Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

Thomas Aherne and Jamie Osborne as development players is unreal for their development,

Frawley is another great inclusion - assuming the man can stay fit.

ZEBO! ZEBO!

From what little I've seen of Sheahan this season, his throwing hasn't been as much of an issue as last year - so happy to see him there if that's the case.

Only negative in my opinion is Dillane; who had a terrible Summer series and is a known quantity at this stage. Don't think Whycherly and Moloney were the answers mind, and I know this place would've erupted if Kleyn had been chosen; but I think Dillane is another player that doesn't offer a whole lot at international level - and we'd've been better of choosing another option.

No real surprises? Delighted for Ahern and Osborne! No Doak is disappointing and I thought Prendergast might be squeezed in.

I think Healy may see his 1st action at th! He can prolong his career, if he's up for it.

No Burns or Carty? Surprised with Burns omission. Looks like Carberry is still the heir apparent! HB will probably only see a few minutes off the bench. I assume he will play for Leinster this week!

Not for me. I like it.

Typical 38 man squad or whatever it is. Not much to get outraged over.

As an Ulster fan I'm surprised Stockdale isn't in there, I read that he was back for Ulster this weekend and would also have liked to see Doak named in the development squad as I think he would benefit from the exposure. Actually the more I think about that the more I think it's an opportunity missed.

Good recognition for Timoney's form who might get some minutes with Connors missing.

Also pleased to see Hume in there. I think he might surprise a few non Ulster fans. He's a classy player. With Henshaw out and Farrell not in the squad he will almost certainly see some gametime.

From a more broader view I'm disappointed that Henshaw is out.

Obviously Healy is there, but will we see a front row of Porter, Kelleher and Furlong at any point. How exciting is that.

I think we're developing a really powerful pack, when you consider the second row options and also at 6 and 8, we're maybe missing a bit at 7 so will be fascinating to see where we go in terms of selection there, fully expect Van Der Flier to start, but will Farrell opt for O'Mahony.

I hope we see a lot of Craig Casey at 9 during the Autumn as well. I'd have him on the bench for all 3 matches as he could really up the tempo in the final 20-30 mins.

With all three of Sexton, Zoolander and Harry Byrne being injury-prone I can definitely possibly see Frawley picking up some minutes at stand-off. If he doesn't get injured himself, that is.

Frawley is listed firmly as a Centre on the coverage of the announcement. I'd say either Ross Byrne or Billy Burns would be parachuted in ahead of him in the event of two of the three 10s selected going down with injury.

Agree re: Lowe. He's just not as good as we thought! Boards will be great if he starts ahead of Zeebs! I would pick Zeebs myself.

JGP being trusted again! I think he's good enough off the bench, but he's in a logjam with Luke, Marmion and Blade. Perhaps Farrell has settled on JGP for the future. Casy is well deserved. He will kick on and I think he gets by Murray over the next couple of seasons.

I hope Healy is tried at th! Could be a rock solid scrummager. It's well worth a look. It's fairly safe to assume that Moore; John Ryan are finished as test level players. Bealham seems to be in the frame with O'Toole jostling for position

I've stated in the past that I would not be surprised to see him included in squads and teams.

I will restate that if and when he retakes the field in green it will be an utter blot on the jersey. A low character individual that we simply do not need.

I'd usually agree, but there are no URC games during the November window.

Wonder if there’s an element of Earls being there to mentor Balacoune. You’d be more concerned if he’s in the squad for the 6N. He’s been a great servant and won’t let us down but it’s time to move on as you’re in trouble if you’re relying on a 34 year old winger 18 months out from a World Cup

Is Healy expected to play as a LH?

Excited to see Frawley at test level.