Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

While I have no doubt that Farrell is the right man for the job today, 2031 will bring his reign up to 12 years which is very, very long.

Best coach in the N hemisphere delighted to secure Andy to a guaranteed full RWC term and to effect the very important transition process for some of our key players as our 2027 & 2031 teams will be unrecognisable. In safe hands

That's a loooooong extension, but given that the next coach will likely be either Goodman or Easterby, that's not necessarily a bad thing. Don't think either of those guys would have the necessary expertise to take over after RWC27 if it came to it.

Farrell has already been freshening things up. Paddy McCarthy was challenging Andrew Porter for the starting loosehead berth, before the former picked up a bad injury. Unfortunately Paddy has picked up another injury, but I think we'll see him and maybe even Bohan get more chances in the lead up to the World Cup.

Baloucoune and TOB have very quickly become Ireland's starting wings also. Osborne had a great Six Nations and even though he's firmly second choice full back when Keenan is fit, we've established that we have a very capable deputy for him. Hansen has been injured for ages, but we know he's proven quality and can slot in capable anywhere across the back three.

Second row is the area where we need to see more development. Beirne, Ryan and McCarthy are all excellent players, but we need at least one more. Maybe Edogbo could be that guy, but he clearly needs to prove something more to Farrell. Would have played more in the last Six Nations if he had fully convinced the coaches. Also, we need to be planning long term in that area. Beirne will be 35 at the WC.

I've full faith in Farrell that he can bring through one or two more players, that improve the squad, by the time the World Cup begins.

Great news, he's done a great job and there really is no other outstanding candidate.

I presume that there is the standard 6-month walk away clause for both sides which gives an out if things go very pear shaped.

You’d also assume that there will be some turnover of coaching staff to maintain freshness

Involved and failed at 2 World Cups so let's reward him with 2 more

Keeps the lads in jobs (POC & Sexton) so everybody's happy

Have world class Irish Coaches around and didn't even give a chance ROG, Felix Jones, Stuart McCall

Hiring Stuart McCall as the Ireland coach is exactly the sort of ballsy move the IRFU could never even contemplate.

A long-retired Scottish soccer player is the sort of fresh voice that this stale set-up desperately needs, but we're too afraid to rock the boat and upset the D4 media.

I would be shocked , different leagues altogether no comparison IMHO

JGP is absolutely the right pick for Ireland still, but I don't see why the likes of Doak and Murphy can't close the gap. Where was JGP at 24? In NZ playing NPC?

Crazy decision. You give a coach a 4 year extension before the outcome of 2027 World Cup. And only the most deluded optimist really believes there is much to look forward to at the 2027 world cup.

There is another matter that is looming. It is clear to see that Leinster performances are becoming more and more rigid in their plays. So more and more questions will be asked as to why Ireland plays have become staid over the next year. And then there will be calls for fresh blood but this can't happen. And the reason it can't happen is because Leinster must continue to be the major contributer to Ireland. And there is a reason for this. How Leinster play is how Ireland play. Any non Leinster players are simply introduced to Leinsters plays. And that is Andy Farrells function. It cannot be the situation that any player can be selected to play for Ireland.

So as we watch Leinsters demise we watch Ireland's demise. I suppose when you think about it we'll it doesn't really matter who the Irish coach is in the current environment