Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

That's not what posters are discussing.

You don't think he would be asked his opinion on who is in better form or better suited to play against upcoming opposition?

AF may not be easily swayed but he definitely takes the views of his coaches in to account when selecting the team.

But Sexton would also - obviously - have input.

Just like POC would have had input before him in the non-selections of, say, Coombes and Kleyn; an argument some of the self-same posters now writing off any contribution from Sexton, previously made for POC. Was he a Rasputin figure in camp?

The point is Farrell obviously picks the team. But he also obviously seeks the opinion of his coaches towards selection.

That doesn’t mean Sexton is advocating for Prendergast. But it also doesn’t mean Sexton isn’t advocating for anyone.

Good for you.

I don't think that's why Prendergast replaced Crowley - I think it's more the inherent weaknesses in Crowley's game were why Farrell has continued to consider other options (including Frawley & Byrne too).

Crowley played largely well when introduced on Saturday (certainly better than Prendergast had played), but it was very much more of the same from him. When the game is helter skelter and broken up, it seems to suit Crowley's skillset better.

It is clear as day at this point - 3.5 years since Crowley's debut for Ireland - that while Farrell saw enough talent there to elevate him from Munster's third choice 10 to the Irish squad, that Crowley is not doing something Farrell wants him to do to establish himself as the Irish 10.

To me, there is no other credible argument for why Crowley isn't getting selected. It's not about provincial BS or Sexton or Goodman's influence or anything else. It's on Crowley not delivering what Farrell wants of him.

He'll get another chance this weekend, and let's see if he's figured it out.

I honestly don't GAF who is the Irish 10, so long as one of them emerges as a viable top tier 10 we can plan around for the long term.

The idea of a Farrell and Sexton conspiracy is tin foil hat stuff.

I assume everyone in the Ireland coaching set-up wants the best team on the field.

We were winning at half-time. I must watch the game back to see what he did/didnt do. The usual shuffle the ball to Aki and let him truck it up the middle didnt work. NZ knew what we'd do.

Crowley was terrible in that game (and he was terrible) but Frawley managed to come on and be even worse.

Ollie Lawrence a big inclusion too. Freeman has been good the last two weekends in attack, but felt the Scots exposed him defensively quite a few times last week. Lawrence is a real handful though.

It's a strong pack - very dangerous backrow, and I think Chessum is an excellent player at lock. They were shite last week, and play a limited gameplan, but they're a seriously formidable side and will be very hard to beat at Twickenham.