Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

I can’t think beyond the front five at the moment. If they perform in the scrum like they did against Italy then no back line will save us. What a worry. Sheehan has been ordinary so far, way below his best. Nobody could object to Kelleher starting. I noticed a lineout overthrow from Kelleher too when he came on against Italy. I hope Furlong somehow improves this week. He didn’t look fit. One or two nice passes and that was it.

One of the major factors in the decline of Ireland's performance is the Nienaber system operating at Leinster.

Not only does that system not suit Leinster's players, it means that they must play completely different systems between club and country. A greater variation between the highest contributing province and the national team than has ever been seen in the thirty year professional era.

That jarring variance is best demonstrated in the showing of some superb players like Joe McCarthy, Caelan Doris and Garry Ringrose, who are all operating far below their talent levels, because they are tired, frustrated and mentally drained.

A strategic decision will have to be made at Union level how to address this.

Rud O'Connor this morning suggests that although Nienaber runs the Leinster defence, he is also de facto in charge of the entire rugby programme in Leinster.

He further suggests that Nienaber be paid off, and that Joe Schmidt come in as senior coach under Leo Cullen and that between himself, Andy Farrell and David Humphreys, and indeed with the 3 other provincial team coaches, they institute an ethos of excellence in skills and open attacking rugby that suits our traditions and our physical attributes as a playing pool.

It doesn't sound like the worst idea to me.

Farrell is entitled to spin that for the wellbeing of his players in whatever way he sees fit.

But he isn't correct.

I was there, it was a cheer of irony and relief that Prendergast was being taken off.

And everyone must deal with the reality of that in their own way.

Nienaber and Cullen have a job to do, Farrell and his team have a job to do, but blaming one for the struggles of another is a bit much tbh.

Pity, I thought he played well on Saturday, although not everyone thinks so.

I'd expect Farrell to come in, although is there an argument for Postlethwaite, yes it would be his debut, but it would be Farrell's second game so not much difference in that respect, plus McCloskey and Postlethwaite have a familiarity. As someone else just said Hume would probably make sense than anyone, but he isn't in the squad.

Disappointing for Ringrose (if confirmed), but I suppose an opportunity for someone else, and that seems to be the narrative for this Championship now.

Edit - we could also move Osborne to 13 and play Stockdale at 15. Stockdale's aerial game in Paris might put the mockers on that idea though.

I think stockdale can do a job at 13

Schmidt returning to Ireland is not as far fetched as you might think. It's probably not going to happen but it wouldn't be that far beyond the bounds of possibilities.

No, that has been superceded by updates this afternoon, Ringrose is OK.

You're convinced that Byrne is better than Crowley and Prendergast despite the statistics from their club games categorically showing otherwise.

Byrne had to leave Leinster for a period last year to be a medical joker for Bristol because he wasn't good enough to get in the Leinster team. He has returned improved, but still not better than Prendergast. They've played roughly an equal number of Leinster games this season. The reason Byrne is getting starts in away games is that he's more physically mature than Prendegast. Not because he's a more skilled player.

Ireland have a more physically mature player, who is a solid defender and demonstrably better than Byrne in the skills department. Why would we chose Byrne for Ireland over Crowley?

And before you mention Crowley's missed touch last week let me remind you of one of Byrne's last actions for Leinster before departing for Bristol:

A missed touch at the end of the game to deny Leinster a chance to win the game. I remember watching it. Can't find a clip it to see how egregious it was but I distinctly remember the error at the time. So his 'line kicking' as you call it, is also error prone.

Thank you, I've been battling this angle that Neinaber is some sort of cancer in Irish rugby that needs to be cut out with the last while to no avail. Like you say, Cullen put him in his current position and yet is never mentioned.

As I said before, come look at our defence down in Munster. And if Leinster wants we'll do a swap of Leamy for Neinaber.

Haley is not international standard

I think the way England play, we need osbourne in at 15. I would be worried about Jude and Tom in the 13 channel. Both are 12's IMO. Of course you could move osbourne but he gives the team such solidity at 15, I wouldn't move him. I have no answer for ringrose's potential replacement if he doesn't make it threw the week.