Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

In case we gave away a penalty in the next play.

I posted this seasons statistics here previously that objectively show that Harry Byrne is not better that either Sam or Jack. He is a marginally better goal kicker than them both and that's it. The stats show he is a worse defender than Jack and a less effective attacker than them both. Significantly worse in attack than Sam in fact.

Sam and Jack are the best we have. Both are far from the level of player we need though.

A pretty fair and accurate summary in fairness. Maybe I'd have docked Jack a point for the missed touch at the end.

The frustrating thing is both have had opportunities to nail down the 10 jersey and neither have taken it. Crowley has had 16 starts, Prendergast 11, and generally speaking whoever comes off the bench tends to look better. Both have had great moments and poor moments but can’t seem to put it all together.

The reality is that you look at the top 10 teams in the world, they may start for Fiji and Australia but every other team has a much better option if not two better options. Will be difficult to compete at the sharp end unless one of them makes the step up.

I’d be giving Crowley the jersey next week and see what he can do from the start. Hopefully he takes it and cements it for the rest of the tournament and foreseeable as the team will struggle to develop unless one of the two gets to that level.

He's the tackling stats wrong on James Ryan. Himself and "Big Joe" made 5 and missed 2 and had poor carrying stats (Ryan especially).

Edogbo made 9 in his time, Crowley, Timoney made 4. Our back three made more tackles than those two.

I'd love to see the ruck stats for the game to see if that's where they were at, cos it definitely wasn't hitting a blue jersey

it’s Ireland v England.
that’s the teams .

Next weekend will be quite the full circle for McCloskey. Started in Twickenham in 2016 for his debut and played OK however he never took Joe's eye. We have been spoiled at centre for nearly a decade now but I cant help but think what could have been for mccloskey. A maverick for Ulster but maybe just was too loose for Ireland at the start of his career to kick on.

I've seen Chris Farrell, Rory Scannell, James Hume (albeit a 13) all jump ahead of him in the pecking order at times for ireland but he is now becoming ireland's best centre option.

Not even selected on the NZ tour in 2022 (before that tour stu had never been named on a summer tour squad outside of Ireland) Stu was called in to replace an injured Hume. He played OK in that final game against the Maoris and provided a very audacious flat skip pass in the 22 for a try which caught the eye. He has been named in every squad since that point onwards.

Largely noted for his big carries, he was pigeon holed early as a one trick pony and this was reiterated on the media and on platforms like this. He is not, and plays more in a play making role for ulster but he certainly carries it hard if needed.

33 now but he doesn't look off it in terms of energy. I think momentum will carry him to the WC.

Now if you think you need to take offense to this then just go for a walk. I think there is something in it. On this piece from Newstalk

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNRfauc6D/

Is she Fiona - the person who references the body language of the other players?

Both contributors seem to think there is something in it and I remember seeing it before when keatley was not going well with Munster - the players will never come out and criticise a teammate but they can’t hide their body language or shock reaction to a bad mistake being made. I remember POM working very hard to hide his frustration at simple mistakes being made.

It’s possible that AF has lost the respect of many of his team by making selection decisions that a lot of them dont agree with. It was referenced how few people got involved with the pushing and shoving in Paris the last day, maybe there is a simmering or growing lack of cohesion in the team.

It’s something to watch out for.

my point is if prendergast starts, then develop a game plan around him. Crowley would be fine at 15, Osborne into centre.

for all the bitching about prendergast, if there is only change for the England game then it’s ringrose who has to be dropped.
Like a headless chicken running around.

Prendergast will look a lot better if Crowley is 15, and they interchange as required.

Scenes of Farrell on the telly yesterday looking on as if to say "who in God's name picked this team"

You did Andy, you did!