Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

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.

Was going to say Johnny O'connor. Remember George Hook wanted BOD to move into the back row at one stage!

Ryan got into a scuffle with half the French team after that tackle, was notable that not a single Irish player joined in (that I saw).

Fine line between controlled agression and giving away too many penalties/ yellow cards. I thought Ryan was lucky to get away with that late hit on Jailibert.

Trying to continue the O’Toole to loosehead experiment is just insane to me. It’s been clear for the last 18 months that Ulster have no interest in playing him there. They were willing to go out and splash big money on Angus Bell before they tried O’Toole at LH. Therefore, he’s never going to be a long term option there for Ireland if he’s never playing there for Ulster. Milne went well off the bench last week. Should be pumping more minutes into him, getting him up to speed. Just a baffling call by Farrell.

True. But size isn't everything either. If it were we'd be sorted with Alan Spicer!

Anyways, hopefully Edwin can step up to the mark and show he is capable of international test rugby.