Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

Jaysus I wouldn't like to be the person telling Aki he wasn't starting.

I don't really care which 2 of the 3 start. They're all class.

Agreed. An English friend of mine was saying how he doesn’t rate Aki as he felt he was a second rate Tuilagi. Seems a lazy comparison to me as they’re completely different players. Whilst Aki is very physical he’s a lot more evasive with his running and has worked on his passing game. Tuilagi is a great man to crash it up but doesn’t quite have the other aspects to his game IMO. Aki’s left to right pass for Ringrose’s try looked easy on tv but I’m sure anyone whose played the game knows that’s not an easy skill to perform whilst running! Henshaw might have to wait until Italy to put his hand up.

Disagree with both points.

While Henshaw may be the better rugby player, I strongly believe Aki plays the 12 role for us most effectively. If he's fit and on form, I'd have him at 12 every time. Every big win we've had since 2017 has been when Aki is playing. He does everything you'd want from your 12. Henshaw I feel is much better in the wider channels.

13 is between Henshaw and Ringrose for me. Ringrose is in top form right now so I see no reason to change the centres for France.

Looking back at the game, I reckon we left about 2-3 other chances to score go by not including Sexton's missed kicks. Quite frustrating and we'll have to be more ruthless next week against France - it was fine to give up those scores against a poor Wales putting in a workmanlike performance, but I think we'll need to keep the scoreboard ticking over a bit better against the French.

Aki played first receiver a tonne on Saturday and the possession wasn't going to him to crash the ball up. He's intelligent in how he uses it and his subtlety is really underrated. Sexton is having a field day drifting out the back as second and third receiver. Aki plays an important role in that. As much as I like Henshaw I don't think he'd do the job as well.

Farrell won't be dropping anytime soon. Henshaw will have to fight for Ringrose's place in my book.

I guess you'd have to bring Henderson and Henshaw onto the bench then, Henderson is a no-brainer and then Hume obviously in very good form and has done nothing wrong but I don't see how you leave a fit Henshaw out of the 23.

Id imagine the only potential change barring a fresh injury or illness this week for saturday will be Murray for JGP.

On the bench I'd imagine Henshaw comes back in for Hume as he covers 12 and 13. (And 15 :0 ).

Delighted to see Ringrose get 20 minutes on the wing and showed up well coming back in field. Perfect opportunity to have a look at those options at 29 nil up.

Also Henderson for Baird.

You were saying Murray might start v Wales as well and I don't understand it (or at least one poster was, not 100% sure who)

JGP didn't have a good first half on Saturday. He threw a really poor pass to Aki's shin, and made a few dodgy decisions. But he tidied his game up and was back to the level we saw from him in November in the 2nd half.

So much of what we do well right now is grounded on moving the ball away from the ruck quickly so that the opposition can't generate linespeed. That's how we get on the front foot.

If we slow things down v France and allow the Shaun Edwards blitz defence to get up in our faces and shut us down, we're in serious trouble. That's why there's no question that JGP starts. And if he pulls out I'd start Casey.

Despite some obvious clangers in selection last year

Where are the clangers? Noting that a lot of guys were only there because of injury, it wasn't a bad selection.

You're right TRC10 that was me that suggested it.

I'm still not convinced on JgP. He had a very poor first half. The ruck ball was slowed by Wales and as a result he was slow and when he comes under pressure he made a number of mistakes. That aki pass going left to right(his biggest weakness) was very poor and under no pressure. He had 3 or 4 poor passes and kicks. His accuracy isn't great and he will be found out again v France the same as last year, when he missed a big tackle in lead up to France's first try on 28 minutes and only for lowe's 4 missed tackles the same day he avoided the spotlight.

Id argue Irelands new way of playing is more down to changing up the first/2nd receiver than jgp's speed. That keeps the defences guessing and creates more space for attacks.

As for his running threat. Murray in 10 minutes made over 20 metres compared to jgp's 3 metres in 70 minutes.

I just think Murray who has his negatives is still an all round better scrumhalf than Jgp and id prefer to see him v Dupont the best in the world at that position.

I also think Doak will over take all of the irish options in the next 18 months if he stays on his current trajectory.

I'm sorry but no. You don't change something that worked so well. Henshaw shouldn't get back in unless things are less than stellar.

I think Henshaw is an outstanding player and if he played the weekend instead of Ringrose then I'd say Ringrose shouldn't get back in if we had the same level.if ay from our centres.

If only he had one..

Well the ones that wont be in a 6N XV again in particular. I know you had a different opinion on some at the time.

Preamture. Yes. But i think reasonable. Two of the best teams.

Ireland are at full strength and playing great. Everything is good in the world!

Im confident Ireland can beat England IF we have this pack and JGP. It's a bit mad that Park has become so important!