Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

We traditionally do not beat wales by big numbers in the 6 nations,

We traditionally allow bad teams to drag us down to their level and end up limping over the line against sides we’re much better than. Wales haven’t won a 6N game this World Cup cycle. They’ve won 2 games since the World Cup, both against Japan. They’re the worst team in the tournament. We’re at home, off the back of a great performance, with a strong, experienced team out.

Personally , I think a 20 point win would be pretty underwhelming considering what France and England did to them. Do we not see ourselves as being on their level?

It's a peculiar kink for Irleand though, even in our absolute pomp we rarely put very big scores on weaker teams, but we put the squeeze on big teams quite often. England, France, SA and the ABs included.

"Farrell needs to build depth".

Farrell makes changes to try and build depth

"No, not that depth."

The "doesn't count" argument baffles me. As though a player can only show what he can do with a prolonged spell in a full-strength team against Tier 1 opposition? And of course, if he gets a chance through another player's injury or suspension, that "doesn't count" either.

You looked bang average against England A? Don't worry, here's the starting jersey against the Springboks, just go out and enjoy yourself! What could go wrong?

The reality is that some players get a chance and seize it, others do not. That upset a few people last time I said it but it remains the case.

Tom Farrell seized his chance; I doubt Andy Farrell is blind to the fact that Tom is 32 years old but presumably he doesn't think Postlethwaite is there yet. The other names that get thrown around for centre (Gavin, Forde, Cooney) are grand players but not remotely hard done by. Maybe I don't watch enough Connacht to judge the first two but nothing I've seen of Cooney tells me this is a guy we need to fast-track into the Ireland set-up.

We have loads of depth in the centre. If people are just bored of looking at the same names on the team-sheet, that is a different issue. Shiny New Thing Syndrome is grand for internet chat but it's no basis for picking a rugby team.

It's the day of Six Nations game, our back-line replacements have a grand total of 12 caps between them when there are a lot more experienced players available. What more do we want?

Osborne has no divine right to the 12 jersey. If he's the best man for it he'll get the jersey. No doubt he will get a chance, most likely somewhere in those six Nations Championship matches, but McCloskey has waited long enough for his chance, taking the jersey off him so casually would be the sort of s**** call that thankfully Farrell isn't overly prone to.