Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

No reaction to the Stockdale selection, after all your gnashing of teeth anytime someone suggested Lowe should be dropped over the last few weeks?

Terrible bait, ill bite:

If you are going for place if birth

1 from Connacht - 1 starter - captain

I'm happy with that squad selection overall. Would loved to have seen Edogbo bench over Timoney, he would have brought a bit of raw power in the final 20mins. But that's nit picking.

Farrell has selected on form here anyway, can be no complaints on that front. Lowe dropped, Stockdale starting is evidence of this. Scrum is going to be huge, a lot rests on that front row. It's likely we would want less kicking in the game with this selection, more ball in hand time. Less set pieces etc. Let's see if that will work out.

Any idea when the French team is due to be announced?

I'd be concerned about Furlong's future, he would still have a role to play in the next RWC but i have a gut feeling he might have to retire before then.

Stockdale's try scoring record is so impressive, 19 in 40 internationals. I really hope he has a good game and can establish himself as first choice.

I heard that quote yesterday, and thought it was an excellent summary of what a lot of people have been saying about Jack Crowley's flaws for a very long time.

The most concerning thing is this part of his game just hasn't improved at all. He should really be pushing on now - he played 1,200+ mins for Munster back in 22/23, and has a clear grip on the jersey. He's 26 now - but it feels like he's still good at the things he was good at 4 years ago and just hasn't improved at running an attack.

VDF is starting but agree no Lowe is a big call.

Really spicy backline with lots of quality and pace. Jalibert has been the best 10 in the world this season IMO, and Dupont back is probably worth 10+ points to them on his own.

Would hope we can drag them into a dogfight up front though. They've picked three tacklers and jacklers in the back row in Cros, Jegou and Jelonch, so obviously hoping the two locks (each of whom are very comfortable in the back row too) will do the bulk of the tight carrying.

That's a beatable French team.

VDF has been in really good form this season. No issue players in their 30s getting picked as long as they're playing well, which he is. Having said that, we should definitely be looking at a different option at 7 in at least 2 games. Be that Doris, Prendergast or Timoney. I feel like that's where they see Bryn Ward in the Irish setup long-term. We know Farrell prefers bigger units in the 7 jersey rather than old-school smaller build opensides.

Delighted that Osborne is fit again and that we've someone slotting in at 15 with recent experience of playing there at test level. Would still rather him at 12 or 13, but needs must.

A back three of TOB, Stockdale and he might be pretty adept at fielding contestables also. Could be a way for us to get into the game.