Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

bilston · 27-02-2026 04:25PM

I'm not a Munster or Leinster fan and I'd have zero issues with ROG as Ireland coach, but the fact is Brian Ashton was the last Irish coach appointed from outside the system, and the fact that anyone under the age of 35 will be saying "Brian who?" tells you all you need to know about the likelihood of ROG being appointed unless he takes an IRFU role of some description first. The chances of ROG getting his ducks in a row in this regard this side of 2028 seem fairly remote.

Personally I think Easterby will be the next Irish coach, although as an Ulster fan I'll be interested in how Richie Murphy goes over the next couple of years, although this is probably a world cup cycle too soon for him. As much as it pains me I wouldn't be that shocked if he ended up in Leinster halfway through the next cycle (he is a Leinsterman after all) and then we'd see.

AbusesToilets · 27-02-2026 04:54PM

Would not want Easterby for the head coach position. I don't think he's shown much of anything to warrant it.

Former Former Former · 27-02-2026 05:05PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124269918#Comment_124269918

I would not be at all surprised if Murphy is the chosen one and Ulster is his apprenticeship

bilston · 27-02-2026 05:10PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124269975#Comment_124269975

Based on last year's Six Nations?

It's a relatively small smaple size and we did play well in the first two games and he did win a Triple Crown, however we did seem to regress as the championship progressed. Farrell didn't exactly knock it out of the park in his first year as head coach and he came good. I'm not really sure how I feel about Easterby, I haven't made my mind up one way or the other, but I think he is the most likely successor right now.

ersatz · 27-02-2026 05:20PM

Regarding Easterby, selecting a guy with no head coaching experience other than a season the Andy was away seems risky.

Podge_irl · 27-02-2026 05:32PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124270055#Comment_124270055

Worked out fine for Farrell? He had even less than that!

Though I know many of us (me included) were skeptical at the time.

AbusesToilets · 27-02-2026 05:54PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124270078#Comment_124270078

Farrell had broader experience though. Went from the English 2015 ticket to Schmidt's 2019 one.

Former Former Former · 27-02-2026 05:55PM

Easterby was head coach of the Scarlets

50HX · 27-02-2026 05:59PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124270008#Comment_124270008

In head coach terms as of now he's still wet behind the years.

The majority of his coaching career has been as a skills & coaching.

I'm not taking away from his u20 work nor the turn around at Ulster but if for some reason the improvement at Ulster stalls is he still in the conversation post RWC?

There's alot of water to pass yet inc Farrell turning down an offer to stay on which I assume he will get if he hasn't lined up a different direction.

ionadnapóca · 27-02-2026 06:45PM

2023 World Cup, first three rounds

Total players used: 29. In starting XVs: 20. Players to have started all three games: 10. Players who have played 240 minutes: 4 (Beirne, Lowe, Aki, Keenan).

2025 Six Nations, first three rounds

Total players used: 27. In starting XVs: 23. Players to have started all three games: 6. Players who have played 240 minutes: 3 (Beirne, Van der Flier, Lowe).

2026 Six Nations, first three rounds

Total players used: 30. In starting XVs: 24. Players to have started all three games: 7. Players who have played 240 minutes: 2 (Doris, McCloskey).

2027 World Cup, first three rounds

v Portugal 4th Oct

v Scotland 10th Oct

v Uruguay 17th Oct

Targets:

Total players used: 30 33. In starting XVs: 20 29.

Players to start all three games: 10 0 .

Players who will have played 240 minutes: 4 0

beggars_bush · 27-02-2026 06:47PM

Lack of Irish coaches in foreign rugby leagues and national teams is an issue

FtD v2 · 27-02-2026 07:04PM

If we have a poor RWC in 2027 then there’s a chance the IRFU will argue that they need to change the mould slightly and do things differently to how they did it before, so I could absolutely see ROG being in the mix even if he never works in Irish rugby before then.

I would fully expect ROG to be in the mix and while he wouldn’t necessarily be my first choice, I would obviously support him 100% if he got the gig, and could easily see him doing a great job if he got it. He’s an excellent coach who can definitely pick a gameplan to maximise the strengths of his squad and he’s undoubtedly a superb motivator of players.

I think he should have left LAR last season when there seemed to be plenty of opportunities to do so as it looks like things have gotten stale there now.

AbusesToilets · 27-02-2026 07:48PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124270279#Comment_124270279

I think we have a pretty strong cohort currently, just not as head coaches. We're also somewhat only now seeing that first-ish generation of fully professional players becoming coaches.

phog · 27-02-2026 07:52PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124270279#Comment_124270279

Some former Munster players who are coaching or coached abroad

Flannery, Donnacha Ryan, ROG, Prendergast, James Coughlan, Felix Jones, Dougall

(Other former Munster players who coached, Mossie Lalor, POC, Mick O'Driscoll, Dutchy, Jim Williams)

Others that coached or are coaching abroad Girvan Dempsey, Mark McCall, Noel Mc, John Muldoon, Johnny Bell, Nigel Carolan, Jackman, Justin Fitzpatrick, Jeremy Davidson

shimmieandshake · 27-02-2026 08:04PM

https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/six-nations/doubts-over-futures-of-james-lowe-bundee-aki-and-jamison-gibson-park-as-trio-offered-to-english-and-french-clubs/a803126975.html

Has anybody read this Indo article? Behind a paywall, so I can't read, but I'm hoping the content isn't as worrying as the headline?

Would be a great time for Bundee to leave, and Lowe to a lesser extent. But we surely want to be doing everything to keep JGP?

50HX · 27-02-2026 08:07PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124270279#Comment_124270279

Not lack of coaches....lack of head coaches.

Its a particular skillset that not many coaches posses.

There isn't that many irish head coaches around...plenty of skills,attack & backs coaches though

FtD v2 · 27-02-2026 08:26PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124270465#Comment_124270465

It’s by that spoofer ROC so comes with a shovel of salt, but cannot imagine they aren’t doing everything imaginable to keep JGP.

He is arguably as important to the national team as any player in Irish rugby. I can’t think of another position where the gap to second choice is so stark, and in one of the most pivotal positions on the field.

bilston · 27-02-2026 08:34PM

I think JGP is that important that I actually wouldn't be that surprised if Ireland made an exception and kept picking him if he did go abroad.

ersatz · 27-02-2026 08:46PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124270525#Comment_124270525

ROC got a scoop on the razor story and is looking for another one. His story about Farrell was brutally slapped down by Saracens.

mfceiling · 27-02-2026 08:52PM

As an Ulster fan I'd have absolutely no issues with ROG becoming the next head coach.

However, unlike at LAR, he can't suddenly find 145 kg Irish props or 6ft 8 135kg second rows or magic some mercurial backs with outstanding handling and running skills.

We've a relatively small playing group and it's fair to say we punch well above our weight in world rugby terms.

The IRFU aren't exactly known for their ability to look externally for the coaching ticket but I suppose none of us know what might happen if and when Andy decides to call it a day.

Podge_irl · 27-02-2026 08:57PM

I have zero personal issue with ROG being the Ireland coach. If he got it and was successful happy days. I have reservations about his ability to adapt to international rugby but you kinda only learn by doing there.

I have zero interest in the circus he makes of things frequently and I imagine the IRFU are of a similar bent. However I have no clue who they would look at instead. Might well just be Andy again...

eagle eye · 27-02-2026 10:04PM

ROG is not going to be Ireland head coach because I dint believe he'll ever want it, maybe in his late sixties.

As regards his outbursts and I've said it already, look at Rassie and you'll see exactly what he's at. It's not losing the head it's on purpose. Veer the negative press towards himself and away from his players.

Yeah_Right · 27-02-2026 10:57PM

I've heard stories from multiple people in rugby that ROG won't be coaching in Ireland for a good few years for financial reasons. I have no evidence just stories from several sources.