Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

50HX · 16-02-2026 11:17PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124241696#Comment_124241696

Whenever Keenan or Hansen are available properly again I hope Osbourne never again see a 15 shirt & we get him into the 12 slot we so badly need him in imo.

Stu has been good but time is passing on & Osbourne is fast approaching the lovely utility to have when 1st choice wings & fullback are injured.

I get Farrell not playing him all along as he had 4 proven centres to select from so no need to go there but Leinster have really missed a trick in not getting him into the Henshaw role quicker....crying shame

bilston · 16-02-2026 11:21PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124241716#Comment_124241716

This is a very aged post! You're advocating dropping McCloskey just because of his age, it certainly can't be for his performances, he is probably Ireland's best player at this moment in time!

phog · 16-02-2026 11:25PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124241733#Comment_124241733

💯 this

50HX · 16-02-2026 11:32PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124241733#Comment_124241733

I just said he has been v good of late

my overriding point is if we are lucky we will see Osbourne in the centre post RWC, prob 6n's 28 at which point he will be closer to 27 years of age.

Stu Mc playing well or not that to me is a missed opportunity re Osbourne

Tis a pity he can actually do a sticky plaster job on the wing & fullback....we might have seen him in the centre by now.

Lost Ormond · 16-02-2026 11:47PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124241673#Comment_124241673

he played mix of scrum half and outhalf between bandon grammar and bandon rfc. But did play a bit for Con in AIL at full back and has covered it for Munster i think he started a game against Leinster at full back iirc

longjohn200 · 17-02-2026 12:11AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124241754#Comment_124241754

Osbourne is not on the same planet as mccloskey currently. Albeit a nice player, he's just not an international 12

Packrat · 17-02-2026 12:55AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124241649#Comment_124241649

Why not try it? Because you're shoehorning 3 or 4 other players into positions they don't play just to keep SP on the field.

It's already an established fact that he belongs nowhere in a green shirt for the foreseeable future.

Get with the program... the rest of his fans have already accepted reality.

longjohn200 · 17-02-2026 01:02AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124241890#Comment_124241890

You may have missed the final play of the match. Misses like that are not international quality. At this rate, I'd be looking at Frawley

Packrat · 17-02-2026 01:11AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124241899#Comment_124241899

Sam had nothing to do with the final play of the match. He was dire in both games so far and has to be (and will be) dropped for England if not the rest of the tournament.

Frawley has been messed up by management too, but not Farrell and Sexton, in his case, - Cullen and Neinaber.

Way to go though when trying to defend your boy - "but look over there"... whataboutery.

eagle eye · 17-02-2026 01:26AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124241899#Comment_124241899

What are you referring to?

longjohn200 · 17-02-2026 01:28AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124241906#Comment_124241906

Not sure what your on about and I don't think you do either.

Packrat · 17-02-2026 01:30AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124241922#Comment_124241922

Yep. Usual service from the apologists - sling as much muck as possible and then run away pretending they don't know what they said.

Delete your post if you're ashamed of it.

longjohn200 · 17-02-2026 01:40AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124241925#Comment_124241925

You have stated Predergast doesn't belong in a Irish test jersey. I countered that statement by referencing Crowley missed touch which is absolutely unacceptable in the test game.

Lost Ormond · 17-02-2026 01:41AM

@longjohn200 @packrat move on guys any more and there'll be sanctions

Former Former Former · 17-02-2026 08:02AM

McCloskey is playing well at 12 and Osborne is playing well at 15, I wouldn't be messing with either of those right now.

In fact, pretty much everyone from 11 - 15 played well enough as individuals on Saturday, even if the interplay was a bit disjointed. If Ringrose is fit, I wouldn't mess with the selection. I really hope we go with a 5-3 though; TOB could do a nice job as backline cover.

Up front, I would not be surprised to see TOT start at LH; it would be harsh on Loughman who was good against France. I think we have to start Ryan, whether that's in place of McCarthy or moving Beirne to six, I don't know.

Rayray98 · 17-02-2026 08:10AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124240851#Comment_124240851

It’s frustrating as we know exactly what England will throw at us and it really isn’t anything special and is beatable (see Scotland on Saturday) but you just know we’ll fall into every trap they set.

Exactly, see Ireland v England in 2020. Ireland need to get ahead of the game and not allow this from the off. I’m not sure if they will move Freeman yet, this seems to be an experiment they are trying.

The issue is we just take scrummaging seriously in this country, I mean just look at that scrum where Furlong is flying…do you honestly think that’s the scrum of a side that practices scrums?

It needs to be said, this is a coaching issue…not a personal issue, there is no world that this front row should be taken to the cleaners the way they are with goo coaching.

The fact Kelleher was subbed on so early may be an indication of what’s to come, might also give Sheehan a kick up the ass. Edogbo realistically it’s ready to start at this level, he’s not even completed 80 minutes for Munster yet, I’d bench him in a 6/2 split and bring him on with 20-30 minutes to go to cause havoc.

It’ll be interesting as the Lions might play a role here, the Irish coaches will have a good understanding of the English players strengths/weaknesses but then the English players might know the same of the Irish coaches.

leakyboots · 17-02-2026 08:34AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124241929#Comment_124241929

Was it Beauden Barrett who did it twice in a game against us last year? It happens.

That being said, it's happening Crowley too much, he needs to dial back on trying to stick it to the flag.

WeleaseWoderick · 17-02-2026 09:00AM

With a few days to think about the Italy match, I am feeling a bit happier with some of the direction we saw in the game. Ultimately 10 of Italy's 13 points came from arguable ref calls. Casey's yellow led to the try and calling Osborne held up as a maul when he had both knees to ground led to the second penalty shot. You don't get every call and the ref had a good game in general but those calls did lead to the majority of Italy's points.

The lead up for our second try was as close to our 2022/2023 attacking best that we have seen in years. Not sure it will work against every team but those short passes with accuracy and disguise are nearly impossible to defend when done properly.

I'd go with a few changes for the England game with the two halfbacks changing and bringing Kelleher (and maybe Bealham) into the starting pack. Joe McCarthy needs a big performance this week or it's time to see what Edogbo can do from the start for the rest of the tournament.

Podge_irl · 17-02-2026 09:29AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124241890#Comment_124241890

I suspect your "established fact" will be shown to be nothing of the kind in the next few weeks.

fitz · 17-02-2026 10:09AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124242101#Comment_124242101

Yeah, and if we want to get into "established fact" then we should really include the fact that Prendergast got the nod over Crowley initially because Crowley was playing like a drain for Munster. The Rowntree situation really messed Crowley about, imo, and set him back. But in the lead up to last year's 6N, he was arguable making the same level of errors that people are now lambasting Prendergast for. It sucks that people can't have a balanced view of this...we have two out halves that have the potential to be really great, but neither are there yet. But Jack is only hitting the age at which Sexton broke into the Leinster team as a starter, and Sam is 3-4 years younger. I think everyone wishes they could both hit their potential, or close too it, now, cause they're what we've got for the foreseeable, but they are alternating scapegoats atm for poor team play. 10 is far from our biggest problem, imo.

Stanley 1 · 17-02-2026 10:52AM

Have always thought Haley is good enough to ster into the 15 shirt but Farrell very obviously does not………it could free up Osborne to the centres…….

50HX · 17-02-2026 11:30AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124241825#Comment_124241825

Not an international 12 based on what exactly? He's never gotten a proper run there as he was needed to cover 15 & wing previously.

I'm not advocating dropping S Mc, he's been in the top 3 performers in the last 2 games.

Mute point anyway as I don't see a change in 11-15 for Sat.

Half backs, one change in back row along with a positional change there plus prob loosehead will be the changes

longjohn200 · 17-02-2026 11:31AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124242035#Comment_124242035

Agreed, I'd personally prefer to have Crowley in my 15 as I think he is more complete as a 10.

But the constant drivel being wrote about a 23 year old is grating the **** out of me. His selection should be more a reflection on Farrell/Sexton as a coaching ticket rather targeting the individual player.

The constant negativity surrounding him needs to stop. It reminds me alot of Stockdale after the 2019 champions cup quarter where he dropped the ball over the line. On a recent podcast he mentioned how he received death treats among other targeted abuse. He was unbelievable throughout that season but after that dropped ball, his performances dropped off a cliff. Ireland suffered in that WC as a result.

sydthebeat · 17-02-2026 11:48AM

Why do posters think that sexton advocates for Sam over Jack?

What's that based on?

longjohn200 · 17-02-2026 12:58PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124242428#Comment_124242428

Sexton's role is mentoring the irish out halves.

I think it would be weird if in actual fact Sexton believed Crowley is the man to lead Ireland, but Farrell had been selecting Sam all this time.

Would you not agree?

johnh6767 · 17-02-2026 01:02PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124242648#Comment_124242648

We need 2 or 3 international 10’s going into the next World Cup so it’s not an either or, it’s both + some . Only 17 pre RWC tests remaining so the dual approach has to be taken or we end up risking being in the same position as last time with a bench option which isn’t trusted

Former Former Former · 17-02-2026 01:07PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124242648#Comment_124242648

I think the point is that Sexton is unlikely to be advocating for either one, that's not his job, and Andy Farrell does not strike me as the sort of guy who is easily swayed by whispers in his ear.

Also worth noting that Prendergast's call-ups pre-date Sexton becoming a coach.

It is very convenient for some people to ascribe Prendergast's selection to Sexton being some sort of Rasputin figure in the camp but there's very little to back it up.

eagle eye · 17-02-2026 01:18PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124242648#Comment_124242648

Sextins job is to try and improve their abilities. He plays no part in selecting the team.

breezy1985 · 17-02-2026 01:27PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124242703#Comment_124242703

Well he isn't doing a great job there because both lads have been going backwards the last 12 months.

shootermacg · 17-02-2026 01:40PM

Since Sexton coming into cap, the kickers have changed their style. They now angle the ball away from the posts instead of aiming it where they want the ball to go, or towards the outside post. This is supposed to allow the kicker open up more of the contact point. Both Sam and Jack have adopted this methodology and their percentages have tanked.

Why aren't they reverting to their previous style which was pretty decent? I don't know.

Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

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