Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

But we would have learned nothing about Carty and Sexton goes into the next game without a match in five weeks.

Carbery earned the start, made sense to have Sexton on the bench.

I thought he was dreadful. A lot of articles have been written about how Ireland has made a concerted effort and a lot of progress to move away from Sexton as it's most important playmaker. But I just don't see it that way.

We were utterly dreadful in the 50 minutes Carbery was on the pitch. Attacking structure was non-existant as noted by Quinlan on commentary. Carbery just made the wrong decisions at the wrong time.

He wasn't the only player to do so, but as the 10, how the side attacks is up to you, and we were terrible today when he was on.

Italy don't have to match numbers, they can defend with seven or eight or six or two or whatever

Carbery has a long way to go to be anyway near the level of Sexton. I know there is no pressure, but it's just been different class since Sexton came on.

Players understand the concept of commit your man, right? POM inside the wing there, just shovels it on. Criminal, even if we scored a few phases later.

A fair bit of indecision, but a very new and young team so no point being over critical.

I said myself earlier, on the Red card mess that +50 was a respectable target and they achieved that.

Whole new ball game in Twickers with the First XV in a fortnight.

Meh, pity about the red, it’s hard to keep your shape and do the right thing when the game is over with an hour to go. Lowry looked decent enough and I enjoyed Bairds try, apart from that I wouldn’t have much to say either way about any of the players.

Matt Williams can **** off. Horgan injecting some sense.

I thought so too. More straight lines needed. The Italian defence was able to drift too easily and we weren't pressing home the numerical advantage.

It should have been so much easier. Carry the ball, commit the defender, recycle...rinse & repeat.

Worts thing today is having to listen to Matt Williams drivel and Horgan lapping it up.

VDF was brilliant yet again .

Sheehan was top class in all aspects of play .

Doris isn’t doing enough with or without the ball to justify his place. Can Baird play back row ?

Lowe did what was needed and did it well.

Lowry was very good in attack , no idea of his defence form today

Casey was his usual lively self when he came on.

furlong looked disinterested after 20 mins , Bealham needed more game time.

POM looked puzzled when Italy went down to 13.

sexton was a step above carbery , but he’s a step above any other 10 in Ireland at the moment.

Ringrose and henshaw forgot they were playing against 13 . Run straight lines please.

Hansen was poor and i have to say I don’t see what he’s adding to the team over larmour, Conway etc.

Night and day. The scoreline flatters Ireland's performance but until Sexton came on they were very poor considering the the red and the amount of space Italy were giving up. Some poor decision making across the board, even Furlong fluffed his passing lines.

Dorris made 8 tackles missed none. Also made 96 meters(only Lowe better). Had a turnover and also dominated a tackle resulting in a turnover. Considering he played 52 minutes I'd say he was OK...

I don't think Sexton is that in need of minutes at this stage. Carty coming on would have allowed for a pretty optimal comparison against Carbery, who in no way has earned a start imo.

I'd say that's very harsh. A lot of praise for Sexton who played well when he came on but he wasn't doing that with poor service. JGP had a number of moments today where he was slow or took the wrong option. Casey really sped things up when he came on and I'm not going to criticise him for sniping, too few of our scrum halves look to do it. It keeps the defence honest.