Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

It isn’t only about winning this game though. It’s about solidifying our form from the 6Ns and building confidence. It’s about getting ready for a massive test next week. It’s about trying to find the right balance between the now, the short term future, the medium term future and the long term future. It’s about managing players (both physically and mentally) to ensure they can deliver to as close to their ability as possible etc etc etc.

And while there is no one singular concern at play here, the sh!t show we’d face if we lost at home to Japan certainly wouldn’t be worth it. So yes, winning this game is a consideration too.

As I said before, the plan was to have a 4 Test series. This would have allowed for more experimentation and more development. That’s gone now though so we need to just deal with the realities of that. For all we know at this stage anyway we will see a bit of a mix this weekend.

We don’t have to learn anything. What we know and what we don’t is utterly, utterly irrelevant. The only people whose opinions are relevant are the coaches. And they should be learning loads about players without ever having to play them in Test matches. If they aren’t then they aren’t doing their jobs.

That’s not to say that they know it all and are always right and can’t be questioned. But it does mean that these Tests are categorically not the only way that the relevant people can learn about players.

Who do people think will be our best out half not including Sexton by 2023? Farrell must think it will be Carbery or Harry Byrne. I just wonder is there any chance Ben Healy or Ciaran Frawley if really given the chance could prove to be the best option? Really given the chance is the main thing. All 5 out halves I’ve mentioned are at 2 provinces along with Ross Byrne and Jack Crowley. In the other 2 provinces there’s Carty and not much else. Billy Burns isn’t near international standard in my opinion. Out half is probably the most important position so I just wonder would Ireland be much better off if the out halves were spread out between the provinces and have a potential starting International out half starting and really developing in each province instead of Carbery, Healy and Crowley having to share game time at Munster and Harry Byrne and Frawley (who’s not being played at 10) having to share with Sexton and Ross Byrne.

Frawley isn’t playing 10 for Leinster and isn’t going to be playing 10 for Leinster, unless there is a massive injury crisis. It’s safe to say Frawley is not a 10 and certainly not an international 10.

He isn’t playing 10 for Leinster because of the other options they have and his versatility. He has played there before though and it’s possibly his most natural position.

It's funny that sexton came out and said that Farrell and the management team have come out and said they are already talking about and planning for a tournament nearly 2 years away and then potentially have the short-sightedness to pick a team for Japan with only the next week in mind.

He's a more natural 10 than Carbery if you ask me.

While he has some filling out to do, I wouldn't be one bit concerned about his size at 12.

He's 6'3" and well north of 90kgs (although likely not the 98 Leinster and Irish Rugby bill him as)

Someone like David Havili is smaller and lighter.

No one is saying he should be playing 10 for Ireland and nobody is saying we shouldn't see how he goes at 12.

But it's a valid and interesting discussion as his original position is 10, he has many attributes of a 10, he's had many a good game at 10, and we currently find ourselves in a bit of a predicament at 10.

Stephen Larkham wasn't a 10 originally.

It probably is unlikely but it's far from impossible. I'm not having a go here but surely we should be encouraging having discussions, not trying to shut them down.

We're 2 years out from a RWC. At which, POM will be 34 years of age.

I love POM but IMO he would have to be miles better than the other backrowers and in pretty spectacular form to justify his inclusion at this stage in the cycle over

Coombes (24)

Doris (23)

VDF (28)

Conan (29)

Beirne (29)

And unfortunately I don't think he's clearly better than any of those guys

Same goes for Earls. Love the guy but he'll be 36 at the RWC and we have some seriously good alternatives who are arguably as good now and will be in their prime in 2 years

There's a big difference between 34 and 36.

I dont think POM is a better option to start over any of the other options at 6 7 or 8.

6. Bierne, Coombes, doris

7 vdf ,timoney, connors(inj)

8. Conan, doris coombes

But I think he is am excellent squad and Bench option as he covers all positions adequately.

A jack of all trades. Master of none

No I agree completely.

My point was more that his age compounds the fact that he probably isn't the best in any position anymore, and the likes of Doris and Coombes are likely to improve further while POM, at this stage in his career, is unlikely to improve.

When NZ won the WC with McCaw, Nonu, Smith and Carter, those guys were all undisputed 1st choice. As much as I love and respect POM, I'd be amazed if he's in the squad that goes to France.