Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

Keenan for 13 shirt. There, I said it. And its not so mad when you think about it. A worthy Ringrose 13 looks unlikely to appear before RWC. Why not give Keenan a run at 13 in a few tour games, just to see how well he goes.

It really is mad the more you think about it.

Literally the question I responded to which started this discussion was "Does Keenan walk back into the team?"

The answer is yes. Every day of the week and twice on Sundays. Anyone who thinks otherwise is lying, or has no concept of what an outstanding footballer he is.

Keenan would do a fine job at 13 the same way Osborne has done a fine job at 15.

Seems madness to me to move one of the best 15s in the world out of position out of some stupid hypothetical to try and make a point but this is the level of nonsense we're at right now.

I think there’s some selective memory going on here. From 2021-2023, Keenan was undoubtedly one of the best fullbacks in world rugby and probably the most complete 15. Genuinely outstanding week in-week out. Aerially, kicking, running, distribution, defence. He was brilliant

However his form the last 2 years hasn’t been at the same level, he’s starting picking up a lot of injuries and he’s 30 this year. Is he still our best 15 when fit? Yes, probably. Although I really liked what I saw from Hansen in November. I hope as much as anyone that Keenan can get back to the level he was at a few years ago, but there’s no guarantee he will do. And we shouldn’t handicap ourselves by not being prepared to explore other options if he doesn’t get back to top form.

Okay, maybe Keenan shouldn't play 13…

…but I reckon we should give him a few games at 9. He'll be gas.

Actually, maybe Mack learns to play 9.

Both of them, for the sake of depth?

We can figure out 13 later, but it'll probably involve Crowley/TOB. And Stockdale's playing 13 tonight!

Keenan has played other positions when required, just not 13.

He’s 29 and has never played there. It makes literally no sense when there are many Irish centres who could do a good job if given a chance.

I don't think anybody actually does want to put him there.

This started because someone was making an excuse to keep him out of the team for Osborne, despite Osborne having no attribute at 15 better than Keenan.

One of the cases was Osborne's ability to run lines off 12 from the 15 position, as if line-running wasn't one of Keenan's best qualities.

Then it became a goal-post manouever about him playing 13 full stop.

All of this to avoid saying that Keenan walks back into the Ireland team.

Think Prendergast should be getting a few more games at 10 too, just because like.

There's always this assumption that a player has to win the jersey back. It's very rarely the case, especially when players of the calibre of Keenan are involved. He has nothing to prove.

Keenan is the first choice full-back until he shows that he has regressed massively. He's just that much better than anyone else, Osborne included. The same very likely applies to Mack Hansen; I don't know if he'll be back for the summer but he won't be losing too much sleep about his Ireland jersey, regardless of the form TOB and Baloucoune have been showing.