Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

with respect, Squidge knows sweet f… all.

If Edogbo doesn’t know the lineout calls after two weeks in camp, then that’s an indictment on the coaching

Look in a mirror.

The lack of self awareness is frightening.

If I had to guess, I think there’s a good chance we’ll see him next week vs Italy.

If Edogbo had to come on after five minutes in Paris, there would be a significant concern about his ability to finish the match. He has not played 80 minutes of URC or European rugby since 2023. If he cannot do it at a lower level, could he do it in a test match against France? Maybe we could have had him in the 6-2 split ahead of Timoney but no way he could be the only lock cover.

We play Italy at home next week which should be a lot less arduous, hopefully we get a look at him then.

England A have named their side for the game on Friday evening in Thomond:

England A:

 15 Joe Carpenter, 14 Cadan Murley, 13 Luke Northmore, 12 Orlando Bailey, 11 Ollie Hassell-Collins, 10 Billy Searle, 9 Harry Randall, 8 Alex Dombrandt, 7 Jack Kenningham, 6 Ethan Roots (c), 5 Joe Batley, 4 Ben Bamber, 3 George Kloska, 2 Jamie Blamire, 1 Tarek Haffar

Replacements:

 16 Kepueli Tuipulotu, 17 Archie van der Flier, 18 Afolabi Fasogbon, 19 Hugh Tizard, 20 Fitz Harding, 21 Raffi Quirke, 22 Charlie Atkinson, 23 George Hendy

Some good players in there - it's always the sign of the sheer depth of English rugby, but I don't think it's a terrifying prospect by any means, and would back the Irish side to put it up to them here. They have good pace out wide in Murley & Hassell Collins (and Hendy off the bench), and a tidy pair of half backs in Searle & Randall. Good back row too with plenty of experience and senior caps in Roots & Dombrandt and I've been impressed by Kenningham any time I've seen him.

Three guys in the side with Irish links: George Kloska, Archie van der Flier and Raffi Quirke, all of which will be captured (or re-captured in Quirke's case) by playing here (Kloska actually played in the game against Ireland A in Bristol last year too).

My point was theres been a huge turnover and churn of players. As there always is in rugby due to injury, which has led to us having a pretty untested team by our standards. In the circumstances it might be nice to have a proven 76 cap international to come on rather than Edogbo, who will have plenty more opportunities.

Its just the latest new shiny thing cause celebre on here like Tiernan o Halloran is better than Rob Kearney, Harry Byrne is Romain Ntmack, Coombes etc etc

posted twice

Its pretty simple put Crowley in a better team and you get a better Crowley!

Anyone any idea when the A team is announced? Tomorrow?

lunch time according to Sindo

Yes, it can't possibly have anything to do with the - checks notes - 7 other guys involved….