Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

Simple, before the tournament starts, Irish fans take a look at where the team is now, who's recently retired, who's injured, recent form etc and be realistic about expectations. Grand Slam? Probably not. What's the next best outcome? Title win, but it depends on other factors, what's next best? Triple Crown. Done. 6 Nations might have 1 winner, but it doesn't have 5 losers.

Finally putting him starting was a big turning point for our tournament.

what Farrell had managed to achieve this year with the players he had available is pretty remarkable.

Richie Murphy should be given huge credit as well for getting the ulster players playing at a level that made them ready for international rugby.

As well as AF has done it’s not without mistakes and the squad is not without worry in some areas.

The 3 best players are Beirne, McCloskey and Doris and two of them only have the next World Cup in them age wise.

Crowley has proven to even the most ardent doubters that he is the best option at 10, something that many recognised after his 2024 season. Hopefully the way prendergast has been treated doesn’t affect his confidence and he can continue to grow.

I worry about furlong and Ringrose and how their form will go over the next 18 months. They need to be very carefully managed.

I think McCloskey 100% would have started regardless. Maybe he would have been rested for Wales or Italy but he’s been our first choice 12 all season even when the other two have be available.

He started against NZ and Australia in the AI and wasn’t available against SA due to injury. Aki started against SA as McCloskey was out. Henshaw got a start at 12 against Japan then 13 alongside McCloskey against Australia.

I don’t agree. Casey is an excellent SH and to me still the clear number 2 and probably the best passer in the game right now. I agree it’s regrettable having him on for only 3 minutes and that was far from ideal given the game was probably won with 7/8 minutes to go but its hard to take JGP off given his influence on the game and with so much at stake. There is a tendency here to go to the extremes and this is a case in point. Farrell made it clear to Casey he is still the deputy which in itself is reassuring. Back to clubs for them all to perform and make a point for the summer series

All players being fit, what is the hierarchy at lhp? Porter, TOT, McCarthy, Boyle, Loughman? And where does TOT fit in at thp?

I'm genuinely interest in this response because there are things bout GR's game I don't understand. Defensively he's rarely less than brilliant and always influential but in attack he never/rarely distributes and instead goes into contact. Granted he is better than most at ball presentation and creating the most useful kind of shape on the ground, but Ive often been frustrated with how he steps back inside and leaves possible line breaks on his outside go begging. He does not seem to pass off his left. Is this at the direction of the coach?

give it up !