Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

I think his kicking has tapered off; about 18 months to 2 years ago it was much better, imo. His form too has dipped too, but he was excellent back then, imo.

I also think he needs more minutes vs Tier 1 nations. Outside of the Italy game, his minutes in 7 of his last 8 Tier 1 games, in reverse chronological order are: 9, 8, 8, 10, 13, 15 and 7. That amounts to 70 minutes across 7 caps, but you're really not giving him any opportunity to influence the game.

But the obvious one, imo, is his decision making; which is exactly the thing that JGP improved dramatically to make him the player he is today.

I really don't think it's accurate the suggest Casey, at only 26, has hit his ceiling yet. I doubt any player has, tbh.

So what you’re telling us is that we would have conceded more scores if we didn’t defend as well as we did or if we were playing against better opposition.

Watching Against the Head and Jackman did a piece on Ireland's work at the breakdown. There were some outstanding examples of insanely accurate clean outs that prevented turnovers.

JvdF on Pollock when JGP made the break.

Ryan on Genge.

Ringrose, Lowe, Furlong, Loughman other examples of note.

Yes and he could well be picked to bench vs. Wales. I'm just saying that I think it would be better to go with Sam, especially in a 5/3 bench. It's a good opportunity to give him time to steer the ship home v Wales to rebuild his confidence.

I can see how they could go with Sam starting against Wales.

It would be harsh on Crowley but you tell him he's definitely getting the Scotland game.

What other upcoming game can they get Sam back in the team? Wales are the weakest we'll face for a while.

SP needs to rebuild at Leinster first and be clear first choice 10 there (which he is not)

I have ears and enjoy listening to him. Each to their own.

Robbo is great! Do you have link for the game?

Bundee didn’t impress much this season so I can’t see him coming in. But maybe he plays for Connacht this weekend and then it can be assessed.

Baloucoune wouldn’t have got a shot had Hansen and Keenan not been injured. Yes he was injured last season but there was also a period around 2021-23 when he was unplayable but hardly got a look in because he didn’t “fit the system”. He’s 28 now which for a winger is on the older side so his best years are likely behind him. McCloskey made his debut a decade ago. He’s now 33 years of age and only now is he getting a proper go. Now you could say “oh but we’ve had Aki and Henshaw”, but I’d argue that what Stu is delivering now is better than anything Henshaw has delivered in a long long time. Imagine the impact he could have made if he was given a go sooner. Same goes for Nick Timoney.

I just worry that with a lot of the “next crop”, we’ll find ourselves in a similar situation, with them only getting a shot in the twilight of their career when it’s forced upon the coach, and we find ourselves realising that they’re actually good players who can make an impact at test level and wondering what if that had gotten a chance sooner