Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

AbusesToilets · 09-03-2026 07:40PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124299173#Comment_124299173

No, moreso starting Conan ahead of Doris.

lawrencesummers · 09-03-2026 09:50PM

Darcy Grahem is a player you really have to target in the kicking exchanges, if your kick chase if good he won’t win a ball all day.

mcCloskey needs to spend most of the day running at Russell, Tuipolotu is a player that can be wound up and rattled.

Scotland are going to try and do a number on the scrum, if we can negate some of that it will go a long way to winning.

losing Steyn would be a massive loss to them.

An interesting game awaits

Paddy_Mag · 09-03-2026 10:36PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124299502#Comment_124299502

They have lost a few players after saturday. Both starting 2nd rows are out and Steyn is touch and go with his knee issue.

Watching the highlights on ATH and the speed of ball they had to ridiculous. Think that's where we can go after them to slow them down and force them into kicking a lot more.

Paddy_Mag · 09-03-2026 10:44PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124295591#Comment_124295591

It is an unlikely scenario but who would have thought scotland would put 50 on france. Sport can be strange at times.

At that stage of the Italy game, kicking to the corner to go for the TBP was important as every point does matter. It should never have been kicked dead from the position it was taken from. There is no guarantees we score but we lost the oppportunity.

phog · 09-03-2026 10:59PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124299651#Comment_124299651

Oh definitely we lost the opportunity to score, just as much as we lost the opportunity to score in the very same game when Dan jumped the tackle. Both players will be annoyed with themselves but I doubt they're haunted by it.

El_Duderino 09 · 10-03-2026 09:47AM

After all the selection discussions about who should and shouldn't have been picked or dropped, it's worth looking at what has actually happened.

By hook or by crook, Ireland has given decent gametime to more players than usual. If the starting team hit the ground running in France, there would mainly have been injury enforced changes from then on. But the need to look at other players has built depth and sifted some of the 'maybe good enough' players into being in serious contention for more game time or shuffled them back in the pack.

We need to think about the world cup but it's still 18 months away. This is still in the ideal window to refresh the team and they've done a good chunk of refreshing

phog · 10-03-2026 09:58AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124300207#Comment_124300207

I think that's fair and I also think, we've wasted some opportunities during previous Summer and Autumn games to do this on a broader basis but at least now the management team seem intent of moving outside their comfort zone in regards to selections, which can only be good for squad development.

Felexicon · 10-03-2026 10:31AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124299684#Comment_124299684

No thread drags the arse out of conversations about meaningless crap quite like this one

Felexicon · 10-03-2026 10:32AM

It's Scotland with a chance to build some momentum off the back of a big performance…………………….they will bottle it.

Ireland by 15+

phog · 10-03-2026 10:57AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124300327#Comment_124300327

If you think discussion on selections is meaningless then just ignore my posts rather than this snarky type resposonse, it does nothing for the discussion.

Felexicon · 10-03-2026 11:02AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124300395#Comment_124300395

Nothing to with selection discussion. A few days back and forth on whether Dan Sheehans jump or Crowleys missed touch was the worse play is tiresome for everyone.

It does nothing for the discussion

El_Duderino 09 · 10-03-2026 11:23AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124300234#Comment_124300234

Yeah but it's a balance between playing your strongest team and trying new players. If the coach tries to invest in players (which is by definition not playing the strongest team) then they're criticised for dropping X for Y when X is the better player.

Looking at the 10 discussions, the focus is on which one is better, not the fact that they're both getting gametime, experience and will have things to improve by the next Ireland camp.

The front row is less controversial because the changes were forced by injury. So the coach gets a freebie on selection, but they still get the criticism when the scrum doesn't work.

I think we can all agree they have built depth and given valuable gametime to lots of players. It's a pity about the likes of Edogbo and Izuchukwu being sent back to provinces but they have valuable experience of 6N and how they need to improve. I feel sorry for Postlethwaite not getting gametime. But overall, very positive in building towards the world cup

Lost Ormond · 10-03-2026 11:25AM

@phog @felexicon give it a rest. move on

phog · 10-03-2026 12:24PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124300493#Comment_124300493

Which is why I say they should and could have done more outside of competitive games where results don't carry the same weight as they would in the 6Ns

FtD v2 · 10-03-2026 12:51PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124300665#Comment_124300665

What about the tour to Georgia & Portugal last summer where we gave debuts to all of the following players:

Jack Aungier
Michael Milne
Tom Ahern
Darragh Murray
Alex Kendellen
Ben Murphy
Hugh Gavin
Tommy O'Brien
Shayne Bolton

and gave more minutes to all of the following young players who were on less than 5 caps prior to the tour:

Gus McCarthy
Tom Stewart
Jack Boyle
Cormac Izuchukwu
Cian Prendergast

and gave captaincy minutes to Craig Casey, and more minutes to experienced guys further down the pecking order like Max Deegan, Gavin Coombes, Nick Timoney etc.

Is that not exactly the sort of thing you're criticising the management team for above?

ionadnapóca · 10-03-2026 01:38PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124300665#Comment_124300665

I do hope and think they will get more minutes into some of the other players this Summer and Nov. Which will be competitive but really not that important.

You cant please everyone (see suggestion of getting game time into Osborne at 12!) but its now or never for the other players who wont be 33 or older at RWC (Aki, Beirne, JGP, SMcC, Conan, Lowe, Furlong, vdF, Henshaw).

In order of priority by position:

Scrumhalf

Doak - He could also be the answer to kicking issues. Just keep him away from the Dave Alred school (coattails on the extraordinary talents of Neil Jenkins and Jonny Wilkinson). More minutes with JC/SP is important.

Casey - Needs more minutes. But not that impressed with his cameos this season.

Lock

Edogbo - He could also be a help to part of the scrum issues.

Ahern - He's 6'9"!

Centre

Osborne - At 12. Left foot is a weapon. More minutes with JC/SP is important.

13? - Ringrose unsurprisingly has lost a bit of his edge. Concussions, Neinaber etc but who can replace him?

Hume? Gavin? Postlethwaite? Those two really 12s? Hugh Cooney…dont get me started.

Is the simple answer Tom Farrell is just behind Ringrose?

Backrow

Bryn Ward - Hes just a beast. 118kg. Get him on the bench at least and see what damage he can do.

Gleeson - Bit like above, but maybe the injury has set him back a bit.

AbusesToilets · 10-03-2026 01:44PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124300860#Comment_124300860

Centres, props and wingers are areas that need some attention. We have decent starter options, but poor depth behind. It might be too early to start blooding the u20 lads, but there are some great prospects in the Academy.

We simply have to play new centre combos, it's getting to be a pisstake at this stage there. I'd like to see Ward, Bolton and Kenny get some more experience. All of our starting wingers have dodgy injury histories.

ionadnapóca · 10-03-2026 02:26PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124300875#Comment_124300875

Personally I think it has to start with Osborne and build combinations from there.

Maybe it is to get him in at 13 beside SMcC, but it really makes more sense to me that its at 12. Its his best position, age profile of alternatives, and teaming up* with Ringrose/Prendergast/JGP-Province&Left foot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_sDhWVq1N0

Over the last 3 seasons at Leinster he has only played 4 times with Ringrose as a 12/13 partnership, and only once with SP as a 12/10. That 1 game was v Scarlets in 2023 where all 3 started 10/12/13 and all 3 scored tries!

Crowley/Osborne as a 10/12 has obviously never happened.

I say all of the above fully aware that Stu McCloskey is deservedly starting and should be the player of the tournament!

*hopefully

Felexicon · 10-03-2026 02:29PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124300991#Comment_124300991

Big Stu probably doesn't even make the team of the tournament tbh.

ionadnapóca · 10-03-2026 02:47PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124300997#Comment_124300997

I didnt forget Menoncello, he moves to 13!

Just thinking again; he is Stu's competition for player of the tournament!

El_Duderino 09 · 10-03-2026 02:59PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124300726#Comment_124300726

Those games with Georgia and Portugal were good, but they're not the same. The difference with right now is if someone has a great game or couple of games, they could claim the jersey.

Timony, Baloucoune, Doak, Stockdale, O Brien, C Prendergast, were all in genuine contention to take the jersey (or bench spot in the case of Doak) based on their performance in this 6N. I don't think anyone was going to get a start based on their performance againt Georgia or Portugal.

A second choice team playing tier 2 opposition is good, but it's not the as good as getting gametime in the full strength team in the 6N. This has been much more useful to those players than the summer tour.

FtD v2 · 10-03-2026 03:13PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124301110#Comment_124301110

Yeah, of course, but players have to show performances and form in those sort of games to justify making the step up too.

It's no coincidence that there's a lot of Ulster players involved this season when their form has increased materially versus the last couple of years. A guy like Nathan Doak wasn't capped in the summer, he was behind Ben Murphy then, but his good form this season has seen him leapfrog him and earn a cap. Same with Paddy McCarthy in November.

We've quietly built out some good depth options across a number of positions in the past 12 months or so, but there is obviously still some work to do there.

leakyboots · 10-03-2026 03:58PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124300991#Comment_124300991

Is he quick enough to play 13? I'd have him as our slowest back apart from James Lowe.

Feel like he could be more of a 12

ionadnapóca · 10-03-2026 03:59PM

Ireland are there for the taking, says Scotland’s Darcy Graham ahead of Six Nations clash
Scottish winger says Ireland have ‘not been firing as ⁠well as they have in previous campaigns’

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/2026/03/10/ireland-are-there-for-the-taking-says-scotlands-darcy-graham-ahead-of-six-nations-clash/

You love to hear it!

AbusesToilets · 10-03-2026 04:01PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124300991#Comment_124300991

I feel we need to get our centres sorted if we're going to successfully transition to a new attack. We just aren't getting close to the same level of creativity and play making that we need right now.

Felexicon · 10-03-2026 04:13PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124301066#Comment_124301066

This isn't the GAA all stars fella. We can't be moving lads around.

You'll be slotting James Ryan in at 15 next 😉

FtD v2 · 10-03-2026 04:19PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124301421#Comment_124301421

Menoncello has started two games in this Championship at 13 - against us and against France.

ionadnapóca · 10-03-2026 04:19PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124301371#Comment_124301371

I think thats fair enough. If you were to be harsh you could also add that defensively he's not particularly strong in the wider channel.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124301382#Comment_124301382

Makes sense and I see what the implications are - Ringrose! He was never the Hugh Jones type of strike runner but he's basically playing like a crash-ball merchant these days.

Selfless and the very definition of the much maligned 'unseen work'. I have no qualms about saying that Nienaber has stunted his attacking instincts. Maybe some of his defensive ones also. Would you drop him?

Felexicon · 10-03-2026 04:23PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124301439#Comment_124301439

Job done so. Would be some partnership to see week in week out.

AbusesToilets · 10-03-2026 04:26PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124301444#Comment_124301444

Much to Clegg's eye rolling 😋, I would have liked to see us try another option there. Either Osborne, or one of the younger lads. I think opposition defenses aren't worried about any threat coming from Ringrose, and our attack suffers doubly because of that.

Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

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