This. Nothing else matters. This.
I personally think kicking stats need to be improved as well as the error count for both crowley and prendergast before I think they could be at the required standard. Always loved the way Crowley has gone about his business but the period just before Christmas and after, has been quite a low point for him. Hasn't performed well at all.
In relation to Sam, I do think the amount of abuse he has received will set him back years unfortunately and if you are an irish supporter that is not good. Sam is an excellent player - he just needs time to mature and develop away from the spotlight.
I wouldn’t say Crowley had a ‘good game’, giving away an intercept, missing two tackles and missing touch at the end costing us a bonus point. Our best players who won us the game are JGP and Lowe.
His quick non bullsht Prendergast slow passing was just as important as JGP coming on. Pretty much every journalist agrees that the changes at 9 and 10 were huge but also all agtree 10 needed changing more than 9.
Both Sam & Jack are inching forward with time spent on the pitch. Rebuilding confidence from a very low base . Takes time . 18 months to RWC so maybe just maybe this is something we look back on and think this was the critical rebuild. Personally I feel we miss a RWC cycle but maybe I’m too pessimistic
Andy can you take this one?
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/0o1Ntw3wWDM
Harry Byrne is the best fly half and goal kicker in the country.
I'm completely at a loss re Harry Byrne.
Did Farrell name drop him over the AI to keep the other 2 on their toes?
He is in the squad & I think we will see him at some stage before end of 6N's.
We have issues at 10 but for me the basics of tackling are non negotiable in this position.
Both current 10's have work ons but tackling is not something you work on at Test level.
Interestingly SP was not the 1st choice 10 at club pre AI 24, his international caps in Nov forced Cullen to fast track him imo when he clearly still had work ons to go with the talent he has.
Fast forward to this season & Leinster aren't backing him to start in the tougher away CC games.
What happens nxt is anyone's guess.
We have to go 6-2 v England & for me SP is not a utility to cover the bench.
One of the 2 has to get a meaningfull amount if starts from here on in.
Farrell sees more upside to SP than JC & he may v well stick with him.
Its going to be an interesting week
If that's what you've taken from recent performances then you might need to getvyour eyes checked.
Maybe consider this pov instead:
Both are going backwards - provably so based on previous performances v recent ones.
One was a 6 nations and URC winning player, the other showed some promise with school, club and province.
Farrell and his team of yes men have royally fcuked both of them up by their handling.
Nathan Doak is the best goal kicker as I have posted with conclusive proof already.
Its possible to have problems in the pack and also an under performing out half.
It would be madness to pick Sam for next week. Madness
Sam can still bench in a 6-2 provided Jack starts. Just means that Jack is likely to play 80mins and move position when Sam is brought on.
We almost certainly will go 6-2 vs. England. Can't see Farrell changing that.
VdF will definitely be in the matchday 23 also. He won't be left out again. I'd back him to respond in the same fashion as James Lowe and up his game too.
Will be some very interesting selection calls.
9. JGP, 10. Byrne
21. Doak, 22. Frawley
Looks like Crowley is a cert for England match. However not beyond the bounds that Sexton forces the Prendegast issue. When you think about it the No 10 only became an issue when Johnny arrived on the coaching panel
I agree he can, i just don't see the upside of it as it means whoever the bench 10 is only goes to 10. Crowley to 15 ; Osbourne to wherever needed
It may as well be HB....if he wants to have a look at him at all that is
Crowley is a good finisher/utility player, you either start him at 15 or you have him finish the game at 10
I would hope Doak would come in for Casey. He is really not good enough at this level. He has been given too many chances and is still woeful
VDF comes onto the bench instead of Timoney
Beirne to 6
Doris to 8. Conan to bench
Izzy drops to the bench
Odogbu drops out
I also noted ringrose taking a heavy strapping in the second half. He may need to be replaced.
My god, do yourself a favour and watch the Ireland A game if you think Frawley should be in the 23 next week.
Has to be trolling
Barring injuries that's not going to happen and what's more it shouldn't happen as you want your best players playing a 6Ns game
No problem with Doak v Casey but then you lost the plot:
So you're going to bench Conan and Izzy, drop Tomoney and Odogbu completely in favor of who exactly? Old 'reliables'.
Ringrose needs to be dropped from the 23 with or without any strapping.
For Wales and Scotland yes, give it a try.
For England, jgp, Crowley, Doak, Byrne.
Mod Edit
Warning issued.
I’m more concerned about our scrummaging than anything else. How are we going to prevent a similar collapse, or ascent heavenwards, against England?
News to me...
News to everyone
I think beirne will start. That's either at 6 or lock. I prefer to keep mccarthy and Ryan. I think Doris is lost at 7. He either starts from 8 or the bench. Its much of a muchness between Conan and Doris. I think I would start VDF at 7 for his defensive work rate. Given odogbu 10 mins against Italy does not give me confidence. He would found out against the English pack, no point ruining another young player.
I think I would go with a 5 3 split on the bench as a result of crowley starting. Prendergast, doak and Postlewaite/Farrell. Farrell may go 6 2 and go with H Bryne.
Ringrose is quality, and streets ahead of any other 13. Its not even close. I wouldn't want to be dropping ringrose for England.
Anyways thats just my opinion
Agree,you can win at home with a dodgy scrum but rarely if ever away.Maybe Edogbo heft is a must at least for 50 mins till their props run out of steam.Cant see Farrell playing Edogbo from start so I think we will just need to swallow the inevitable unless we can keep knock ons to single figures.New reality ,you can't hold your scrum against opposition put in you are in big big trouble,some will say same as it ever was ,but it seems somehow more stark nowadays.
What quality exactly does Ringrose possess, that has him so far ahead in your estimation?
He is the best option at 13.
He is also the only option at 13 and if he is injured then a big problem need fixing and the solution is something like Tom Farrell, Aki hastily going to the CAS, Osbourne, James Hune, Dan Kelly etc etc.
Well he is the best and only 13 because he’s the only 13 who’s got a real shot at the jersey…if he’s missing than this is a disaster of the coaches own making.
