Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

TRC10 · 18-02-2026 11:00PM

If Izuchuckwu played for Leinster he’d get at least 20 games to acclimatise to test rugby and prove himself. But he doesn’t, so he’s gone after one game because he didn’t win MOTM, even though he has the raw materials to be a brilliant 6 for us. As I’ve said before, some players get afforded far more leeway than others.

Beirne at 6 is just so bloody regressive. Let’s see Izzy or Prendergast go again. Or put Doris at 6 and reward Timoney’s form at 7. Irish rugby is just hell bent on shooting itself in the foot. How McCarthy is keeping his places is just beyond me at this stage.

bingobango12 · 18-02-2026 11:01PM

Frawley isn’t a 10, but is Marcus Smith a much better option for England? The problem with these 6/2 splits is the second back needs to basically cover the backline. In a 5/3 realistically Byrne is 10 bench cover.

Hopefully Crowley pulls out a performance and has his kicking boots on because I don’t think Frawley changes the game at 10 if that is what’s needed.

In saying that, I think our bench is stronger than Englands, if it’s within a score at 60 mins, I think our bench can win it.

sprucemoose · 18-02-2026 11:05PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124247065#Comment_124247065

at what point have i attacked prendergast? i have been critical of the management if anything

i havent mentioned frawley at any point because i dont think he should be in the conversation around 10 to be honest as he is better suited elsewhere, nor was he the starting 10 at the time that SP was brought into the team. i think he's paying a bit of an unfair price overall in terms of selection since that NZ game but i dont think hes a good option at 10 either

Jump_In_Jack · 18-02-2026 11:08PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124247073#Comment_124247073

What should we be trying to do with our possession? What’s the game plan to win?

Who are the important players and what do we need them to contribute?

Conversely, same questions for the English team, and how are we going to counteract their intentions when they gain possession?

eagle eye · 18-02-2026 11:10PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124247087#Comment_124247087

I'm tired of this twisting things so this is my last post on the subject. You cannot have negative influences in a squad. If somebody is not in a positive mindset he shouldn't be in the squad. It's affecting the squad in the wrong way. It's critical to have positivity, focus and belief.

You have a lad in there that's affected by social media it may affect others. Do you want a squad that's not fully focused on the next game? A squad that's thinking about things that have nothing to do with the game?

If your answer to those questions is yes or it's not important then expect to see the team not performing at their best.

JeanRasczak · 18-02-2026 11:15PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124247210#Comment_124247210

Frawley had finished the season before with two drop goals. He had started the Nov series as the backup 10 for Ireland to Crowley. The same as he finished the season before. It was all over rugby circles that Farrell wanted Leinster to play Frawley at 10

Prendergast was the 3rd choice

Post NZ game Frawley was the one dropped out of the squad altogether and Prendergast was put into the Argentina match day 23

All we hear about from some quarters is about poor Crowley but no mention of Frawley at all. I would say you have to wonder why, but I think we are all adults here and know why

breezy1985 · 18-02-2026 11:22PM

If Frawley does play its gonna be great craic watching the Connacht fans join the no.10 fight

😁

Yeah_Right · 18-02-2026 11:23PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124247237#Comment_124247237

Your recent posts have shown an incredible amount of ignorance around mental health and the mental side of sport. Kicking a player, or coach, out of the squad because they're affected by outside noise or some problems in their personal life is counter productive. That will cause people to bottle up any issues, not discuss them, not seek support and that will have a negative impact on team dynamics and performance.

The smart way to deal with such things is to make sure everyone is aware that they can be open and honest about such things. And that they will receive all the support they need to get through it.

JeanRasczak · 18-02-2026 11:23PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124247107#Comment_124247107

The triple crown has not been a consolaition prize. It is not the Calcutta cup either

"most fans don't" is not really based on anything apart your own poor knowledge of rugby

FYI Ireland is not a "big rugby country". Rugby is still a very small sport in Ireland and Ireland have done excellent in the last few years to grow the sport and make Ireland competitive on the international stage. So much so that we have people like you claiming a triple crown is a "consolation prize"

France, England, South Africa are what I would class as big rugby countries. Ireland is growing and great to see, with that comes a lot of questionable online "fans" which is a concern

sprucemoose · 18-02-2026 11:23PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124247251#Comment_124247251

yes, its because he isnt a good option at 10?

aloooof · 18-02-2026 11:23PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124247251#Comment_124247251

we hear about from some quarters is about poor Crowley but no mention of Frawley at all. I would say you have to wonder why, but I think we are all adults here and know why

… because Crowley is a far better 10 than Frawley, and Frawley’s performance that day was awful.

Occam’s razor. That’s why.

Felexicon · 18-02-2026 11:26PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124247237#Comment_124247237

I'm not twisting anything, I'm just trying to grasp your rationale here.

I also think positivity, focus and belief are important.

Additionally, I think Ireland will always need to perform to a level greater than the sum of it's parts to be successful and that requires a squad that shares a strong bond and purpose.

People who have the ability to align to those kind of intangible need to be well rounded, socially capable people, especially in a leadership function.

The other side to that is that those people are emotionally intelligent and stresses on their team mates, their families and themselves will affect them. But it will get to a point where it gives the collective group something to harness themselves to and fight for or against in the quest for a bigger goal.

AbusesToilets · 18-02-2026 11:26PM

That's a disappointing team if true. Good players dropped after 1 game, serial underperformers entrenched as starters. 6-2 bench is **** and actively hurts our ability to change up games and develop players.

Jump_In_Jack · 18-02-2026 11:31PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124247291#Comment_124247291

If Izuchukwu isn’t injured, I don’t agree with moving him from starting 6.

breezy1985 · 18-02-2026 11:36PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124247280#Comment_124247280

Big in the world of rugby. We are currently regular 6 Nations winners and fancy ourselves as World Cup contenders so ya a Triple Crown means we were not good enough to win the actual tournament which is the absolute dictionary definition of a consolation prize.

Podge_irl · 18-02-2026 11:38PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124247231#Comment_124247231

Somewhat ironically, I thought we looked at our best against Italy for the second and third tries and both were from passages of play I would describe as more akin to "old" Ireland.

Clearly the plan is to get into unstructured play via kicks, have our forwards flood the channels and then create space - but we are a) not getting the ball back and b) not flooding anything as our forwards are static and ponderous. But they have shown glimpses of being able to do something.

Our scrum is going to be bad - it is just a question of how bad. So the lineout needs to be perfect for any kind of platform and in that scenario we should be trying to kick for space rather than kick to contest, but I don't see them changing that mentality. Already against Scotland England were clearly not much bothered about competing, just disrupting and if they got a knock on who cares cause their scrum was on top - and it will be a lot more on top against us.

I am not thrilled that Lawrence is back at 13, I think he could do some damage.

aloooof · 18-02-2026 11:52PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124246570#Comment_124246570

I agree that these are different levels of deficiencies in these players games.

I disagree that they are as big deficiencies as Pendergast’s defence.

almostover · 18-02-2026 11:54PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124246775#Comment_124246775

Please god no! That would be a wild selection. Frawley was rubbish for the A team against England. Coaching ticket has lost the plot if thats their selection.

Jump_In_Jack · 18-02-2026 11:59PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124247333#Comment_124247333

Thank you, so relieved after the barrage of nonsense posted here lately to actually be discussing the rugby strategies, which is the really only interesting stuff to me.

I get the sense that we are not only in a transitional phase of players aging out, but we are actually almost blocked in terms of deciding on our best game plan, given our playing talent.

It seems to me that the law changes have posed us a lot of questions around what exactly we need to do now to beat an elite team, I.e. France, NZ, SA.

I am sceptical about a kick-chase strategy, we don’t have elite aerial ability nor a dominant scrum platform to deal with resulting knock-ons.

Felexicon · 19-02-2026 12:01AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124247379#Comment_124247379

The Piper must be paid.

If.you go 6-2 on the bench you need versatility and Frawley ticks that box.

Hard to see how they can give Harry B a game in this 6N. You can't be rotating 4 No.10s.

almostover · 19-02-2026 12:01AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124246913#Comment_124246913

I get that Sam needs a boost to his confidence at the moment and I have been critical of his performances thus far in the 6N but finishing the game with him and Crowley on the pitch would've made sense. We've always looked good with 2 playmakers and maybe Sam could rediscover some form from the bench.

Selecting Frawley out of the blue is nuts. He cant get ahead of both Byrne and Prendergast at Leinster and isnt ahead of Tector or Osborne to get games at 12 or 15 either. This is a wild call.

almostover · 19-02-2026 12:05AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124247039#Comment_124247039

I'd fully back VdF to follow in James Lowe's footsteps and put in a big performance on Saturday.

I'm annoyed about the potential Izzy demotion. We have a big chance to dismantle England's lineout as they only have 2 lineout options selected to start. And Joe McCarthy is getting one chance too many IMO.

almostover · 19-02-2026 12:08AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124247062#Comment_124247062

Thats the most puzzling thing about a Frawley selection. We already have a very good utility back in Crowley who's also a much better 10 than Frawley. Having Crowley in a matchday squad facilitates a specialist 10 replacement on the bench.

almostover · 19-02-2026 12:13AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124247165#Comment_124247165

It's really bloody annoying if Izzy isn't starting. He went well vs. Italy and he's a perfect like for like replacement for Baird who's injured. That's a perfect combination vying for the 6 jersey for Ireland. Baird was going great in the autumn and was unfortunate with his injury but Izzy was good last weekend and this game would suit his skill set perfectly.

almostover · 19-02-2026 12:18AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124247395#Comment_124247395

We have versatility, Jack Crowley is starting! For example if Osborne goes off then Jack goes to 15 and Harry / Sam comes on at 10. Ditto if big Stu goes off. That's the benefit of Crowley.

It seems like Farrell is giving Jack 80 mins in the 10 position on Saturday come hell or high water!

Jelly Welly · 19-02-2026 12:29AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124247396#Comment_124247396

do you not realise how awful Prendergast has been for Ireland and Leinster? He’s done. He doesn’t even look anything like a rugby player. He’s like a beanpole with no pace. Playing 10 at a high level is simply beyond someone with his physique.

inbloom427 · 19-02-2026 12:32AM

The VDF situation is different than Lowe though, as he was brought back in when Stockdale didn't go well against France (setting aside the fact that very few did, the tactics were atrocious, others are given endless opportunities, and going well against Italy at home - or not, in other cases - is hardly equal to playing this France team on song).

VDF being brought back in after the "kick up the backside" despite others playing well is just awful. Recipe for disaster, alongside sticking with the other old favourites…

phog · 19-02-2026 12:34AM

What has Joe McCarthy done to keep his spot, he has been well below par in the two games so far.

almostover · 19-02-2026 12:39AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124247446#Comment_124247446

That's a bit of a mad take. He hasn't been good in this 6N but he could well be back in the mix before the tournament is out and for Leinster's CC campaign. He's definitely not done.

fitz · 19-02-2026 01:27AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124246552#Comment_124246552

He had a terrible December that season. If there's any revisionism going on here it's your assessment of his form at the time. I said at the time it wasn't his fault, I think he spent that season putting himself under ferocious pressure to carry a team that was not performing because of the Rowntree situation. I'd argue (and I think I have previously) that he was the most negatively impacted player at Munster by what was going on with the coaching, and that he deserved a break in terms of the criticism he was getting at the time for that form, but to say he was playing well just doesn't wash.

Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

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