Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

i disagree, neither are in great form at the moment but they both are both great players

sorry but that is just absolute revisionism, he was not 'pretty poor' against NZ, ireland were leading while he was on the field and while it was far from a perfect game from JC, he was fine overall. the idea that he was playing badly for munster at the time is simply untrue also, his goalkicking was not good enough but his overly play was pretty decent

Hard to argue with any of that really. The one thing I'll say in defence of Cian Prendergast is that he was very reliable in the lineout. We need a very good lineout forward in the 6 position at the moment with our recent lineout woes. Ryan Baird filled that role before his injury and I think Cian Prendergast suits it now.

There was a reason why TOB was taking off after 50mins, and it wasn't because he was having a decent game.

Not sure how you think Prendergast and TOB defence was credible, certainly in that instance anyway. TOB is a good URC player. He's really not at the this level. Age is on Prendergast side but he's verging on the same.

simply not true

Disagree, Prendergast's effort on Jalibert was extremely weak, imo. I think in that scenario, the most likely outcome is a French try, but Prendergast has to do much better there. (It's mad that's even up for debate, to me…)

I'd agree that the scrum was under pressure, but I also think that was part of the play from France to setup that scenario; to wheel the Irish scrum away from the blindside to afford them that platform to attack Prendergast.

You'd be hard pushed to say it didn't work.

That specific instance was total system failure. Between JGP, TOB and both Prendergasts they badly messed up the defence of a simple blindside move. It was symptomatic of the general mess we were in defence.

I give Cian Prendergast some forgiveness in this instance as the scrum wheeled him away from where the ball went.

I say this as a Munster fan, but the whole team has largely been rubbish this season. Barring the period pre autumn internationals we've been very poor. Crowley was flying it before then and his form has dipped along with the teams. Munster pack is being beaten up in most games so its tough for the 10 to look good.

Same as happened Sam last Thursday. It takes a truly world class 10 to influence the game behind a beaten pack.

I think he's found the step up difficult and has looked pretty ordinary at this level. Turns over a lot of ball (and it's not all aerial 50/50s). 4 the other day, 3 v South Africa, 2 v NZ. Even the hammering against Japan he turned over 3. The way some were going on here about his pace and being in with a chance for the Lions I thought we had a serious speed merchant on our hands, maybe he looked very fast compared to a pretty pedestrian Leinster backline of SP/Lowe/Henshaw/Ringrose/Osbourne, he hasn't really used this searing pace a whole lot to date, maybe we're just not giving him the opportunities. I do think his tackling is solid mind.

To be fair to him, it's not easy being a 14 outside Ringrose also, been saying that going back to Keith Earls' days. Ringrose passed the same amount of times (3) as Joe McCarthy in the game. Distribution has never been his strength (or at times even a feature) of his game. We could have prime Jonah Lomu out there and he'd be cracking up. The likes of Hansen go looking for work because it won't come their way, Balacoune needed to learn to do that. Nash was starting to regularly come in off his wing to midfield or looping around to the left half of the pitch before he got injured/lost his place. Would like to see TOB do a lot more of that if he's the one at 14. I'm not sure he's much of an upgrade on Calvin Nash at all, who I don't consider an elite international winger either.

Mad that this far out from the World Cup that 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 (less so, I'm assuming Hansen will be back in) are positions (IMO) we haven't got someone nailed on for the jersey (or are we going with Dad's Army of Lowe/Henshaw/Farrell/McCloskey and a Ringrose with a load of miles on the clock). Think this is what happens when you keep the same players in situ for years and they all regress at once. We're cutting it tight to be trying out others, that A match (and u20s) was particularly deflating the other night. Ward and Kenny didn't put their hands up at all. I like the look of the young Ulster backline personally and a couple of lads in Connacht might be worth a punt.

I just have a feeling the current iteration of our backline isn't going to all of a sudden dial it up a few notches

.

This is what annoys me massively.

If 2 of Porter, PMAC, Boyle no way in hell Milne/Loughman would be in the squad?

Why? Farrell would see them as too risky a pick, irrespective of their provincial form.

The same can apply to Stewart, Jude, Timoney,.

If we just pick the same players over and over again (Kelleher, VDF) and never give the next man up a proper shot how will we ever know they are good enough. Andy should be builiding in more depth through a little bit more rotation, not relying on an injury crisis.

My selection includes dropping VDF out of the 23 to get debut minutes into Ward. Timoney comes in at 7. Think Tom Stewart is a must this week from the bench. More energy is needed and Kelleher looks like a drain right now. Dropping Osbourne to 23 to provide cover. I don't think he adds huge connection in the back line but I would have him coming on 55 mins for mccloskey/Ringrose if no enforced changes.

I would love to get a debut for Doak but that may have to wait till Wales. Casey to start with JGP benched.

Lowe comes onto the left and stockdale move to 15. Stockdale just can't do a wingers role anymore. Looks more comfortable at 15. Lowe brings energy and experience to that backline.

Not going with Edogbo, Izzy, Prendergast, bryne, TOB, Farrell, Jude this week, potentially wales or scotland.

1 Loughman,

2 Sheehan,

3 Clarkson,

4 Ryan,

5 Beirne,

6 Conan

7 Timoney

8 Doris

9 Casey

10 Prendergast

11 Lowe

12 mccloskey

13 ringrose

14 Balacoune

15 Stockdale

16 Tom stewart

17 Bealham

18 Milne

19 McCarthy

20 Ward

21 JGP

22 Crowley

23 Osbourne

So you're saying that Crowley buckled at the first sign of competition? And you think that's good enough for test rugby?

Honestly, agreeing with me that he fell out of form and lost his place would do a lot more in his defence then the excuse you just provided there.