Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

If we're being serious, it's clear that this Ireland side and Andy Farrell places a very heavy emphasis on culture/togetherness/bond or whatever you want to call it. They probably see that as one of the main reasons why they've been so wildly successful in an Ireland context.

Makes complete sense that they'd want to go to the well one more time for a departing player like a POM/Healy/Earls/Murray/Aki etc. Lads who've been so pivotal in driving that culture of success.

You seem to take absolutely zero joy out of the team doing well, so yes, maybe you do hate Ireland and want them to lose. It's entirely feasible.

I think the other Murray is a better lineout operator

McCluskey has probably been Irish player of the Six Nations soo far, and Gary Ringrose has been really good too, but I don't think Bundee Aki will weaken the team if he comes on as a replacement, he might be in the twilight of his career now but still has plenty to offer for 20mins or soo. Also it changes the picture a bit for the Scottish defence if we are in search of a score. The fact that Bundee is well rested might work in his favour too.

I'd completely disagree with this - for Ireland to be the most succesful six nations team over a 10 or 15 year period, to reach number one or two in the world, to do what they did in New Zealand - its incredible success. The whole world cup quarter final thing is completely overblown.

A sporting analogy would be Sean Kelly not winning the Tour De France. So what. Still a far greater cyclist than Roche over the course of his career. But if all you know about cycling is Tour De France then you will rate Roche higher.

England made a semi-final last two world cups. So what. Ireland has been a better team.

And to state the obvious - France and England are ten times bigger. We should be nowhere near competing with them - and to be honest the way things are going I dont think we will be in the future. In 10 or 20 years time, the six nations will probably rotate between England, Italy and France.

can someone point me to where Farrell says Aki was picked so that he could have a nice send-off?

Both can be true, Ireland's success has been incredible and they've backed it up over 2 or 3 different teams at this stage, AND not getting past the 1/4 puts a black mark again our record at the same time. Wales and England have been to semis over the last 3 competitions with teams we handily dispatched, yet we've never made it. At this stage the 1/4 final is similar to never having beaten the ABs up to 2016, or winning another slam before 09, something that definitely needs to be overcome if Ireland are to be a genuine top table team for the next couple decades.

"Bundee absolutely can do what's asked of him"

If only he was the same with referees 😁

Well said Tombo I was just about to write a reply to that original post. The reason that we should be proud of our Rugby team is that we are performing away above where we should be as Tombo just explained . We are an amazing Nation in producing athletes of all discipline, just look at all the success we have achieved over the years just this week our Jockeys and Trainers are flying the flag in Cheltenham . I first saw Ireland play in 1967 against Australia which we won actually and for years after we struggled to find winning on regular basis difficult we were always able to win a one off game against one of the leading Nations . So to compare those years to what we have today is indeed hugely successful. Im forever telling my sons lads ye never had it so good when they moan and complain about Ireland not winning World Cups and Grand Slams on a consistent basis.

The Maddest thing that has come out of the last few weeks is people trying to soft launch the idea that it is some kind of wild miscarriage of justice that Bundee was 1st choice ahead of Mcloskey for the majority of his career

https://www.rte.ie/sport/six-nations/2026/0312/1563136-farrell-hoping-aki-and-lowe-stay-around-for-rwc-push/

This will go down well on here id imagine