Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

Always remember this from Ferg after Drico's last home game for Ireland:

Agree, Andy is the one at fault here, he trains and picks the team and he's supposed to do that to the best of his abilities because that's what he is paid to do. If the team is in trouble due to lack of confidence or not being ready for international duties then he hasn't fulfilled his role as head coach of the team

As an aside I think pinning the performance against Italy on one or 2 players is also unfair and I'd have been happier to see Farrell pick 20- 23 different players based on last weeks performance

Awful selection but at least it might be the "kick up the arse" Farrell needs. England will batter us

Interesting call to bring Frawley in… I see the plan to bring 3rd choice Leinster players into the squad continues, despite it not having worked in the past. Byrne would be a much better selection

Did Mack Hansen have a point on The Tommy Tiernan Show? Are Irish people some of the most negative people about? This thread would definitely support that hypothesis.

That overall selection just feels like Izuchukwu could have played like prime Kaino and still wouldn't have been retained. Really dont like a starting flanker (yes he's a lock) having to cover 2nd row. The benefit of edogbo last week was that he added fresh grunt off the bench. In a game against england your 6 isn't going to be fresh after 55/60 minutes and if our scrum is already in trouble then I can't see any improvement from someone shifting to lock, whereas a fresh lock off the bench could add something.

Izzy played well last week. He was our best lineout forward and would have scored a try had Ringrose (who keeps his place surprise, surprise) not thrown him a shocker of a pass.

I don't understand the amount of stick Beirne is getting of late. He won 5 turnovers vs France and was our top tackler. He was easily the best player in our pack. Ryan was the tighthead lock when Furlong got air lifted against Italy.

The selection for England is very poor, especially in the pack, but it's not Beirne being chosen I'd have an issue with. It's VdF being picked ahead of Timoney, McCarthy getting another shot and Conan not starting that I'd be questioning.

I genuinely think some of the negative stuff posted on here is worse than on X.

With regards to the team, I would have liked to see Izzy make the 23 but Timoney has shown he can be excellent off the bench already. Not convinced on Edogbo’s aerobic fitness especially if he had to come on early and I expect Twickenham is not the place to find out with England likely putting the ball in behind us frequently.

Can see why he’s gone for a 5/3. Ringrose obviously isn’t 100% and Baloucoune has a history of frequent injury. I’d expect TOB to cover wing and 13. I’d be worried about having Osborne or Frawley having to cover 13 at this level due to their relative lack of pace. Frawley offers cover at 12 and 15 in big Stu has to go off rather than rejigging the whole backline by moving Osborne in.

Loughman is lucky enough to hold onto his place but we don’t have many alternatives at the moment. Sheehan is a better option than Kelleher for the lineout if we are looking to attack off that platform. Casey keeps his bench spot due to Doak’s inexperience at this level although I’m hoping we see him against Wales.

My only hope is he might do the right thing and walk at the end of 6 nations if it all goes badly wrong .

Edogbo was out of feet after 5 mins and he only played 10mins. He would not be help this week.

Just not at this level unfortunately

Edogbo always looks gassed! It just the way he carries himself