Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

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?

Robson’s bizarre similes grate on me a bit but I love his passion for the game. Give me that over Hugh Cahill or Conor McNamara any day

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

I hope Farell puts out his strongest team against wales. They were very close in one game (scotland?) and actually à bit unlucky against the french.

That would be a very strange way of doing business

Crowley plays well v England

Sorry next day out your dropped

Prendergast prob would play well v Wales

Sorry nxt day out your dropped again for Crowely

Farrell surely needs to reward fella in the jersey

I could see SP on the bench but I don't think he could start

Ah yeah, it's not the most likely scenario but don't think it's outside the realms of possibility.

Nah, I cannot see this happening and wouldn't see a rationale for doing it.

Just leave Crowley at 10 through the end of the tournament. I wouldn't be opposed to seeing Osborne in the centre, but don't see them bringing Harry Byrne in.

I don't think Zac Ward is even in the wider squad, so don't see any chance of him making the bench v Wales absent some more injuries.

I think the bench you've got there is too callow and inexperienced for them to take the risk (even if it is just Wales). If we got a red card or a few injuries, we've zero experience virtually in all of Milne, Edogbo, Bryn Ward, Doak & Zac Ward, and not a huge amount of experience in Stewart or Clarkson either.