Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

Absolutely not. He was responsible for a try, missing a straight up tackle and has already showed that against better opposition, he's not great. I don't think he can be compared to the likes of Baloucoune. My previous comment was more a commentary of how Andy Farrell operates, than a commentary on his talent.

If this was a tighter game against better opposition, that missed tackle could have been costly.

Sorry for having an opposite opinion. But the narrative here that one good game in 2 years means everything is fine and everyone else is wrong is exactly the type of binary thinking that marks you as someone not worth arguing with. It's not like you'll ever change, you seem incapable. I don't like being negative after a win, but this kind of dribble demands a response.

Personally starting to think a back line of the following looks very tasty indeed:

JGP, Crowley, Hansen, McCloskey, Osborne, Baloucoune and Keenan.

Would require Hansen switching across, and Osborne getting more gametime at 13, but I really like the look of this.

Some stadium to hold an atmosphere.

TOB has to be be

TOB has to be in the race, he was fantastic today, stellar performance, quick, good under the high ball and what a work rate. Hansen has some work to do.

Just back from Twickenham...

I don't remember ever enjoying a match quite like that before - I was in Marseille in 2023 and while amazing there is something very special about beating England in Twickenham, especially an England team seemingly on the way up.

Perhaps its all the doom & gloom online. In the press, here, on reddit etc. but that team proved alot of people wrong today and I'm delighted.

I'm sure the usual armchair experts will no doubt find something to complain about - but it seems Andy Farrel might just know what he's doing after all.

Who'd have thunk it 🤷‍♂️

As evidence changes opinions can change.

S

VDF had a great game after watching last week from the stands. Maybe Ringrose is the next one who needs to be dropped for a match or two. He was great in defense today but again, his inability to pass off his left is an ongoing difficulty in our attack. A fantastic start today made such a difference, England never settled into the match and their confidence drained away as a result. I was thrilled with the offloading game we played, not everything came off but the intention was brilliant. McCloskey is made for that game. Then clicking into phase play as an alternative started to make this team look extremely dangerous. Looks like we can bank some real progress if this continues.

Query. Pollock got a yellow today. Just previously, Furlong could have been carded for foul play. Presumably, Pollock yellow card would have been rescinded if they had penalized Furlong?

Just about to come on here and admit error in judgement. Outstanding today. I'm all in on TOB

thought Ford missing touch and getting dead 2 penos very early on was a huge help to us.