Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

What games do you think this happened in out of interest?

I meant Burns specifically, not Ulster.

Billy Burns was not the reason Ulster lost to Gloucester, he played well in that game and scored a try. They were missing basically their entire forward pack and were winning when he went off.

He missed the Toulouse game last season and went off after 16 minutes in the Toulouse 1/4 final.

So you're basically criticising Burns with 2 games he didn't even play in.

He was also good in the Challenge cup, scored tries v Quins and Leicester and set up the winner v Northampton, and was not the reason Ulster lost to Leicester.

Beirne is just back from the Lions tour, very successful for him personally and he didn't play a minute in the second row.

He made his name at the Scarlets and they also used him as a 6 or 8.

In the 6N this year, his MOTM displays were in the back row IIRC.

Munster are the only team who seem to see him as a second row so I hope that changes tbh. If Snyman ever plays you'd imagine it will

As for Ryan, well, his form definitely needs to improve but I'm optimistic it will. Not going on the Lions might turn out to be the best thing for him.

He played in the 2nd row a lot for the Scarlets as well to be fair.

I definitely think he's best at 6. I like my locks to be a bit more abrasive anyway.

I think now that there's a vacancy in Munster's back row, and with Snyman back and Jenkins coming in, he'll be playing 6 for Munster

Well, up to now, Ireland have seen him primarily as the guy who plays wherever the first choice guy is injured.

I think Beirne’s best chance at being a genuine first choice for Ireland is at six.

It's worth remembering that James Ryan was playing well in the 6 nations. He was badly concussed and wasn't near the level we expect when he returned. The biggest worry for me is, can he survive without getting more concussions? Healthy and getting a run of games, he's our best lock.

For me Beirne should be at 6. He's a beast! I see him as massive advantage over opposing players at 6. For openside, I think VDF is our best option. His play has evolved and he carries the ball really well.

Conan and Doris will be battling for the no. 8 shirt. Coombes will be in the mix too.

I think Doak will be in the mix soon. He's the best prospect at 9 that I've seen. He's a complete player. I would say that Murray will get the nod for the next 6nations, but only based on reputation. Casey is nibbling at his heels and Blade could push past him this year. Murray is nowhere near world class and I think he's on the downside of his career.

At 10 we're fecked. Sexton is still the best option. The others are seriously deficient. Carberry is woeful defensively, RB is slow and a non threat with the ball in hand and Burns is no better than a back up.

HB is unproven and probably over rated!

I'm curious of Coombes' true dimensions. He's down as 6'6", 110kg on the Ireland and Munster sites. If he is really 6'6", there's no way he's only 110kg, certainly 115kg+.

Dave Kilcoyne said in an interview with the 42 when talking about the no.8s he's played with over the years: https://www.the42.ie/dave-kilcoyne-gavin-coombes-ireland-5481534-Jul2021/

"Gav is naturally the biggest I have seen. He can be anywhere from 114 to 119kg depending on what breakfast he has in the morning."

Thought he'd be more poet than joker?

This is exactly what I mean. You can't say anything about POM that isn't utter praise or certain people are up in arms and defensive.

POM is a bloody legend. I love the man. But when was the last time he put in a game changing performance (other than Wales in this year's 6N).

Your claim that Connors hasn't started any crucial matches is just false. He started away in Paris last year with a title on the line and he started a must-win game in Murrayfield this year.

You even admit that Connors has usurped him. How can you claim one is better in their hay day when one hasn't even had his hay day yet. You even said yourself Connors has a way to go, so you contradict yourself.

Connors will 100% be a better 7 than POM ever was, because POM was never a 7.

That one trick is better than what POM managed during the 6Ns.

LOL! One trick pony having his hay day (sic)!

Impossible to say it this point, but the approach NZ is taking means the All Black's are unreliable.

I suspect we will see a few teams pull out and end up with another 6 nations + 2 comp. Like last year

Hated by Awec?