Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

I wasn't too disappointed when Kelleher went off as it meant Sheehan got some real good experience that will bode well for WC23.

I wish we'd had the same opportunity with Balacoune. Conway will be 32 at the next WC and I don't think he'll be a starter.

Similarly, Casey should be on the bench ahead of Murray. Murray will be 34 at the next WC and it's not like Murray is offering so much more than Casey.

I was just thinking there that a lot of our main team right now will be in their 30s come the next WC.

Furlong, Beirne, Henderson, vd Flier, Conan, JGB, Sexton, Murray, Aki, Lowe, Conway.

The age profile of the french is unbeliavable. Ntamack, Jaminet, Jalibert, Aldritt, Bamba, Woki and Villiere all at most 26.

that wasn't the point. the point was France have thought and looked outside the box. Can we really say Ireland have?

its hard to tell if the players being released from camp is a good or bad thing.

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he has a bit of filling out to do. Baird is the same. yet you'll have people waxing lyrical about the "monster" Flament, who is nearly an idenikit player to him.

Ryan is just as lacking bulk as him, hence our power issues. in fact Ryan's lack of bulk has been detrtimental to him, as we saw with the lions.

he's not the answer as he can't get selected for Munster. And its clear Irish rugby is prioritising athleticism, smaller bulk over larger body sizes.

The point is we have and do produce large men. but for the most part they aren't deemed good enough.

oh yeah for sure, but in terms of selection for Italy. most of the players released have played within the last month

Just heard this morning on Off the ball.

definitely don't produce the Willemses. but i'd argue that a willemses wouldnt be allowed develop. Hayes and Buckley and Casey spring to mind (before you nitpick the two formers were both originally second rows)

whos that belvo lad in school. whats the bets he comes out into an academy and sheds that bulk.

if Willemses came into the Irish system he wouldn't weigh 21 stone.

Quinn Roux was also once a 21 stone TH lock

it was Quinlan who said it. anyway its part of the percieved size thing. Antonio took a huge chunk of that for France. Look at Wokis actual weight and height.

Farrell himself got annoyed about the size thing last week in a presser.

Personally i don't buy into as much. but we can't complain when its clearly a strategy to desize guys like Roux. And in the end we nearly won because of it. but we've stung alot now in clutch games. rugby is a game for all sizes and sometimes we need the bulk. i suppose its just a shame that all our big men of the past have been considered differently and possible liabilities at the top level. not sure is it a bias or actual lack of ability.

either people want Baird or the like a few kilos lighter or you want him heavier with a little decreased athleticism.

casey is way too much of a hot head and needs to cop on , his tantrums could lose mtaches

Id prefer Marmion or Doak instead of him. Casey would be 3rd choice at best in both Connacht and ulster.