Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

ElisaAtWar

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

Baloucoune and Lowry.

These players are only relevant against Italy and maybe Scotland. Otherwise these players are not significant to the Irish cause. I find it funny how you think Keenan or Stockdale or Conway or Lowry or Balacoune or Larmour can have any impact.

The Irish strategy is bog standard collisions. And another team manages to get the ball away before the collision happens it's just head scratching time for our Irish friends.

So while this conversation about our back three is amusing let's first accept who we are and what we do.

And the introduction of our injured heavies into the squad just backs this argument up

Lost Ormond

ElisaAtWar wrote: »

These players are only relevant against Italy and maybe Scotland. Otherwise these players are not significant to the Irish cause. I find it funny how you think Keenan or Stockdale or Conway or Lowry or Balacoune or Larmour can have any impact.

The Irish strategy is bog standard collisions. And another team manages to get the ball away before the collision happens it's just head scratching time for our Irish friends.

So while this conversation about our back three is amusing let's first accept who we are and what we do.

And the introduction of our injured heavies into the squad just backs this argument up

It isnt. Can you expand further on what Ireland do or what they should be doing instead of simply saying bog standard collisions?
What does that even mean?

UAEguy2020

Joma4good wrote: »

Bryan Byrne playing very well tonight for Bristol against an admittedly v.poor Bath, wonder if any of the provinces will take another look in his direction. Munster or Connacht could do far worse than persuade him to return.

I wonder now that he is playing for a team that actually practice lineouts that he all of a sudden can throw into a lineout...

ElisaAtWar

Lost Ormond wrote: »

It isnt. Can you expand further on what Ireland do or what they should be doing instead of simply saying bog standard collisions?
What does that even mean?

It's one off carries, it's slow line speed. These are the basics of Ireland. And against a Tier 1 team this is child's play. When was the last time you witnessed our good friends Murray and Sexton add something different. They just move the heavies around the park.

ElisaAtWar

ElisaAtWar wrote: »

It's one off carries, it's slow line speed. These are the basics of Ireland. And against a Tier 1 team this is child's play. When was the last time you witnessed our good friends Murray and Sexton add something different. They just move the heavies around the park.

Neither Murray or Sexton offer anything

Lost Ormond

ElisaAtWar wrote: »

It's one off carries, it's slow line speed. These are the basics of Ireland. And against a Tier 1 team this is child's play. When was the last time you witnessed our good friends Murray and Sexton add something different. They just move the heavies around the park.

Care to show clips or actually talk about what should be done, technical terms. what you would like rather than suggest they do "something different" or talk about "bog standard collisions". Talk about something that actually is relevant rather than spouting platitudes.

sydthebeat

Joma4good wrote: »

Bryan Byrne playing very well tonight for Bristol against an admittedly v.poor Bath, wonder if any of the provinces will take another look in his direction. Munster or Connacht could do far worse than persuade him to return.

I'd look good against Bath tonight.

Buer

Joma4good wrote: »

Bryan Byrne playing very well tonight for Bristol against an admittedly v.poor Bath, wonder if any of the provinces will take another look in his direction. Munster or Connacht could do far worse than persuade him to return.

He's first choice for the team topping the GP and is playing alongside some big names. He's only a 1 year deal. Bristol have big money available when he sits down to discuss his future.

He isn't coming home any time soon.

molloyjh

Buer wrote: »

He's first choice for the team topping the GP and is playing alongside some big names. He's only a 1 year deal. Bristol have big money available when he sits down to discuss his future.

He isn't coming home any time soon.

I didn't realise he was first choice. Fair play to him.

sydthebeat

Buer wrote: »

He's first choice for the team topping the GP and is playing alongside some big names. He's only a 1 year deal. Bristol have big money available when he sits down to discuss his future.

He isn't coming home any time soon.

Thacker is first choice, but out injured

UAEguy2020

molloyjh wrote: »

I didn't realise he was first choice. Fair play to him.

Funny what abit of coaching can do.

Buer

sydthebeat wrote: »

Thacker is first choice, but out injured

When rugby returned and both were available, Byrne was getting the majority of the starts with Thacker benching.

With Thacker out relatively long term, Byrne has been enjoying a huge amount of game time but he appeared to have the nod prior to that.

Paul Smeenus

ElisaAtWar wrote: »

These players are only relevant against Italy and maybe Scotland. Otherwise these players are not significant to the Irish cause. I find it funny how you think Keenan or Stockdale or Conway or Lowry or Balacoune or Larmour can have any impact.

The Irish strategy is bog standard collisions. And another team manages to get the ball away before the collision happens it's just head scratching time for our Irish friends.

So while this conversation about our back three is amusing let's first accept who we are and what we do.

And the introduction of our injured heavies into the squad just backs this argument up

I don't think anything about any impact. Someone asked about decent Irish backs with an all-round skill set, I mentioned two names I thought fell into that bracket.

Sometimes, people just answer questions that are asked.

stephen_n

molloyjh wrote: »

As I said, hyperbole everywhere. Not an ounce of perspective in sight.

Started watching rugby in 2019, it makes it a lot easier to understand. I’m telling you.

ClanofLams

Podge_irl wrote: »

He also would have been a prime contender for every job open before the world cup.

They didn't assume the good times would keep rolling. They appointed a coach who they had experience with who likely went through extensive interviews for the role and had a recommendation from our most successful ever coach.

I don't agree. Top tier nations rarely appoint someone with zero head coaching experience (occasional exception like Martin Johnson and none especially successful. No need to make decision at the time.

bayern

UAEguy2020 wrote: »

I wonder now that he is playing for a team that actually practice lineouts that he all of a sudden can throw into a lineout...

so are you saying leinster don't practice lineouts?

bayern

UAEguy2020 wrote: »

Funny what abit of coaching can do.

so they aren't coaching players at Leinster? that's your theory?

As we go into the International window, let's all try not to respond to obvious nonsense. It just encourages it.

UAEguy2020

bayern wrote: »

so are you saying leinster don't practice lineouts?

Apparently none of our hooker’s can throw into a lineout yet as soon as one of our hooker leaves these shores they all of a sudden can throw into a lineout...what changed I wonder?

sydthebeat

UAEguy2020 wrote: »

Apparently none of our hooker’s can throw into a lineout yet as soon as one of our hooker leaves these shores they all of a sudden can throw into a lineout...what changed I wonder?

Your base line argument is incorrect therefore everything else after it simply wrong. No point continuing to push it.

CMcsporty

Anyone confirm a likely lineup for Wales?

Leigh Halfpenny; George North, Jonathan Davies, JWilliams or Watkin, Josh Adams; Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies or TWilliams; W Jones or Rhys Carre, K Owens or Ryan Elias, Tomas Francis; J Ball?, Alun Wyn Jones (capt); Lydiatie, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau.

George North (and the Ospreys) looked good against Connacht.
Who are Ireland going to play against North?
Earls? Please not again!

thomond2006

Eh, I'd trust Earls over Stockdale or Lowe when it comes to defence.

North isn't a likely starter anyway.

CMcsporty

Stockdale is not in the squad
Lowe has been injured

And I would take Lowe all day every day over Earls.
North has been swatting Earls out of he way for years.
He’s playing well again.
Why do you think he won’t start?

thomond2006

North might indeed start as Liam Williams is suspended.

Earls' defence has been excellent in recent seasons. No concerns there. Lowe has had some howlers.

Most wingers would struggle against an in-form North.

CMcsporty

North will 100% start!

Earls defence has improved but has always struggled against big men when specifically targeted.
England have also exposed his defensive skills over the last few years.
I’ve said it before I think he is done at this level.

I doubt Lowe is going to play.
Daly would be a worthwhile replacement.
But Farrell only gave him a few minutes in the autumn.

Buer

CMcsporty wrote: »

But Farrell only gave him a few minutes in the autumn.

He was injured for the majority of the autumn. He only regained fitness for the Georgia game and, at that point, hadn't played in almost 3 months.

CMcsporty

Yes. And he got 18 mins v Georgia.
And Earls played v Scotland
Short sighted

thomond2006

CMcsporty wrote: »

Yes. And he got 18 mins v Georgia.
And Earls played v Scotland
Short sighted

You should write a letter of complaint.

Earls will be fine. I'd have no problem if Ireland moved on without him but that doesn't mean he's not a good option for right now.

CMcsporty

I’m not sure Farrell would take my concerns seriously.

You might pass on my concerns?

In the meantime I will have to make do with boards
I’m sure people won’t mind!

molloyjh

We gave 3 guys debuts in the back 3. Are we really calling that shortsighted given that 2 of those got a substantial amount of game time. This place can really be the pits at times. Its like people want to have these complaints to start with and then choose what things they want to talk about based on that and ignore everything else.