Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

Keith Gleeson I'd say!

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.

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

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.

Although I agree with much of what you've said here I'm trying to be positive about this selection. Happy to see Casey start at 9 and Edogbo on the bench. Izuchukwu impressed me when Ulster beat us convincingly over Xmas and it's good to see him given a start.

I think the selection that bugs me most is TOT over Milne, unless Milne picked up a knock or illness or something?

No offense but you may as well set fire to that €50 note. If the game were in Rome it would be worth a punt. But Italy will not beat us in the Aviva. They may make it close and make us look bad in the process but it's hugely unlikely they will win.

Yup Casey isn't an international 9 but Osborne is a generational talent in the backs. Some of the stuff that's posted here is mad.

I think you’re prone to hyperbole, Clegg.

Joe McCarthy being a “singular talent” and Jamie Osborne having the potential to be “the best back of his generation” being the latest instalments.

well let’s see.
France did not really attack out lineout or scrum. We are going to find out a lot about Loughman this weekend, also Sheehan Joe McCarthy Dorris are not in great form, add in we are not starting a 7, Casey/prendergast has a lot bad potential Casey and Crowley should start together or Gibson park and prendergast.

It’s a poor selection ,

Hardly a problem. We just disagree, kid.