Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

FtD v2 · 17-06-2026 12:36PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124557415#Comment_124557415

That's not accurate (in terms of the players you've referenced):

Leo Barre - 7 caps pre tour, had played in two 6 Nations championships and toured Argentina previously
Theo Attissogbe - 5 caps pre tour, had toured Argentina, played in Nov & 6 Nations
Nolann le Garrec - 10 caps pre tour, debut back in Feb 2024
Emmanuel Meafou - Didn't go on the tour, but had amassed 9 caps at that point
Georges-Henri Colombe - 9 caps pre tour, France debut back in Nov '24

They did give first caps to a number of players on that tour, but for 95% of them that's the only caps they've ever received, with a handful of exceptions: Regis Montagne (now on 7 caps), Joshua Brennan (got one further cap in the 6N).

It wasn't as material in terms of bringing through new players as you've framed it, but they arguably did get more experience and minutes into guys like Guillard, le Garrec, Deporteere & Attissogbe.

It still generated a lot of controversy and frustration in NZ about the calibre of players sent up, and you would imagine would have to come up as a point of discussion the next time NZ are proposing to play in France in November.

eagle eye · 17-06-2026 01:09PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124557458#Comment_124557458

Sorry it was '24 but basically it's the same thing.

Yeah_Right · 17-06-2026 01:59PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124556871#Comment_124556871

Yeah I imagine NZ and SA will be rotating in preparation for the Greatest Rivalry tour.

JeanRasczak · 17-06-2026 02:18PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124555146#Comment_124555146

What is the "recent deline"? or how far do you go back?

He was on the Lions, played in the Lions Tests. Is that too far back to show decline?

He played in the 6 nations and was one of the best players on the pitch against a good Italy team.

He has played well for Leinster.

This is after a season when most Leinster players should have seen a post Lions slump which most teams who have supplied the bulk of the Lions to have experiencec. Yet from a Leinster point of view they have got to two finals and Ireland had a good 6 nations, even if results ended up similar to the ones the year before.

So what is "bonkers"? maybe you can explain how long and where this decline has happened? because less than 12 months ago he was one of the best wingers in the World based on his Lions picking

sydthebeat · 17-06-2026 02:26PM

personally i dont give a crap about this "nations cup"

If they wanted to do it right they would have had it half way between RWCs and not the year before. Its just another in the long line of ham fisted ideas from WR.

However i appreciate that ireland has a small pool of players to choose from so i dont expect an Ireland A type selection that others seems to be asking for.

Jamie Benson has played more at 15 than 10 for Quins this season, and at 2 years older than Jack Murphy has 1/3 less pro starts than Jack. If any ulster 10 is travelling its not Benson.

Keenan is back fit therefore Osbourne is back to being a real option at 12 or 13. Id like to see at least one game with none of Henshaw, Aki and Ringrose in the center. I do expect it to be a SMCC / GR partnership for Aus and NZ.

We simply have to experiment at prop, we've no option. Hopefully Bohan gets named to travel and gets a start. On the other side Clarkson should cement his place as first choice.

LH wing is completely open. At the moment its looking like TOB and Balou are first choices 11 and 14 but that reserve / japan 11 jersey is completely open. its a pity Bolton is out or we'd have seen him there. Hopefully Zac Ward travels even in a "trainee" capacity and gets some gametime.

All in all Farrell has already capped an impressive 20 new players in this RWC cycle, i fully expect that number to continue to rise.

Paul Smeenus · 17-06-2026 04:05PM

Is the announcement being streamed anywhere?

ionadnapóca · 17-06-2026 04:10PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124555693#Comment_124555693

Yep the decline in 'passing' & 'understanding of how to attack' is noticeable.

It is coachable though. As is creativity.

There is a passage in Sextons book that jumps off the page when talking about "the random stuff rugby can throw at you."

"What prepares you for that is the type of training games we played with Stu at Leinster, where we worked in less structured situations to sharpen handling skills and spatial awareness."

—————————————————-

And unfortunately these skills aren't suddenly going to start improving at Leinster either.

In fact there are a few more passages in Sextons book that are pertinent to what's going on at Leinster now.

"Losing the Pro 12 final to Connacht was a blessing, really. Winning another title might have papered over the cracks and reduced the pressure to add a heavy hitter to the coaching team."

—————————————————-

The real gamechanger was the arrival of Stuart Lancaster. I like to think I had a hand in making it happen.

—————————————————-

I texted him, asking if he'd be available , saying I thought he'd be a great fit and that we'd be mad keen to have him.

—————————————————-

My text to Stu didnt nail the deal , but it was gratifying when he subsequently revealed it had been an important factor in his coming.

—————————————————-

Only Leo, Guy and Isa had known about his appointment as defence coach. (It was a bit later the Stu's title would be changed to 'senior coach'.)

As soon as he began his first presentation, the whole mood at the club changed…….As he spoke, you could sense people mentally pulling their socks up. I just looked across at Isa and we both smiled.

In the space of one meeting, Stu fixed our defensive Issues. He used the Pro12 final as his raw material and picked us apart mercilessly………. It was like listening to Joe but with an Englisg accent.

Under Stu's influence, our training sessions became more challenging, our standards more exacting. When we reviewed training, we were more honest with each other. The fact we were even reviewing training was a step forward from the previous year.

I was enjoying my job again….

—————————————————-

Whatever happens v Bulls the IRFU need to give JN back to Erasmus (give Leo a nice new office) and get a real "heavy hitter" in to do a proper Head Coaching job again.

Pudsy33 · 17-06-2026 05:02PM

Forwards (20): Tadhg Beirne, Billy Bohan*, Thomas Clarkson, Jack Conan, Caelan Doris, Tadhg Furlong, Sam Illo*, Cormac Izuchukwu, Sean Jansen*, Rónan Kelleher, Jeremy Loughman, Joe McCarthy, Darragh Murray, Tom O’Toole, Cian Prendergast, James Ryan, Dan Sheehan, Tom Stewart, Nick Timoney, Josh van der Flier/

Backs (16): Bundee Aki, Rob Baloucoune, Harry Byrne, Craig Casey, Nathan Doak, Ciaran Frawley, Jamison Gibson-Park, Robbie Henshaw, Hugo Keenan, Stuart McCloskey, Jimmy O’Brien, Tommy O’Brien, Jamie Osborne, Sam Prendergast, Garry Ringrose, Jacob Stockdale.

*uncapped

Some progressive picks in the pack but the backs are a bit uninspiring.

FtD v2 · 17-06-2026 05:15PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124521269#Comment_124521269

My calls here were largely right; with the exception of Izuchukwu getting the nod over Edogbo. I didn't think Stockdale would be healthy enough to make it.

Little disappointed not to see one of the young centres travel but great to see Illo in there ahead of Bealham, and to see Jansen & Bohan in there too.

FtD v2 · 17-06-2026 05:19PM

Breaking the squad down by positions:

Hooker: Dan Sheehan, Ronan Kelleher, Tom Stewart
LHP: Jeremy Loughman, Billy Bohan, Tom O'Toole
THP: Tadhg Furlong, Sam Illo, Tom Clarkson
Locks: Joe McCarthy, James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne, Darragh Murray, Cormac Izuchukwu
Back Row: Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan, Cian Prendergast, Nick Timoney, Sean Jansen
Scrum Half: Jamison Gibson Park, Craig Casey, Nathan Doak
Out Half: Sam Prendergast, Harry Byrne, Ciaran Frawley
Centre: Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, Stu McCloskey, Garry Ringrose, Jamie Osborne
Back Three: Hugo Keenan, Jimmy O'Brien, Tommy O'Brien, Rob Baloucoune, Jacob Stockdale

We look light in the back three IMO, even allowing for Frawley & Osborne's ability to cover at 15.

Locke_Lamora · 17-06-2026 05:31PM

I’m a little disappointed for Bryn Ward but his form did dip a little and it’s hard to argue against Jansen who more than deserves a shot.

AbusesToilets · 17-06-2026 05:34PM

Disappointed but absolutely unsurprised by the centre selections. Looking on the positive side (for once) excited to see the inclusion of the Connacht lads, hoping they can get a decent bit of game time.

FtD v2 · 17-06-2026 05:35PM

The split across the provinces is pretty stark:

Leinster: 19
Ulster: 8
Connacht: 6
Munster: 3

I can't ever recall such a low Munster representation, especially when you consider of the three in there, Tadhg Beirne is 35 on his next birthday and Jeremy Loughman almost certainly isn't in there if Porter / P McCarthy / Boyle are fit.

Maybe Nash and Edogbo are there if healthy, but neither would be nailed on.

Of the 10 players name checked as missing out due to injury in the official announcement:

Leinster: 4
Ulster: 0
Connacht: 2
Munster: 4

Which means the following guys were just overlooked:

Finlay Bealham
Gus McCarthy
Michael Milne
Tom Ahern (though suspect he might be injured)

RichieRich_89 · 17-06-2026 05:38PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124558086#Comment_124558086

But maybe Osborne is going primarily as a fullback instead of just cover. That's where he featured in the 6N. Six back three players is plenty for three games. I'd imagine it'll be five in the World Cup squad.

Happyhouse22 · 17-06-2026 05:39PM

Leinster - 19

Ulster - 8

Connacht -6

Munster - 3

An increase in the number of Connacht players mostly replacing Munster correlates with the form of each towards the end of season.

Former Former Former · 17-06-2026 05:46PM

Jansen is a great call-up.

Considering Leinster have a very physical game in two days' time and a few players already carrying niggles, there is definitely scope for more players to get on the plane.

FtD v2 · 17-06-2026 05:47PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124558135#Comment_124558135

Munster had 8 players in the 6 Nations squad: Beirne, Casey & Loughman (who are still there now), Crowley, Edogbo & Farrell (who are listed as injured now), and then it's Milne & Ahern who have lost out, to Bohan and Izuchukwu (who was subsequently called up to the 6N), which both look like fair enough calls.

Jansen is effectively an additional back row to those selected in the 6N (as all of the players picked then have been retained), and Illo has replaced his Connacht teammate Bealham.

Clegg · 17-06-2026 05:48PM

Porter left out of the squad entirely doesn't bode well. Had an awful season on the injury front. Hopefully we'll have the opportunity to blood more players in his absence and also with Boyle and Paddy McCarthy missing.

I've high hopes for the latter and believe he'll be Porters long term successor in green and blue. Need him to make a full recovery.

RichieRich_89 · 17-06-2026 05:49PM

It's funny, Ireland must have some of the fastest forwards in rugby, and some of the slowest backs. Sheehan, Baird, Izuchukwu, Timoney, historically Sean Cronin, Keith Wood and David Wallace would compare pretty favourably to the fastest Test players from any other country. But would any other top team pick Henshaw with how slow he now is?

TRC10 · 17-06-2026 06:07PM

Some really progressive picks in the pack. Love Bohan and Illo being included. And so well deserved. Delighted that Jansen has been rewarded for his form. Offers a real abrasive edge that I don’t think our other back rows do. Would love to see him get a start at 8 and move Doris to the flank.

The halfbacks are as expected and Farrell has had his hand forced by the injury to Crowley. The centres are a massive let down. We have the weakest group of centres if any tier 1 nation by a distance, so you’d have loved to see Farrell try to introduce some new blood. As is often the case, change needs to be forced on him like it was on the wings. Back 3 is as expected but you’d have liked to see a Kenny or Ward in there to offer something different.

Can’t for the life of my understand why we are flogging Furlong and Beirne. The two of them are in the twilight of their careers and have been suffering badly on the injury front lately. Surely we should be trying to maximise their chances of being at their best at the World Cup a year from now? Instead we’re prioritising these meaningless friendlies. And yes, that’s what they are. They can call it the ‘nations league’ or whatever, but nobody truly cares about it.

Overall it’s a very Andy Farrell squad.

mr_edge_to_you · 17-06-2026 06:14PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124556519#Comment_124556519

Fair point. Every game is a World Cup Final but we have a great time peaking 12 months outs. Some things will never change.

P.Walnuts · 17-06-2026 06:21PM

Irish Rugby on twitter naming a number of players who were ruled out through injury including Postlewaith and Bolton

El_Duderino 09 · 17-06-2026 06:22PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124557682#Comment_124557682

You're right. He played for the Lions. Among the best wingers in the world. No further context needed.

He also played really well against Italy. No further context needed

He also played really well in all his games since the Italy game. No further context needed.

You've convinced me. I used to think that looking at previous performance and looking for trends was a good idea. But now I understand that was a mistake.

Paul Smeenus · 17-06-2026 07:30PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124558125#Comment_124558125

Postlethwaite namechecked as injured on Instagram announcement.

Podge_irl · 17-06-2026 07:52PM

Hope Prendergast has learned a lesson from the 6N cause he will have nowhere to hide starting away against Aus amd NZ.

Question for me is who starts against Japan.

TRC10 · 18-06-2026 08:04AM

The depressing thing is that the three uncapped guys (Bohan, Illo and Jansen) wouldn’t even be there if it wasn’t for the injuries to Porter, McCarthy, Boyle and Baird. If Healy, POM and Murray were still playing, Farrell would still be picking them

sydthebeat · 18-06-2026 08:11AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124559575#Comment_124559575

Congratulations on yet another face palm post.

Sam Illo is a tight head, and is in the squad in place of Finlay Bealham who is not listed as injured. Porter boyle and McCarty are all loose heads.

Jansen is almost exclusively a no. 8..

A position definitely not played by Ryan Baird.

Farrell will cap 3 new players during the summer.

Don't let the misery kick you in the ass on the way out.

TRC10 · 18-06-2026 08:25AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124559585#Comment_124559585

Sam Illo is a tight head, and is in the squad in place of Finlay Bealham who is not listed as injured. Porter boyle and McCarty are all loose heads.

It hardly takes much brain power to remember that O’Toole was a TH before we got those injuries at LH, which led to him being used there. He’d still be a TH if McCarthy and Boyle weren’t injured, and Illo wouldn’t be there. Nice one

Jansen is almost exclusively a no. 8..
A position definitely not played by Ryan Baird.

Conan is being used as a 6 now that Baird is injured, which opened the door for Jansen

TRC10 · 18-06-2026 08:31AM

Ireland might win 3/3 this summer. It wouldn’t surprise me at all. But we’ll bomb out in the quarters next year because we’ll go to the tournament with an old, over the hill squad of players who’ve been flogged to death and we haven’t developed alternatives. It’s painfully easy to predict exactly how this is going to end. Irish rugby’s knack for making the exact same mistakes every World Cup cycle is truly astounding.

FtD v2 · 18-06-2026 09:09AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124559609#Comment_124559609

Do you know what else has really become boring and predictable at this stage?

Reading your relentless misery-posts.

Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

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