Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

Be interesting to see what happens at 7 for the Wales game. Expect it'll be VdF starting, but there's a case for Timoney to start, or for Bryn Ward on the bench.

Does his contract with IRFU expire next year?

Presumably it will be extended!

What age could he continue to play to where he would still be the best option? 36/37/38?

I suspect he will go to Japan or France for end of career dollars but who knows , he looks to have plenty of longevity but we know that can turn quite rapidly at that stage

Casey gives the ten an excellent chance to shine… or not shine.

His contract is finished in June. Hard to know will he get the money that he wants in Ireland. I don't know how negotiations are dealt with these days, but you would suspect that with Leinster picking up 70% on his salary on his next contract they won't be too keen to commit to 2 years when his final year would see him playing for Ireland for most of the season and at that age he could pick up a career ending injury or have a big dip in form.

I dunno if I'd share your view on the runners and riders necessarily.

I don't think Casey is the "best number 2 scrum half by a margin" in all honesty. He absolutely should be, he's older and more experienced, but I wouldn't dismiss Doak as not ever becoming a world class 9 when he's just 24, because I think it's less likely Casey ever gets to that level.

I don't share your optimism on Gunne unfortunately either. Just haven't seen enough from him, even with a decent amount of game time this year. He's not seizing his opportunities at all, and thought he was close to one of the worst players on the field in the recent Ireland A game v England.

JGP's performance at the weekend though does really underline the importance of getting his central contract wrapped to the end of the RWC. Just pay the man and give him what he wants; I don't think there is any position where the step down is so stark.

surprised no Stockdale.

lowe must have a serious enough injury

They must not have been doing the business in training eh

Absent injuries I think you should brace yourself for some disappointment then.

I think it's hugely unlikely all of Stewart, Milne, Murray, Byrne, Ward, Farrell & Postlethwaite are involved.

Chance obviously for guys who seem closer to the 23 like Edogbo, Prendergast, Izuchukwu to feature, but realistically probably at most one of these three guys will feature, and Cian Prendergast seems the front runner (even if that's not necessarily how I'd rank them).

Ireland A game was a terrible shambles , the format and pre training needs to be reworked as a lot of individually talented players were collectively terrible. I think Gunne has had a good season and has developed well but hasn’t had a lot of game time. Big difference being a regular starter like Casey & Doak. We have been on the opposite end of this debate for a while now so let’s just leave it as time will disclose all. For now we need to back Casey and build his confidence in Green. He’s not perfect but he’s our 2nd best and Farrell isn’t changing that view for now

I would tend to agree. Wales will be very committed in 2 weeks time and will be no pushovers. They made us look very average last year too and only for Ringrose's red card being a 20mins one we were in trouble.

Not sure what the prognosis is with Lowe. Looked like a hamstring which may end his tournament. TOB and Rob on the wing is really exciting, gives us proper pace in the outside channels. JGP and Crowley then to control the game.

I'd like to see Sam bench vs. Wales. If we're ahead with 20mins to go, Wales won't have the bench to overturn a deficit. That's an ideal opportunity for Sam to take the reins and guide the ship home. Could do his confidence the world of good. As it would for Jack should he help put us in the lead after 60mins. I wouldn't go throwing the baby out with the bath water with Sam, he may even play for Leinster this weekend coming. That plus a good spell vs. Wales could boost him back up. Same vs. Scotland, another solid bench appearance could do him the world of good. Then we can argue over who should start again in the Autumn.

Edit: I see Byrne has been released to Leinster, not Sam. Sam will definitely be benching so vs. Wales which IMO is the correct call.

Gunne can’t get ahead of an out of form and aging Luke McGrath.

That is on him and not anyone else. He was shockingly poor in the ‘A’ international and Devine (who hasn’t had a load of gametime) was a marked improvement.

I think it’s a stretch to say Gunne is the best scrumhalf behind JGP.