Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

almostover · 14-03-2026 08:49PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124312482#Comment_124312482

18 tackles for Doris, 1 missed. Only bettered by McCarthy (19 complete, 0 missed) and TOT (20 complete, 1 missed).

Edit: And VdF, 23 tackles complete, 0 missed.

bingobango12 · 14-03-2026 08:51PM

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.

phog · 14-03-2026 09:36PM

The order of the games didnt suit us, had we France later in the tournament we might well be Grand Slam Champions now.

It was a great tournament for Osbourne, Stu, Baloucoune and Crowley.

Our reserve scrumhalfs must be fair pissed off to be still on the bench after 70 mins in most matches.

Now, we need England to do us a huge favour

Podge_irl · 14-03-2026 09:47PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124312685#Comment_124312685

Our reserve scrumhalfs must be fair pissed off to be still on the bench after 70 mins in most matches.

If they are pissed they need to try not being way, way worse than the starter and be able to implement a 9 led gameplan anywhere close to as well as him.

phog · 14-03-2026 09:50PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124312714#Comment_124312714

True, but should JGP not be available at any stage calling up a guy who spent most his time sitting on his arse isn't going to help us.

Felexicon · 14-03-2026 09:53PM

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.

Podge_irl · 14-03-2026 09:54PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124312730#Comment_124312730

If JGP isn't available we are screwed. We play almost entirely off 9 and Casey simply cannot play that game. I'm a bit perplexed why he didn't stick with Doak for that reason.

phog · 14-03-2026 10:24PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124312764#Comment_124312764

This is the same sh!te we've been listening to about Irish selections for ages, this year we had a few injury enforced changes, the world didnt end and today eveeyone is praising Farrell for using 34 players in the 6Ns.

That kinds shows how used people are to him sticking with his regulars.

All_in_Flynn · 14-03-2026 10:47PM

Thought that was a high quality game. Definitely the best Scotland side I've seen but I'd wonder what damage today will have done to them.

Our pack were just superior on the day and to a man had great games.

I'm still yet to see a Scottish centre ever outplay an Irish one at test level. Not sure what people are on about with Ringrose. Barring concussion he was going to be the 13 for the Lions.

Been a real positive 6 nations. We've found depth in a number of positions. Do Ulster push O'Toole across now? He was exceptional today I thought. 9 is our biggest issue. Farrell just doesn't trust anything behind JGP.

Don't think there is any doubt the Lions was the root cause of the bit of malaise the team were experiencing. Seem to be coming out the other side of it now though.

phog · 14-03-2026 11:10PM

Gotta feel for the Irish players, had a hand on the trophy until that penalty was awarded and then you knew that France were going to win it.

Real shame that we underperformed in our game against France

AbusesToilets · 14-03-2026 11:12PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124312988#Comment_124312988

Ringrose doesn't pass, and rarely makes line breaks. He's a massive weak link in our back line at the moment.

realhorrorshow · 14-03-2026 11:13PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124312876#Comment_124312876

The median ~~voter~~ Irish rugby fan, ladies and gentlemen.

almostover · 14-03-2026 11:30PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124312988#Comment_124312988

Your last point is on the money, I'd love to see a rule come in that the Lions coach can't come from a current international coach. It's too disruptive.

It should be like the Ryder cup captain, an honorary role that is given to a coach once they've moved out of the current setup.

Edit: Just to prove the point here is how Wales finished in each 6N following a Lions tour that Gatty was head coach for:

2014: 3rd

2018: 2nd

2022: 5th

All_in_Flynn · 14-03-2026 11:37PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124313154#Comment_124313154

Can't agree. He's head and shoulders above any other 13 in the country. Again outplayed Jones today. He's not asked to do the things you hold against him.

You've had a weird thing about the centres for Ireland and Leinster recently. Really think you are off the mark on this one. Like he was without doubt the leading 13 for the Lions barring concussion.

Felexicon · 14-03-2026 11:37PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124313154#Comment_124313154

"A massive weak link" is a ridiculous comment.

Who takes his place?

Felexicon · 14-03-2026 11:41PM

Edit

Felexicon · 14-03-2026 11:44PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124313142#Comment_124313142

Tbh I doubt the players will care too much. The elation of winning the triple crown in the moment would outweigh winning the title via a game you have no influence on.

Probably had the suits in the IRFU in tears because the prize money was so close.

For Petes Sake · 15-03-2026 12:03AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124312876#Comment_124312876

Because even at 34, none of them are anywhere near as good as JGP.

Seriously, it's the Sexton argument all over again. If any of the other 9s are good enough, they'll take the jersey off JGP.

Breaking news: None of them are, and its not even close.

Let's keep Crowley off the pitch while we're at it. Need to give Prendergast more minutes.

phog · 15-03-2026 12:05AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124313281#Comment_124313281

Ah come on, there's sugar coating and then there's sugar coating.

Unless they win a Grand Slam then every 6Ns win is dependent on results of other games that they have no influence on.

Felexicon · 15-03-2026 12:09AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124313327#Comment_124313327

Obviously I am aware how a league system works pal.

I'm not saying it's irrelevant or anything but I doubt it's a big downer for them.

AbusesToilets · 15-03-2026 12:10AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124313239#Comment_124313239

It's not a weird thing, the stats support my point. What would you say he did today that stood out? Without watching the match back, I can't remember anything of note from him. His passing stats are abysmal, I think he might have had a match this tournament where he didn't even make one.

I don't see where he is adding value in any qualitive sense.

For Petes Sake · 15-03-2026 12:10AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124313154#Comment_124313154

If he's the massive weak link I'd love to know what you make of 1-meter-gained Huw Jones.

Again, people somehow managing to watch a completely different rugby match to the one that was actually on the telly.

Felexicon · 15-03-2026 12:12AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124313324#Comment_124313324

You'd wonder are the lads on boards.fr calling for Dupont to get taken off early to give someone else a shot

AbusesToilets · 15-03-2026 12:13AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124313241#Comment_124313241

We have no shortage of young centres in great form. Any one of Osborne, Hume, Gavin, Postlewaithe could've been given a chance in on of the matches. There's plenty of other guys behind them too, Forde, Tector, Cooney et al. There's no need for us to persist with an underperforming player like this. The contrast in how wings were dropped for form in comparison to Ringrose is stark.

For Petes Sake · 15-03-2026 12:13AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124313340#Comment_124313340

I can guarantee that none of them want the same discussion about out-half at the moment.

Hypocrisy that's borderline stupidity.

pickarooney · 15-03-2026 12:16AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124312283#Comment_124312283

It was a decent performance and a good result. You don't win 6N games, let alone score 4 tries, with an abject performance.

JohnFalstaff · 15-03-2026 12:18AM

France win the six nations after the lions tour. Plus ca change.

awec · 15-03-2026 12:20AM

Gutted for the lads. Absolutely nobody, included myself, gave us a hope after week 1. To be within seconds of winning it outright and then not winning it is so disappointing.

But we have reversed a downward trend and we have introduced many new faces. We must acknowledge that we benefited from a topsy turvy tournament, but overall this far surpassed my expectations.

Huge kudos to Farrell, probably the best coach we’ve had. I don’t agree with all his choices but he gets it right way more often than he gets it wrong.

McCloskey was Irelands player of the tournament. I struggle to remember a player ever coming in and having an impact with his age profile. He literally carried this team through large parts of the tournament.

Baloucoune and TOB are looking great. Hansen will not walk back into this team. Lowe will not walk back into this team. This is a good thing.

Biggest loser for me was Casey. 2 and a half minutes today does not bode well IMO. I don’t think Farrell and co are convinced and neither am I to be honest.

pickarooney · 15-03-2026 12:21AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124313340#Comment_124313340

French fans on Reddit rage about overplaying Dupont and not giving Serin any game time every week

phog · 15-03-2026 12:28AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124313334#Comment_124313334

Of course it's a downer, probably even worse because England were winning with minutes on the clock.

Winning the Triple Crown gives them something to celebrate but winning the 6Ns was the aim from the start

Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

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