Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

No. Marmion is massively overrated by Connacht fans. He simply isn't that good. He is quite possibly the most overrated player in Ireland.

He possibly is by Connacht fans but isnt near the most overrated player in ireland. theres lot more in some of the "bigger" provinces who are much more overrated

When Munster played Ulster (mostly 14 v 15) Casey was definitely the best 9 on the pitch that day.

This might have been a deciding factor

This is true because Carty has famously unbreakable elbows

Compared to who?

He plays behind a pack that struggles in games at times...

By the way when he played NZ...

This is what the New Zealand said about him when Conor Murray was rated the best SH in the world

"Replacement for injured Conor Murray but proved he isn't necessarily second best."

This is what they said about his opposite number that day:

"Aaron Smith - 5

Selectors will have to question whether Smith is now the All Blacks' best halfback."

He is playing at the moment up to that form from before...

He clearly outplayed Casey in the two meetings with Casey and Doak when Ulster played...

He is far faster to the ruck than Murray at this stage.

His passing has Carty taking on the line more than any out half in Ireland, if it was bad out halves wouldn't be taking in the line that much.

The 2018 GS should have been Best and Kearney's swan song, but the RWC was 18 months too far for them.

Kearney was one of the better performers at the RWC, and while Best was definitely past his prime, I don't think playing Herring, Cronin or Scannell would have made much difference. Apart from those two, it was a young enough squad and the problem was much bigger than their ages.

As for our rivals in this 6N, well England always name these training squads with loads of new faces, but it rarely translates to test selection. Wales would have a much older squad if AWJ, Owens, Tipuric and a few others weren't injured.

The age profile of the squad is absolutely fine, with the exception of out-half.

Wales are only 0.5 yrs younger with a whole bunch of experienced guys injured who would clearly bump that average age up. Also, averages are thrown out by outliers like Sexton and Healy so aren’t always instructive.

We had a better age profile in our 23 vs NZ than the Kiwis did that day, even with Sexton and Healy in there. We don’t have an issue with the age of our squad outside the small number of obvious cases. Broadly speaking we’re fine.

Players should only be moved on once there is a viable alternative who can deliver. The obsession with age is a complete nonsense. If they’re good enough then age (older or younger) is irrelevant.

That said we already know we have issues at LH and at 10.

Complete nonsense.

Conor Murray was an excellent 9, one of the best in the world but he hasn’t had a good game for Ireland in years. Marmion has comprehensively outplayed Casey twice this season.

No doubt he’s unfortunate not to be in the squad.

That's a weaker side than the one which beat New Zealand last November. VDF, Ryan Kelleher and Ringrose all need to come back in.

Nah, the only weaker player there possibly Carty, but seeing as Sexton hasn't played in months and no guarantee he'll be able to go on the tour to New Zealand and perform, then I'd be moving on from him for this 6 nations.

All those you listed aren't playing as well as the players I named, though Henderson has been injured still rate him higher than Ryan.

It's still unclear though who is available for the first match at this point which adds some doubt over any selection call.

Maybe against Italy but even then I couldn’t see it.

VDF and Kelleher have definitely been in better form than either of their counterparts. As for Ryan and Ringrose it's probably personal preference, but for me their performances for Ireland last November cemented their starting positions for the 6N. They were.both excellent. Maybe Ryan won't make it as he's still not fit. But if he starts this weekend I can see him starting against Wales.