Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

another bizarre team selection by Farrell.

I expect Italy to win this game.
you can get match odds of 8 to 1 for them - crazy odds.
I am going to stick a 50 on them.

I said potential to be and outlined the reasons why. It's in no way a controversial post.

Blaming Osbourne for Ramos 'volley pass' for LBBs try is extremely harsh.

I agree with a lot of your post syd, but Ian Madigan went into this a bit and suggested Osborne was way too far back positionally when there was no need to be, and that contributed (along with TOB being too high on a 4-on-2 in Ireland’s favour).

I believe Italy will dominate collisions, squeeze Ireland’s exits, win scrum penalties, and punish inexperienced halfbacks with relentless pressure.
Irelands backline as a unit looks poor.

They could well do all those things but I don't see how they will outscore us even with that. In that scenario you describe I think we sneak home by 3-5 pts

Then that's a you problem. Both players have the potential to be world class. McCarthy is a Lions test starter at the age of 24 and was one of the best players in your until injury.

Taking all that into account and considering the weather forecast, if Ireland win, it will surely go down as one of our best ever wins under Farrell. Agreed?

Also think it's a poor selection though very glad to see James Lowe back. He's been outstanding for Ireland and would be a cert on any other 6N team. I wouldn't have picked Osborne, Prendergast or McCarthy. I'm convinced at this stage that Johnny is the influence in the outhalf position. Anyways let's get behind the boys in green and see can we beat Italy and get some feel good factor going

Lions test starter against an Aus team that Ireland beat handily in the AI? I would get too far ahead with that.

His performances agaisnt France in the last two 6N games have been very poor and ill disciplined.

I won't argue that he has huge potential but his attitude and mentality still have a way to go.

I'm not denigrating past performaces, just giving context to this year's Lions tour. My own personal bias against the modern day Lions probably colours my judgement a bit.

Joe has been good for Leinster in the CC this season for sure. But at this level you're only as good as your last game. He was in the mix for the poorest performing Irish player last week. Hopefully he turns that around on Saturday. The real litmus test will be agaisnt Chessum and Itoje the following week though.

My general issue with Joe though is his propensity to resort to stupid penalties and YCs when his team is under pressure up front. What we need from him are momentum shifting moments when we're under pressure, a turnover, dominant tackle or a big carry. Not gifting the opposition 3pts like last week or getting a stupid, needless YC like last year. I worry that he keeps making these same mistakes and that it will retract from his undoubted power and ability.

Dropping Stockdale is a funny one, he wasn't great last week but he also wasn't any worse than other backs. Bringing him in looked to have any eye on the next couple of years so why not give him another shot to see if he can impose himself on the game and build a bit of confidence? Now it looks like he was used just to give Lowe a kick in the arse. And dropping Beirne to the bench while starting Joe is another head scratcher. If ever there was a time to let Joe stew on the bench for 60 minutes surely this is it. Sure, Beirne looks like he could do with a break but Joe definitely needs to understand that he needs a bit of maturity or he's out. Anyway, otherwise an interesting team, no guarantees that this won't be a major struggle.

move south east

I'm fairly convinced Farrell wants to play Doris at 7 vs. England. I'm also thinking we could see Beirne at 6 too for that game unless Izuchukwu makes himself un-droppable with his performance on Saturday. And then there will be 2 backrows on the bench and Timoney, VdF, Izuchukwu and Cian Prendergast will be battling for those 2 places. Something tells me Timoney won't be in the matchday squad vs. England.