Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

I specifically said Postlethwaite was an example and I don't want to get into the detail on whether he is going to be the long term replacement. The point was about the principle of accepting that an investment probably won't pay out straight away. If they paid out straight away, it wouldn't be an investment, it would be playing your strongest team.

Ireland seem to have plenty of 12s, Gavin, Postelthwaite, Forde etc all 12's and will never have the gas to cover the 13 channel in defense at the highest level. 13 is the position I'd be more worried about we have no real competition for Ringrose. But I agree Henshaw shouldnt be remotely close to that Ireland squad atm.

If Keenan wasnt injured I wouldve liked Osbourne to be getting minutes at 13.

Gavin has been playing 13 for Connacht recently until his injury....played on the wing for Ireland u20s...definitely has the pace for 13....much faster than Osborne.....whether he will be good enough is the question

Keenan was a nailed on starter for the Lions last summer and is missing the 6Ns with a broken thumb.

Wouldn't be retiring him just yet pal. He is straight back in at FB when fit.

Is that the same Kinghorn who started the 3rd test on the wing while Keenan stayed at full back?

Sure, he was definitely the nailed on starter there

I suspect that Keenan's recent absence will see him return stronger than before and ultimately extend his time as Ireland's first choice 15. His body will have gotten time to recover from the hip issue plus lots of general wear and tear which goes unnoticed but builds up over time. He'll be starting from a great place to build up to the WC.

Per Gerry Thornley in the IT we’re going to see a lot of changes again:

Jamie Osborne, Rob Baloucoune, Garry Ringrose, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale, Jack Crowley, Jamison Gibson Park, Tom O’Toole, Ronan Kelleher, Tadhg Furlong, James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne, Jack Conan, Nick Timoney, Caelan Doris

Reps: Tom Stewart, Michael Milne, Tom Clarkson, Joe McCarthy, Josh Van der Flier, Nathan Doak or Craig Casey, Ciaran Frawley, Tom Farrell or Bundee Aki

I think it’s harsh on Tommy O’Brien not to start given how good he was in Twickenham. Can’t think of the last time Stockdale turned in a performance like that in green.

Happy for Timoney to start, he’s earned it.

Loughman unlucky to lose out too IMO, and this continued O’Toole thing at LhP is strange.

I don’t love the Bundee or Tom Farrell inclusion in the 23 shirt either and don’t see the logic of it.

Murray Kinsella saying the same as GT.

Even as an Ulster supporting Jacob Stockdale fan I'd have to say that would be a tough call on O'Brien, although perhaps Farrell is taking the view that TOB had a chance to redeem himself after Paris, maybe Stockdale should get the same, there's also the left foot aspect. But I'm still surprised if that happens.