Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

I dont think France would have had it so easy if we had met later but thts pure speculation on my behalf!

where are we with Ireland 10 - is Frawley now no 2 behind Crowley and possibly Byrne no 3? Does Prendergast not make WC squad?

Great win, I remember well the excitement of winning a triple crown and given how this 6N started this is one of the sweetest

Andy Farrell and the coaching ticket have the final say and have confounded the doubters

Crowley yo-yo has hopefully brought him to a new level and if he can maintain consistency from here we’re in a good place

McCloskey has been immense, so too JGP and the depth of Ireland has been greatly enhanced

If I was told post France game that we would be worst case 2nd at this precise moment I would have assumed delusion

Great way to end a phenomenal 6N

He's really not. He's not even the best full back in Ireland.

He's played really well and has shown he's more than capable of filling the role but let's calm down a bit here. The difference between him and Keenan is night and day.

If we are going to continue using our outhalf as almost a third centre I think Frawley as second choice could make sense, although I've never been convinced personally.

Of course, that's entirely dependent on JGP playing huge minutes as none of the other options have shown the ability to run the game as primary playmaker. I don't like Casey and Prendergast together because it leaves us with too many weaknesses to hide in defence, Casey and Frawley together is nightmare fuel.

Hard to know where Prendergast sits, his game doesn't fit with what we're currently asking of our 10. He's a good option to have and has some good experience for his age now, but I think his defence needs to improve quite a bit to pressure Crowley again. The way the game is currently, being clinical from redzone opportunities is huge, and I think being able to run at Sam for five yards and quick ball is too much of an easy out for opposition teams.

Massive game from the Irish forwards, O'Toole had a super game, Sheehan all over the place, Furlong was rejuvenated. Back five in the pack incredible stuff, totally schooled the Scottish pack and Timoney continues to impress. Doris had monster workrate all game. McCloskey outstanding and everything good in our backs pivoted through him and once again with two genuinely pacey wingers we look a different team. Chapeau.

Lessons from this six nations .....McCloskey a real find and you can't beat two pacey wingers....

Wow thanks for those numbers, impressive stats, 16 carries from Doris is something else and defensively he was insane too, would imagine his tackle counts is off the scale. McCloskey has shown not only incredible go forward in tight contact almost always getting over the gainline but his offloading, decision making and passing accuracy has been world class.

One of the most pleasing aspects to me today was the celebrating of Ulstermen, Munster, Leinster and Connacht after tries. The spirit in the team was evident

A good day. Don’t think anyone had a poor game.

Thought Sheehan looked somewhat back to his best, TOT was everywhere and strong in the scrum, Beirne and Doris doing their normal superhuman work, Conan and VDF both really solid and worked hard.

Backs again were all good, McCloskey the pick of the bunch and think I heard it right that TOB has 8 tries in 9 caps? Very impressive numbers, would be brilliant if he can keep that level of scoring up.

Was nice to see Prendergast in the thick of it for the post match celebrations with a big smile on his face. Say what you want about where he should or shouldn't be in the pecking order he's at an age that he needs to be enjoying his rugby and that clearly wasn't the case in his appearances in this tournament.

Think taking him out of the spotlight will turn out to be another man management master stroke by Farrell.