Why is every post Ringrose related?
I was responding to your post where you said he didn't pressurise opposition ball. But putting pressure on opposition ball doesn't mean poaching though. It means slowing the ball from getting into the 9's hands. Dirtying the contact area to stop it ever getting there in the first place, counter-rucking etc. Doris is brilliant at that.
Ireland don't play with a poaching openside. I can't remember the last one we had tbh. Maybe Leavy? None of VDF, SOB, Henry, Wallace etc were groundhogs. They could all get one if the opportunity arose, but it wasn't a massive strength of their games either.
Edwin's chance to prove me wrong - I don't see much in him other than strength. Seán seems to be a better prospect.
Will gladly eat my words in the future...
I mean VDF isn't exactly a turnover machine is he?
Presumably going 6-2 because we'll be going 6-2 against England.
I get what you mean but that is a significant attributes for a lock. Ireland rarely have guys with his bulk and strength.
IF he can stay fit Ed could get 50+ Tests.
POM
Bizarre post.
I think he has the potential to be the best Irish back of his generation if he's actually allowed nail down one position
I really rate Osborne, and want to see him get more gametime at centre, but this seems like massively over-stating things here.
Was predominantly a blind side flanker, no?
The significance of this selection will only become apparent a week from now. Some of the changes are likely there to compete for a spot against England, others might only be there to give the usual players a rest. Knowing which is which is the challenge.
Nobody is going to nail down a long-term jersey against Italy but they could definitely play themselves out of contention.
Here's a Rugbypass report from 2024 which was working off a claim (by Jamie Roberts) that Ireland had the best back row in world rugby at the time.
It cites stats from Opta back to 2022, and across that window no back rower anywhere had won more turnovers (25) than Caelan Doris.
I have to agree with the original poster he is a bit of a nothing player. He gives good account of himself without ever doing anything above what is required international player, he's a very decent URC player and thats all. In fact SHL when fit has outplayed him in the backrow for connacht in the last few years. They are slightly different backrow players with one positive for prendergast is that he's a good lineout operator
Because Neinaber has destroyed him as an attacker and now as a defender.
Cullen carries a lot of blame for this issue imo. He's persisted with Henshaw and Ringrose, despite their obvious lack of form. Meanwhile lads like Tector, Cooney, Osborne, Frawley etc are sitting in the stands or playing out of position.
On top of that, Farrell is actively ignoring lads at the other provinces who are playing well on a regular basis.
Ya what else can Timoney do to get a start?
Keith Gleeson I'd say!
Timoney is unlucky, but I felt that after last week Conan was always coming in. Izuchwuku fits the mould of the type of 6 that Farrell wants and obviously Doris wasn't going anywhere so the bench it is.
That said Timoney can't do much else to get a start than what he has done so far.
How in the name of the wee man is Tom O'Toole preferred to Milne at l.h. I've seen him do it once as a replacement against a crap team and he got utterly flattened. Italy obliterated the Scottish scrum yet we have a guy on the bench who in reality has never played at loose head for Ulster in all the years he has played. Having him there is wish fulfilment on the part of the management. I hope he is a surprise star………but I doubt it. Milne should be furious.
I don't mind it too much either. I think Timony has shown in the last few years plus last week, that he can hack it at international level. I think it's fine to bank that and try Izuchukwu. If Izuchukwu can do it too, then you have 2 live options to replace VDF.
If Izuchukwu falls flat this week, then I'd expect to see Timony start against England.
Dropping VDF from the match day squad is a big statement. I hope Farrell is seriously looking for the best replacement.
Izuchukwu is not in the conversation regarding timoney or jvf or anyone else for the 7 shirt.
Cormac a 6, and a 5 as a break glass option at test level.
If Edwin is aggressive in the carry he can be elite, he tends to be very passive at times though. Sean is the more natural rugby player and a better athlete but there is no substitute for size.
You're Right. I misspoke. He's not a 7. But he is a genuine contender for a back row jersey. They can only make so many changes per game and this change is about trying Conan and Dorris together.
I really hope they've registered Timony as a genuine contender who can do it at international level.
He's shown some improvements already with that this season, imo, like his 2nd try vs Castres. Really excited to see how he gets on here. He can be monstrous at the defensive breakdown at times.
Milne puts in a good showing and is dropped for a tighthead. Weird.
Beirne somehow is the lock who pays the price for McCarthy’s braindead display.
Timoney surely worth a start after his showing last week. Very tough on Cian Prendergast. He wasn’t even bad last week, but some players seem to get far more opportunity to prove themselves than others. How many chances did Baird get before he came good?
Casey in for his annual start v Italy before being discarded for the rest of the year. Sam P is somehow still getting selected.
Ringrose still getting picked despite offering nothing.
Lowe back in the stink out the joint for the rest of the tournament. Don’t see what you lose by sticking with Stockdale. Sure he wasn’t great last week but we know what Lowe offers at this stage and it’s not much. Baloucoune starting I like but he won’t get much ball with Ringrose at 13.
And still picking a centre at 15.
Yeah. I’m losing faith
The best Irish back of his generation? Really?
There are 14 French teams those French players can play for and 4 Irish teams the Irish players can play for, there's also way more games in France compared to Ireland. It wouldn't be possible for Ireland to hit those French numbers.
Right, this team is a head scratcher. I can't figure out if he is or isn't rewarding form.
Milne ought to be rightly annoyed unless he's injured. As for O'Toole, really not sure what to make of that but I hope he goes well.
Glad to see Baloucoune get a go and front row retained.
Big Joe gets rewarded again for persistent yellow cards and general poor discipline.
Stockdale and TOB get dropped but Lowe who had many a poor performance, especially when he started his Ireland career when his defence was awful, was never dropped. It does smack at times of Farrell has his favourites and that's it.
The only reason I can think of keeping Osborne was his big left boot even though it was hardly used last week. Otherwise he was as bad as the other two defensively. Especially the 2nd LBB try.
Casey for me is not an international standard 9.
lots of weird comments here.
Says Lowe is never dropped yet Lowe was literally dropped for last weeks game, as well as being dropped early in his career to deal with the defensive issues raised.
Casey not an international 9 (?), yet no alternative offered? do we just flog JGP to death?
Osbourne certainly was not poor as stockdale and TOB defensively last week. Osbourne missed no tackles last week, Stockdale and TOB combined for 5 missed tackles. Blaming Osbourne for Ramos 'volley pass' for LBBs try is extremely harsh.
as a general comment, i really cant understand fans who clamour for changes and new faces before the competition, but now that they get them are complaining they arent the ones they wanted.
is it possibly because we dont actually have that much depth in our playing pool, so once you get past the first choice 23 we're down to some pretty slim pickin's?
Passive in the carry? Think you need to see the tries he scored vs. Toulon and Castres this season if you think that. Passive is not the first word that would come to mind
