201646#Comment_124201646

Farrell picks on form and this is the reaction…

Ben Bailey · 03-02-2026 10:18AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124201674#Comment_124201674

23 from Ireland

Podge_irl · 03-02-2026 10:19AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124201367#Comment_124201367

Yes, he was fine against LAR. No he wasn't caught out for two tries - he was caught for pace on one of them (nothing he can do about that long term) and the other was far more TOB's fault.

He also saved at least one sure try with a last ditch tackle so evens out really. But his defence will never be good - it only needs to get to "acceptable". If someone with his attacking skills comes along who is a better defender they will certainly overtake him.

Crowley can't even control a game at home against Castres at the moment. He is in pretty poor form.

The Macho Man · 03-02-2026 10:20AM

So Farrell has done his best to pick on form. As we had hoped. I doubt the naysayers on here will eat that humble pie, instead find something else to bitch about. Two big calls are VDF and Lowe not even in the matchday squad.

Very excited to see Prendergast and Stockdale in the team and also to Timoney for making the bench.

I would have thought Byrne ahead of Crowley on form but Crowley has some credit in the bank v France away. I've never really been convinced by Caseys temperament. Milne tends to struggle in the scrum but France have a hugely inexperienced front row. If we can keep their backline quiet we could easily do this.

Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

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