Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

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.

For the third time in this thread, this conversation wasn't about 'pointing out we have an alternative'.

This conversastion started because someone said 'does Keenan walk back into the team?'

The answer to this question, that was posed, is yes. Anyone who thinks differently has a short memory or just does not watch Keenan play. He is better in every aspect than any of the alternatives combined. That's how good he is.

I can ignore the alternatives at 15, because Keenan is still a level above them even if he comes back 80% the player he was. If we need one of the alternatives to step in. Great. Fantastic stuff.

That is not the same as thinking we're now in a position where it's 'horses for courses', where in a match the opposition might not suit Keenan starting. That's what horses for courses means and it's absolute nonsense. There is no situation where Hansen or Osborne should start other than Keenan being unavailable or is being purposefully rested against a lower-ranked side. That isn't an opinion, that is an outright fact.

This notion that he hasn't been the same since 2022/2023 is nonsense as well. He has always remained as one of the top rugby players in the world. Just this past Summer he was excellent for the Lions in all three tests.

Stockdale at 13 for Ulster today. Lets see how he goes.

I immediately read turning thirty in a Bertie Ahern accent for some reason

He had surgery to repair a hip cartilage issue that had been planned for months. Normal procedure based on wear and tear that many rugby players go through for all sorts of issues, beit shoulders, knees, hips etc.

He's been fit from that for weeks. The only reason he was delayed was because he broke his thumb in a pre-6 Nations camp.

Two completely different injuries that don't demonstrate any kind of pattern.

Just so I'm clear, do you think Jamie Osborne is better than Hugo Keenan?

world today

up tomorrow

Great, absolutely not. He did ok, the Rhys Carre try was a serious error.

Good, we agree then that Keenan walks back into the team.