Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

*”to maintain his place on the bench”

Doak's 10 minutes off the bench is the quickest I've seen someone anointed on here I think!

That said I wouldn't object to him benching over Casey, we need more depth at 9.

what is it with Ireland and Friday night games…really makes it difficult to go to for anyone down the country

Scotland's 2 first choice locks ruled out of our game, kyle steyn a major doubt. The pendulum is swinging

A pity for Loughman and probably that last time he makes a squad if all props are fit. Fair play to him this 6 nations, was pretty good when called upon.

No because he didn't reach the tryline. A player can dive in the act of scoring a try but Sheehan was well short so it's a penalty for jumping over a tackler.

He doesn't - it's plain and simple. Even still, I'd have Edogbo higher than him, and it's clear the coaches rate Cian Prendergast more highly right now.

We'll have one of a few different configurations this weekend:

-we'll either go with Beirne & Ryan at 4 & 5 again, with McCarthy on the bench, and another back rower (likely Timoney or VDF)

or

-we'll go with Ryan & McCarthy at 4 & 5, with Beirne at 6, in which case he'll probably go for Conan and one of Timoney or VDF on the bench.

Izuchukwu was okay against Italy, but hasn't done enough to show he deserves to feature this coming weekend.

I thought he was better than just OK, he played well in the lineout and in the loose. I don't think he makes the 1st choice 23 currently but I wouldn't downplay his efforts against Italy.

I think doak did very well in the time he got and should keep his place.

Don't think Stockade should start over TOB and I don't see how anyone thinks he performed well enough at the weekend to have him selected. TOB and Balacoune played exceptionally well together in twickenham and TOB dominated in the air relative to Stockdale's performance on Saturday. There is probably not much in it but the manner in which TOB covered ground and showed up on the other wing was something that was very obviously missing on Saturday. Maybe it was a lack of game management or directed tactics but Ireland played a narrow game against Wales which allowed their defence to determine how the game went, we actually need some width and speed outside to deal with that, something TOB and Balacoune had done really successfully against England.

Think we will batter their pack given missing both starting second rows. We will go big and bench will finish them off.

Wasn't released back to Ulster so fingers crossed he stays in.