Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

I am 100% sure that Farrell would ask his coaches their opinions, but the original point was that Prendergast's issues were a reflection on the "Farrell/Sexton coaching ticket" (there is no such thing) and the follow-up question was, wouldn't it be weird if Sexton thought Crowley was the better player but Farrell was picking Prendergast? I don't think that would be weird at all. You'll always have differing opinions within a staff but the buck stops with Farrell. And it's worth noting that Sexton had a lot more experience of playing and training with Crowley than with Prendergast.

For all we know, he's relentlessly bigging up Crowley and he's been undermining Prendergast's confidence and that's why his head is shot to pieces. Is that likely? Of course not, but that never stops any of the other bonkers theories we hear here.

Sexton calling the shots and putting Prendergast in the team fits a certain perspective very nicely. That does not make it true.

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.

Ollie Lawrence back in also is a big plus for them.

That back row are all big turnover threats and all carry hard. Bar George and Underhill that is a weak bench though.

Oddly enough Sexton has come out in support of all 4 potential out-halves. Now if Prendergast had turned into the new messiah at out-half Farrell and Sexton would be flogging him right now and all the way through the RWC. The only reason the below is being mentioned now is that all 4 are similarily average and this suits the narrative...

"Johnny Sexton says Ireland are trying to learn from criticism of previous World Cup cycles when they relied too heavily on just one out-half [him].

He says Ireland want to get more game time into Prendergast, Crowley, Frawley, and Byrne at 10"