Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

Don't think anyone can claim that Sheahen is clearly at another level to Herring or one or two others...not yet anyway.

We have very different expectations going into this match then. I'd be really disappointed if Ireland lose by 15 to 20 points. If they lose by that sort of margin then I'd question what progress they've made since the WC never mind 2018.

Not sure about the other 2, they might be but can't say for sure.

Sheehan 100% has world-class potential. I have no hesitation in saying that. The guy is a physical monster for a hooker and I've never had question marks over his set piece the same way I did for Kelleher.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if he's our first choice hooker by the end of the season.

What's wrong with Coombes? Hopefully it's not the China Virus.

I can't believe some of the revisionism thats going on, especially in the press, since Saturday. Its as if we are coming out of the dark ages under Joe and seeing the light at last. Are memories that short? Hes the greatest coach we've ever had and brought us to heights we only dreamt of. And now its good to be emerging from that!!

It happens like that sometimes, the incredible highs are balanced against the view that he didn't adjust as quickly as our opposition did and a disastrous World Cup was the result. His record is incredible but he had 2 disappointing world cup campaigns so that's part of the story. There's also the view, which is unfair to Joe, that Ireland had been underperforming for years, perhaps since professionalism, and the team never displayed the kind of consistency that Munster and Leinster achieved over the same period. Joe seemed to have turned that around, and then...

Anyway, I'm believing that one swallow makes the Summer after the Japan game and I'm fully expecting team of us to batter the ABs on Saturday. Any other result and Farrell/Sexton/Catt/POC/POM/JPG/Lowe/Keenan/Ryan/Furlong/the BRs, etc are all dead to me.😎

I hope Beirne get the 6 jersey. He's the best forward we have, imo. Clearly can play 2nd row and 6 at a very high level. I think Pom will start at 7. I hope not, as VDF is playing outstanding rugby. VDF will double digit in tackles easily. I would also bring Kilcoyne onto the bench. At this point , he's a better open play option than Healy. It was a fine performance this past week and I expect a close match this week. Conway is just a pleasure to watch! How can he be dropped this week?

I do think Balacoune will be the future. He seems to be the full package! I hope he gets into the starting team v the Pumas. This week Farrell will be judged more than at any other time during his tenure.

The performance will be crucial. We will see if the team is developing. It's nice to have the options that are available us! Zebo and Larmour waiting in the wings and prospects like Hume and Frawley in the wider squad!

I'd be shocked if Herring starts, he's competing with Sheehan for the bench spot. Kelleher is way too good around the pitch. Having said that, Herring's darts are more consistent and the connection with Henderson (should he start instead of Ryan) has value, I just don't think the value of that exceeds what RK brings, it's crazy too think how young he is, and Ireland fans are blessed that we can look forward to the RK v Sheehan tussle for the next decade.

Schmidt had 6 games against tier one teams in the World Cup and finished 3 and 3. He beat Scotland, Italy and France and lost to New Zealand, Argentina and Japan. We lost our 3 games by an average of 20 points. Its a pretty poor return.

They are staying in the Conrad on Earlsfort Terrace

He could give someone else the captaincy but it wouldn't change the fact that Sexton is the leader in that group.

If he gave say Ryan the captaincy he'd only be "captain" in name. A bit like when Heaslip was given the captaincy but everyone knew Drico was still the captain.