Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

I personally think the previous Nov was possibly worse; stuff like VdF starting every game. Beirne and Doris playing every minute. Lowe playing every minute vs the Tier 1 sides. Casey getting 22 minutes vs Tier 1 sides.

Midfield is a massive problem area now. Be interesting to see who he goes with here. There's a case for Tom Farrell, just for some creativity from midfield, but he's hardly a long-term option either. I really feel like we need to start seeing Osborne there more too.

This period feels like the biggest test of Farrell's career, some big selection calls ahead over the next few weeks.

I think VFD's position should be up for grabs. He doesn't do anything wrong or make stupid decisions, he's just not as good as he was a few years ago. He seems like a sound man who gives everything on the pitch, but that's not enough if his performances aren't great.

A few years ago he was genuinely world class and he won a lot of the 50:50 (which is a completely subjective, finger in the air measurement). I feel he made meters after contact, pounced on the breaking ball, ran good lines to be an option in broken play and tackled with venom, and he doesn't/can't do it anymore.

He never has a rubbish performance, so he's hard to drop, but I think it would be fine to seriously look at other options like Timony or Ward (or maybe Jack Willis if the rumours of him moving to Munster are to be believed)

He's similar to VDF. Not doing anything wrong, just doing it as a 34 year old. Lost a bit of pace and energy. No discredit to any of these guys. They're great for their age, but their age means they're not as sharp as they were a few years ago in their prime.

I think iteland is in a bit of trouble in the time between waiting for these lads to age out until they can replace them. That's the nature of these things. It's hard to drop once-great players

Hits the nail on the head re: McCarthy. Couple of years ago you’d be willing to forgive him the odd stupid penalty because he plays on the edge, he’s learning, etc. But he’s 25 now and it’s getting a bit beyond a joke because he just isn’t learning. So it might be the case that he’s just a dumb player and you have to question if it’s worth continuing investing in him. Which is a real shame because he has the physical attributes to be a great player, but if he doesn’t have it upstairs, there’s nothing that can be done. I’d replace him in the 23 with Edogbo for Italy.

Trimble on Second Captains calling out some of the scapegoating online with regards Prendergast.

Last Thursday was as close to a rubbish performace I've seen from VdF. Didn't collect the offload from Sam early on and spilled the ball under very little pressure out wide that lead to a French try. Only that so many other players were so much worse spared him from any meaningful criticism. Nick Timoney played well when he came on and should be given the start IMO.

No.

Aki abused some refs. Totally different.

Good analysis, question has to be asked of the coaches and what they are doing if we cant set up to defend a 5 meter scrum. C.Prendergast shouldnt have had his head buried, TO'B should have overrun his defensive line…you feel that wouldnt have happened down the other end. Really sick of this line that we didnt show intensity in the 1st half, how can you not show intensity in an awa international v france..

And O'Gara? One of the most heralded Irish players of all time?

I have never seen such a relentless pile on like I've seen of Prendergast, and it is being led by so-called Irish rugby fans. It's a disgrace and they should all be ashamed of themselves.

Let's not pretend this place can hold some sort of moral high ground over TikTok either.

The Scrum wheeled away with C Prendergast losing sight of Jalibert. It was up to the 2 turnstiles outside to stop him and they didn't.