Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

aloooof · 24-02-2026 10:16AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124261227#Comment_124261227

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.

lalababa · 24-02-2026 12:18PM

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.

sydthebeat · 24-02-2026 12:24PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124261585#Comment_124261585

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

KrustyUCC · 24-02-2026 12:28PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124260685#Comment_124260685

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

sydthebeat · 24-02-2026 12:32PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124261622#Comment_124261622

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.

Felexicon · 24-02-2026 01:25PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124261622#Comment_124261622

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

ionadnapóca · 24-02-2026 01:32PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124261622#Comment_124261622

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124261800#Comment_124261800

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)-

FtD v2 · 24-02-2026 01:46PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124261820#Comment_124261820

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.

ionadnapóca · 24-02-2026 01:54PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124261865#Comment_124261865

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.

KrustyUCC · 24-02-2026 01:57PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124261820#Comment_124261820

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

standardg60 · 24-02-2026 01:59PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124261820#Comment_124261820

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.

P.Walnuts · 24-02-2026 02:01PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124261891#Comment_124261891

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

sydthebeat · 24-02-2026 02:04PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124261891#Comment_124261891

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.

ionadnapóca · 24-02-2026 02:05PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124261896#Comment_124261896

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.

FtD v2 · 24-02-2026 02:05PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124261891#Comment_124261891

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.

Former Former Former · 24-02-2026 02:06PM

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.

P.Walnuts · 24-02-2026 02:06PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124261916#Comment_124261916

This

Ben Bailey · 24-02-2026 02:08PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124260957#Comment_124260957

Barney Spender is the world's greatest commentator

ionadnapóca · 24-02-2026 02:14PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124261900#Comment_124261900

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124261906#Comment_124261906

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.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124261916#Comment_124261916

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)

Podge_irl · 24-02-2026 02:21PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124261201#Comment_124261201

I think his ban is still running for the Connacht game?

Podge_irl · 24-02-2026 02:25PM

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.

lawrencesummers · 24-02-2026 02:49PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124261955#Comment_124261955

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.“

Podge_irl · 24-02-2026 02:52PM

Ah I forgot the last URC game before the 6N

TRC10 · 24-02-2026 02:56PM

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.

AbusesToilets · 24-02-2026 03:03PM

Wales are a dogged team, but folks are reading too much into last year's game. We had player off for a decent chunk, and were playing poorly throughout the tournament as a whole. We can't continue to fail to use 6Ns games to build depth, especially a year out from the WC. We can field a very competitive team and make changes

DBK1 · 24-02-2026 03:15PM

I think both Milne and Stockdale must be feeling hard done by since the French game. Milne never put a foot wrong in his time on the pitch and Stockdale was asked to play a game that doesn’t suit his style. I’d like see both of them get a start with Stockdale at 15, move Osbourne to the centre and give Ringrose a rest.

After Jonny Sextons comments last week about having four 10’s in the squad then surely Harry Byrne would be entitled to feel disappointed if he doesn’t at least get a bench spot for Wales.

shootermacg · 24-02-2026 04:51PM

Mod Edit

Warning issued.

crisco10 · 24-02-2026 04:55PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124261227#Comment_124261227

its easily forgotten, but Balacoune (and McCloskey) started against SA in November 2022 in what was the then #1 ranked team v World Champs. It was the marquee fixture that Autumn. Farrell has rated Balacoune for years…His problem is that he averaged less than 10 games per season since turning pro.

ersatz · 24-02-2026 05:35PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124260488#Comment_124260488

Something we've seen this season is that players from the provinces other than Leinster are plenty capable of excelling at test level, but many have never played a European knockout; for Ulster its 7 years since they played in a 1/4, Munster haven't seen a semi in 6 years while Connacht are getting to knockouts only in the challenge cup. Using Europe as a measure for whether players are 'ready' is unrealistic given the performance of the provinces. But we can see form the Ulster lads that they're more than ready. I'm not disagreeing with eh observation about refining their game in green rather than at the club, but the Irish coaches do need to recognise that waiting for guys to perform a the highest level simply isn't happening for a lot of our players.

almostover · 24-02-2026 05:48PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124261916#Comment_124261916

I'd make one change to your starting 15, Timoney for VdF. He has earned a start and 60 mins to show that he is the man to challenge VdF for the 7 jersey for the next 18 months.

I'd rather see a 5/3 bench of Kelleher, Milne, Furlong, Edogbo, VdF, Casey, S. Prendergast, Stockdale.

Bryn Ward will get his chance in the summer series of the nations cup, that's the competition to introduce him at this level. Not in a must win home 6N tie vs. Wales. I rate him very highly, I just think we need to pay Wales some respect and go with as strong a hand as we can.

Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

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