Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

In fairness I am in the camp you would be talking about, and I am aware I am doing it. I just have huge reservations about Crowley personally. He is a very good rugby player, but managing a game and silly mistakes like kicking dead seem to happen with him more than the other 10s.

Look although I have reservations I think it is now clear to most that Prendergast isn't ready, and I say that as a Leinster fan, and a Prendergast fan because he can do magic things. But he can't be picked for Ireland again until the defense improves, it's too much of a liability. I have no idea what happened from the tee on Saturday but it seems like he completely got in his head the whole game.

I still stand by Crowley being on the bench and Byrne starting this weekend. I know it won't happen and it will be Crowley at 10 but I have a feeling we will be back here in a weeks time saying Crowley was poor at x and x so what do we do now.

On the other side of the coin, there has to be acknowledgement that there is a section of support that back Crowley, no matter what. Multiple people online jumping at criticism of that kick dead basically saying "yeah but Prendergast was dreadful so it's ok he did that". Both sides of the 10 debate need to understand that both of them have issues in their games and neither is the messiah, instead of constantly arguing that 1 is dreadful and the other is Sexton reincarnated. As I said above, I am sure Crowley will start next weekend and I hope he blows the lights out because we aren't going to win unless our Out-half has a 8/9 out of 10 performance.

The Lions tour excuse is rubbish at this stage. It was 6 months ago already.

him.

And to prove the point Farrell made….....

Dont doubt my powers.

Would love to see Osbourne at 13 but unfortunately leaves us short at 15.

Hard to believe we only have 2 specialist 15s in the country (Keenan & Haley)

On the racism towards Edogbo; I really doubt it's rugby fans posting this stuff. The IRFU are doing some kind of investigation and I really wonder what it could possibly show. Anonymous people on the Internet hurled racist abuse.

I'd imagine a good portion of it is bots and another good portion is not rugby fans, just racists or people trolling for the craic. I've heard nothing but enthusiasm for Edogbo in real life. His race doesn't come into the discussion in real life.

I can see the IRFU has to be seen to act, but I also think the bots and racists are getting what they want from people suspecting everyone else is a racist. I'd be fine if they just said they picked him because he's Irish and earned his place through working hard and playing well. Then move on.

I dont think you can have prendergast as a bench option, he either starts or isnt in the 23 for me. He only covers 10, so if Crowley did go down thats fine, saying that Crowley is more robust of late and doesnt tend to cry off injuted (touch wood), if not, your shuffling Crowley to cover elsewhere to accomodate Prendergast, what if Crowley is having a worldie at 10, would you put prendergast in at 15 or centre, not a chance…I think Harry Byrne is a better option from the bench. Prendergast needs to come out of the firing line for a few games. If as the " rugby commentators" are saying he is playing with no confidence than having him as a target for a rampaging english forward line wont help. I think you give JC the england and wales games, then decide who gets Scotland based on those games. Saying all that we need to move on from the 10 debate, they are not the only reason we are underperforming and I think a few others are playing for their futures in green.