Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

Another thing we'll never know.

Lowe played very well against Italy. Lots of things were better in the games against England and Scotland than just having pace on the wings, primarily we were dominant up front in those games. Lots of people forget we played a game against Wales in the middle of that sequence (and he picked Stockdale in the 11 shirt again) and our attack looked absolutely shite in that game.

Because that was for a two-Test tour to less far away. True, the traditional number for a three-game tour to the Southern Hemisphere was 32 up until 2018, but the trend seems to be for a slightly larger squad in recent years. It was 35 for two Tests in SA in 2024. It gives nice coverage without having to skimp anywhere - 9 frontrowers, 4 locks, 6 backrowers, 6 halves, 4 centres and 6 back three players. Maybe the increase is due to an bigger chance of players being stood down due to RTP protocols.

The likelihood of some players - Furlong, Baloucoune and TOB, especially - breaking down and having to cry off makes it a bit risky to go with only 5 props and 5 back three players. And if they're thinking of starting Frawley at 10 if Crowley's out they're not really going to able to use the former's versatility to take one fewer backs. Maybe you could leave Murray and Edogbo at home and have only five players covering lock and blindside - Beirne, McCarthy, Ryan, Prendergast and Izuchukwu.

I can't see it but I agree to an extent. Both are hugely important for Ireland though and the pack doesn't function the same without them. I'd like to see a chunk of the players that toured with the Lions left at home but again, I can't see it happening.

I think Beirne in particular needs to have his minutes managed next season to get him to the World Cup fit. Will be 35 during next season and takes a lot of damage with how competitive he is at the breakdown.

That's a question for Farrell considering he was subsequently dropped.

Joe schmidt loved Kearney. We weren't exactly blessed with wingers that time either.

Thought I’d take a stab at the squad I think Farrell will name. You’d imagine it will be similar enough in composition to the squad that went to SA two years ago. So 35 man with two in each position, plus extras in the front row and half back positions. I know there’s a few injury doubts, so I put in brackets the player who I think will go if they’re ruled out. As with all Farrell squads, I think experimentation and new faces will be kept to a minimum, with maybe one or two new caps maximum.

Hookers: Sheehan, Kelleher, Stewart

Props: Porter (Loughman), O’Toole, Bohan*, Furlong, Bealham, Clarkson

Locks: Beirne (D.Murray), McCarthy, Ryan, Edogbo

Back Rows: C.Prendergast, Izuchukwu, van der Flier, Timoney, Doris, Conan

Scrum Halves: JGP, Casey, Doak

Out Halves: Crowley (H.Byrne), Frawley, S.Prendergast

Centres: Aki, McCloskey, Henshaw, Ringrose

Wings: Baloucoune, T.O’Brien, Stockdale, Bolton

Full Backs: Keenan, Osborne

You’d think Baloucoune, T.O’Brien and Stockdale are fairly certain, but that 4th winger slot is very open now with Lowe gone. Z.Ward, Kenny and J.O’B are options but I reckon he goes with Bolton. He got capped v Portugal last summer and scored two tries and he played the ‘A’ game against Spain in November. He’s also a like-for-like replacement for Lowe in the sense that he’s a power winger with a very similar build. Other than that I think you can pick the squad with your eyes closed, as is generally the case with Farrell squads. The Japan game might see some fringe guys get opportunities but it will be full bore against Aus and NZ.

Bolton got what looked a bad arm injury in the Glasgow game for Connacht, so not sure if he's available for selection.

Furlong is a tricky one. He needs both gametime to assess what his current form is like and rest and rehabilitation to properly recover from all his injuries.

I see some pundits saying something to the effect of "we know what he's capable of" referring to him running lines in the centre, catching and passing. But it's years since he's been able to do that. Sometimes it's hard to get go of a great player. And big think Lrinster has done that by starting Clarkson and having Furlong as a replacement.

I'd be fine with Farrell switching to the same arrangement.

Yeah that's a decent plan too. There isn't an obviously right or wrong answer. Can't really criticise whichever way he goes.

Furlong being a long time favourite means he will probably get the benefit of the doubt. But of he keeps getting injured it will be impossible to really assess his level of performance