What matters is how he played when called up for the Lions tour. Do you think there's anybody that could have come in who would have played better than him?
In last year's Rugby championship Australia beat South Africa and Argentina. They had one double digit loss which was by 14 to New Zealand.
Watch more of him
His bulk & power is something we just don't produce in this country.
His clear outs at rucks & ability to carry into the tackle are his usp.he will get you the hard yards that can set up your attacking platform much quicker without burning energy doing so.
Twice he has done an 80min shift, he is being dripped back in which to be fair considering his double injury is only correct.
I don't ever see him as an 80min player if I'm honest.
His brother on the other hand good go 100mins...he's a different athlete & also a great prospect...really impressed with him in the last 2 games
Crowley and Prendergast .
Indeed Porter and Furlong, Ryan, Henshaw, Aki, Ringrose, Casey, Gibson Park, Tommy O'Brien, James Lowe. When is it time to let it go. Must we just embarrass ourselves before we do something about it
Go home, you're drunk
"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).
In fairness if the pack gets overpowered, prime dan carter wouldnt save us. No ten can compensate for losing set piece and collisions
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.
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
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.
If the rumoured teams are to be believed than Ireland will actually have the heavier pack
905kg for France compared to 916kg for Ireland
Not being able to even name half the side you are criticising damages you’re credibility.
Fat doesn’t equal muscle
So Ireland have a fatter team?
As predicted
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.
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.
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.
I assume Syd meant as the journalists all predicted yesterday eve.
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.
Thornley was fairly off with his prediction from Sunday!
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.
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.
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
Ireland need to address both areas above if they want to stand any chance.
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
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.
Is this the worse Ireland back 3 in a six nations in 20 years?
yes, milne cant scrum.
Mod Edit
Warning issued.
