yeah, he’s a decent commentator.
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
Or ryle "tommy boweeeeeeeeeeee" Nugent !!
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.
The issue might not be speed of pass but the way Casey delays until he has the 10 in his sights.
JGP during phase play gives players no choice or time to make a decision he just hits whoever is out there, Casey tends to always look for the 10.
It’s very obvious to watch at times and that increase in recycle and distribution is not defendable in phase play as long as the attacking team don’t make handling errors
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
Baloucoune wouldn’t have got a shot had Hansen and Keenan not been injured.
Even if we grant you this, after Hansen and Keenan's injuries, TOB was in possession of the jersey. He was dropped for Baloucoune.
Similar thing happened on the other wing without injuries; Lowe was dropped for Stockdale. If you're going to mention it only happening because of injuries on one wing, it seems to me you have to acknowledge it happening on the other without.
Same thing with McCloskey in the Autumn; Aki was available, but McCloskley was selected as our defacto starter and has since kept the jersey.
(You could also add in stuff likely Timoney getting more time from the bench, and unlucky not to get a start, Izuchukwu starting vs Italy, and Edogbo on the bench too).
I was as critical as anyone with regards his conservatism last season (and regularly getting my Ireland fan credentials questioned on here). But there's plenty of evidence that he's being much more progressive this season, even if it is coming when guys like Baloucoune and McCloskey are later into their career.
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.
Of course he will. It's the six nations not a July tour game. He dropped lads against France and Italy in order to get a response from them, which he did with aplomb.
No reason now not to continue that progress with them.
Hopefully we see some freshness on the bench. id love see edogbo get another run out against a flagging Welsh defense. That's certainly possible if he reverts to 6/2 with Casey and frawley on the bench
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
Completely agree that Jack should start the next game, but we have been vocal in the need to go into the next RWC with two valid options in the 10 shirt.
Sam right now is obviously not in the right head space due to all that ignorant online abuse, but I can certainly see him get some minutes from the bench before the end of the competition. No better man than farrell to build him back up.
After that out will be interesting to see how the minutes are shared between July and November, and if byrne or frawley appear as valid options.
If byrne and frawley don't appear as valid options for the reserve jersey, given the current situation, than that is completely on them. They may never get a better chance to stake a claim.
Ah yeah, it's not the most likely scenario but don't think it's outside the realms of possibility.
How about this? Start both JC and Harry Byrne with SP on the bench!
Bearing in mind Wales are not as good as Eng or Italy, they dont have a FT defence coach. (Tandy combining roles assisted by Dan Lydiate) and R-Z will also be masquerading as FB.
JC; Baloucoune, Osborne, McCloskey, O'Brien; Byrne, JGP.
Bench: Tom Stewart, Milne, Clarkson, Edogbo, Bryn Ward*, Doak*, SP, Zac Ward*.
-Ringrose looked wrecked coming off (54min) and I think he played the game on a leg and a half-
-Osborne went to 13 (63min) when he came back on after YC (53min)-
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.
How about this? Start both JC and SP with HB on the bench!
Bearing in mind Wales are not as good as Eng or Italy……
JC; Baloucoune, Osborne, McCloskey, O'Brien; SP, JGP.
Bench: Tom Stewart, Milne, Clarkson, Edogbo, Bryn Ward*, Doak*, HB, Zac Ward* (he can still get called up) or Frawley.
v
Bench: Kelleher, TOT, Bealham, Beirne, Timoney, Casey, Frawley, Stockdale.
(I'd be keen to get SP back involved. Confidence boost etc)
you now what Im getting at! Ireland do not need the latter to get over the line v Wales.
i wouldn't like the idea of Crowley at 15 as he won't be there long term and needs a run at 10
Interesting idea though
Osborne only went to 13 because Frawley was on the bench to cover FB.
Frawley will be on the bench again, TOB in for Lowe and Stockdale to cover wing.
In the unlikely event Ringrose is out, Osborne 13, Frawley 15, and Aki to the bench.
I don't see Andy changing much after last weekend.
This would be a pretty terrible idea tbh.
We took Wales a little lightly last year and nearly paid for it.
Would like to see Edogbo and Ward involved but lets not go mental.
Its probably quite important now to give JC a good run at 10
where is this need to shoehorn crowley in as a full back coming from?? its completely unnecessary in my view.
so far over the last 3 games we have dropped 4 regular starters, given 5 players their 6 nations debut and given one player their full debut. All in a time of an injury crisis.
i think we are doing excellent squad depth building already so far.
Getting more minutes into Edogbo, TOB, Balou, C Prendergast and Izzy would be my goal for the next 2 games.
Yeah it not going to happen moving JC to FB. Im just spit balling - Osborne is going to be needed for either the 13 or 12 or 23 jersey in the medium term when Keenan and Hansen come back.
Plus it would be a sour note for SP to finish up on if he isn't given minutes in the Welsh game.
Nah, as I said, I think there's more value in just letting Crowley get more gametime in the 10 shirt and keen bedding in partnerships.
My team for Wales would be:
(15-9,1-8):
Osborne, Baloucoune, Ringrose, McCloskey, T O'Brien, Crowley, Gibson-Park, Loughman, Sheehan, Clarkson, Ryan, McCarthy, Beirne, van der Flier, Doris
Reps: Kelleher, O'Toole, Furlong, Edogbo, B Ward, Timoney, Doak, Frawley
Wouldn't be surprised to see one of Izuchukwu or C Prendergast there instead of Bryn Ward though.
For Scotland, I'd be bringing Furlong back in to start, Conan back into the bench and rest on form.
I'd like to see Sam Prendergast getting 20 mins from the bench against a (hopefully) beaten Welsh team, and likewise for Edogbo, and presumably Conan will come in, so that would mean Cian Prendergast and Timoney missing out, which would be harsh particularly on Timoney.
TOB presumably will start for Lowe and I hope I'm wrong but I suspect Aki will take TOB's place on the bench.
This
Barney Spender is the world's greatest commentator
Ok! Ok! Im not taking Wales too likely btw. The Welsh were arguably a better side last year. The starting Irish team would blow them off the park.
Its a good team. I agree for JC; it would be better for him to keep going at 10. On the other hand, I dont think it would knock anything off of him to try him at FB.
The bench though. I hope the days of 6/2 are gone! (7/2 I have a mental block when writing a bench with only 2 backs. I keep writing 7/2!!)
The English match was the perfect example of why 5/3 suits Ireland far better. (23. TOB for Lowe)
I think his ban is still running for the Connacht game?
If Crowley goes down tomorrow Prendergast is going to come back in. On that basis alone I'd rather see him on the bench to get some minutes. We don't need a 6-2 against either Wales or Scotland and I really hoped the days of Frawley covering 10 were over.
was it not a 3 game ban?!
4 game. Last one was England
“Aki was handed with a six game ban, however two of those games were suspended, meaning he will miss Connacht's URC clash with Zebre, followed by Ireland's opening three Six Nations games against France, Italy and England.“
Ah I forgot the last URC game before the 6N
Nobody is saying we should change the entire 23 for Wales. But not using this as an opportunity to give maybe Ward or Doak a debut off the bench, or Edogbo or Izzy some more exposure, or try someone else at 13, would be a massive missed opportunity imo.
