Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

Connors did a knee ligament (not ACL) towards the end of last season. Still hasn't returned to training.

Thought he'd be back by now. Been 6 months

Playing for a maddeningly inconsistent team.

He's a good player and in good form. Not saying he's the answer to all our problems but I think he should get a shot.

Of all the 10s who've deputised for Sexton, he's looked the best.

Baloucoune has been injured this season, and has played part of one game. In terms of ability, I'd have him ahead of Lowe, certainly, but he's just had an injury at a bad time, and since he's only just been capped, doesn't have the international track record that others (Stockdale, Zebo) do, that would get them back in.

He plays for quite an inconsistent team. Doesnt get armchair the others get in the league most weeks. Cartys kicking is good, attacks the line well.

Not sure how you could justify leaving Blade out of the team. I'd like to see him and Doak getting reps.

Hard to have doak and blade in the panel. Are you leaving out Murray or casey?

If doak isn't officially selected hopefully he is called into train with the squad.

other uncapped players who could be called into train might be frawley and b healy and diarmuid barron to have 4 hookers for scrum training. * if sheehan is named in official panel.

Healy has performed against Glasgow (A) & Harlequins (H) to name 2 games, also was pretty good against Scarlets in the first game of the 2020/2021 season. If a young 10 is putting in good performances, has potential and we haven't got a clear pecking order for the 10 shirt I dont see what the logic is in waiting any longer to pick him, same with Harry Byrne.

Hasn't Ross also performed in big games last season like Montpellier away and Exeter away? But struggled against La Rochelle for the exact same reason that Sexton struggled against Saracens in the QF in 2020, because his pack was monstered...

Wycherley simply isn't tall enough to play in the row at this level. He's 1.93/6'3. I don't see how he could be considered. He's be blown out of it in the tight. He's not as tall as most international team's flankers.

I'm not sure if Zebo deserves a call up. Lowe imo, doesn't. Wycherly is interesting because he is not a starter for Munster! But, he is a fine player. Ross Molony I feel is deserving of a call up. He's tearing it up at the movement.

It's strange that HB is possibly included, coming off a hip injury and being 3rd choice for Leinster. But, I suppose potential is key. Connors missing out is a shame. I wonder if he will be back at all this year! Making the 6nations might not be in the cards for him.

Overall, Farrell has done a lot to improve the squad with depth. He has been open to bringing in new blood. But, there is not too many opportunities left to experiment.

If our backline does not click, Catt should be canned

Or other posters stop feeding the fire

Just heard that squad announcement not till 5.30pm - are they waiting for injury updates or something?

Say that's likely it alright

The issue is we only have had 4 games to base a selection off of so we don't have a-lot to go on unfortunately. Im not too sure about canning Catt but we absolutely need someone to come in and fix the backline attack, one other factor I believe in us being reliant on Sexton is we almost have to have a 10 to overcomplicate because our backline play is an absolute joke at times, you'd swear the backs just met just a-few hours before the match and decided to practice some basic moves in the car park like a average underage AIL side would do.

Regardless of our selection situations we will go absolutely nowhere in the RWC if our backline attack doesnt improve significantly as its a huge handicap on the pack as the opposition know in their 22 they just need to focus on the pack as they know if we spin it wide the move will either be predictable or just a mess. I always think you can tell how much or little work goes into a backline attack based on what a team does on a penalty advantage and with Ireland every single time we get it Sexton gets the ball and kicks it away, some of the time to absolutely noone, that tells me all I need to know about what work is done on the backline. If we could improve the backline attack to the same extent we improved the pack's attack (The Irish pack was probably the best pack in the 2021 6N based on stats and impact) then we will be sucking diesel.

Think this is why Zebo would get the nod as he can play wing or 15 whereas for Munster Haley has just been an out and out 15.

Preference would be to drop Murray, something that should've happened a season or two ago.