Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

i think pointing out that crowley wasnt the main reason for munster's poor recent form is perfectly fair, seeing as it is true. he hasnt been amazing or anything but he has played pretty well at times and the problems largely arent down to him

Missed a trick not putting Edogbo on the bench, James Ryan ain't all that. Maybe it's a fitness/lineout thing.

Good to see Cian Prendergast get the nod and finally jettisoning James Lowe who has been looking very ordinary for a while. Not sure our wingers will get much ball with those centres but maybe Sam's crossfields or long passes will bring them into play. As I said before I'd have started Crowley away from home and look at Sam at home.

Best time to play the French, first up, maybe we'll catch them cold but I think it could be a long night.

Six Nations is the best tournament in rugby, love it

I dread those long passes from Prendergast. They look so telegraphed I just worry he is gonna start getting caught out in a big moment.

Funny you say that, i was thinking the same thing can it happening maybe twice .

What’s your opinion on Crowley’s development so far? Is he a markedly better player now than what he was in 2023?

He’s had some games where he’s excellent (Leinster this year, LAR last season) but too many games where he’s been average especially for Ireland. Thought he might have kicked on earlier this season but the inconsistency seems to remain although he’s playing in an out of form Munster team which doesn’t help.

Fair enough.

I mean, you're literally replying to a post where I've acknowledged games where he's played poorly, and have said I'd start Prendergast vs France, but fair enough.

Same old, same old from Irish rugby. New to camp, needs to learn the patterns etc. Rugby is first and foremost a physical game. Ed Ed is a beast in that regard. You can't learn what he has in any camp.

Not looking for him to play 80 mins. But he is well capable of a 15-20mins appearance from the bench to punch holes in a tiring French defence. Serious jackal threat at the ruck too.

Jegou, Auradou and Nouchi are all younger than Edogbo also and in the French 23 for Thursday. All made their French debuts at 20 years of age.

If Edogbo was French he'd be in their 23 on Thursday.

Its ironic you say same old same old when dropping in Edogbo for France away is type of thing that would have happened in the 80s or 90s when we were sh!te.

Players having to earn a place in the team by showing they've nailed the basics and can do their job is much more typical of the historic success we've seen under Schmidt and Farrell.

Ultra conservative.

We have 6 (Six!) Starters Thursday remaining from the World Cup Qf. And people are whinging over a fella with less than 15 starts for munster not being in the 23.

I would have gone with Frawley, Balacounce, West. McCloskey, Stockdale. Naughton, Devine. Bohan, Sheehan, Clarkson, Josh Murphy, Joe McCarthy, Beirne, Jansen and Boyle. So a slight change overall

Squidge claiming there are rumours of Farrell going to Saracens w Rog in the Ireland frame. Obvious disclaimers apply.