Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

Ive no issue with imports, irish rugby in general would not be where it is without them.

But if we are going to give opportunity in the national team to some imported mercenary deemed not good enough for their own country then they should be better than anything we have.

There is no way that Lowe, JGP and burns for that matter are better than any of the Irish options available and its a fcking disgrace that homegrown players are being overlooked for these mediocre imports.

another thing, if james lowe played for any other province he wouldn't be getting another opportunity like he is now.

I think Lowe is on his secret squirrel last chance. There's no justification to keep him on board if he's as bad as he has been. I expect him to improve! There's no way that a guy playing international and 1st team rugby for Leinster could be this poor? But, time is running out, there's other options available and some are better, imo. If he doesn't show any defensive improvement, he should be moved on. I say that over the course of the next 6 months.

He probably will be better. I can't see how he couldn't be.

Note to self: stop engaging

You are equally not an Irish fan if you wilfully ignore all the problems and are happy for us to walk off a cliff knowing. Its good atleast some of us are acknowledging our pending disaster by doing what we are doing 2 years before it happens as now we have time to fix it, normally it takes us until its too late to stop it.

There are alot of Irish players who rarely play their natural game for Ireland, we arent exactly the best of getting the best out of our squad.

burns has never shown anything in Ulster that warranted his inclusion in the Irish set up ahead of players produced here. he is the perfect example of a very very average import taking a place that he didnt deserve or earn, the fact that he isnt in the squad now just proves my point both from a historic point. He wasnt good enough then and he isnt good enough now.

Nothing bitter about lowes inclusion, he just doesnt to be included and there is a clear bias towards leinster players over others that is nothing to do with begrudgery.

The ignoring of connacht players like TOH, buckley, muldoon over the years, munster players like zebo, ulster players like ballacoune. Name one leinster player that should have but wasnt included and you might be able to refute my point.

Any thoughts on our possible strategy for Japan?

their team looks mobile so I’d assume we’ll get their trade-mark style of fast-paced exciting attack from them but maybe our pack will create a lot of opportunities for us to keep possession and build phases.

What was the context of Sextons comment? Was that off the back of questions about him playing in the World Cup? “One swallow does not a summer make”.

Posters on here and pundits make a big thing about cycles between world cups. The setup itself, take it one game or one block of games at a time. There will of course always be a focus on development.

I’m sure the IRFU would love to get past a quarter final in the RWC. But consistent performances that lead to full houses and commercial endorsements are far more important. Therefore any coach is going to select to win the games in front of them. Not some possible game in two years time.

You want to sacrifice our strongest team to get experience for other players. Which would probably lead to us getting thumped by NZ like Wales did. Though I somehow suspect that would make you very happy if we do get thumped.

Listening to Murray Kinsella and Bernard Jackman on the 42 Rugby podcast. They're both in agreement about the pack looking pretty good.

Farrell had a blueprint of what be wanted his forwards to be and he's brought that to fruition. They're abrasive and extremely athletic with well rounded skillsets. Every forward from 1-8 is comfortable in handling the ball and linking and offloading.

Both pundits think the next test is to utilise the forwards effectively. We have genuine playmakers in all units of the pack and if they're just asked to bash through walls it will be a huge waste.

Conan was kept out by CJ, and had CJ not retired then conan would have had the summer off.

Luke mcgrath has had plenty of games and its being kept out of the leinster and irish team by a leinster player. You cant claim that as bias.

I completely agree that Leinster have better players, a completely general statement thats irrelevant to ignoring of lowes terrible performances for ireland

If zebo has a ‘self centered attitude” then i would be very interested to know what you call sextons.

Is Doris up to that physicality?

Conan isn’t that type of player, he’s more of a runner than a crash ball man. I doubt he would make huge dominant tackles like CJ did, but he’ll bring other attributes to 8.

maybe Coombes or Deegan woul, definitely Ruddock could.

to be fair, Earls was long a defensive liability. I don't think Lowe deserves a spot, but he looked better in Leinster's recent games.

Earls is solid these days, and I've really enjoyed his renaissance over the last few seasons. Defensive lynchpin might be slightly over egging things 😉