Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

Id be absolutely shocked if you can find any post that says Japan doesn't matter. Unless it's in the context of "its 2022, the world Cup in Japan three years ago doesn't matter"

Your entire post comes across as a sulk because the players you want picked aren't picked.

Hume got on the pitch against Italy. Rb just isn't good enough.

With the loss of Porter, our tilt with England is tougher. But, we know this. We know there's a lack of depth in areas of the squad. We can still win, of course and can still finish 2nd.

18 months out from a world cup and In the worst possible grouping, the idea of Healy or Kilcoyne being back ups, or even starting matches, is a long shot. If Porter goes down during the early stages of the world cup.... we'll be home early.

Farrell has to get someone involved, who can step into the role. If that's Healy or Kilcoyne, we won't go far. But, if they are the better option, so be it. I doubt the summer tour will be used to blood new players. Imo, it should be. The older lads should be left home. There's nothing gained bringing Sexton, Healy or any older regular to NZ.

There's still time. There are opportunities to get lesser players involved, who knows, they may be good enough!

Farrell has shown many times that he’s more than willing to give someone a start if they show the potential. The sad fact is that currently there is no one else who can step up in a couple of key positions.

this is a lazy response, but I remember one of the irish rugby podcasts pulled some numbers on this, and basically we're doing well with this overall and above average.

England were much worse at the time. It would be interesting to see some infographics on it though, or even just basic numbers. I'd love to hear an open policy from the IRFU, senior mens teams on what their aims are, not just spin, but to set our their stalls on the aims. Including if aims are monetary as many claim, e.g. winning a decent 6N pot.

he's not IQ? what does that mean?

Some try from Robert Baloucoune. Raw pace.

Actually I need to apologise. I thought you meant Ross Byrne.

And I'm not xenophobic. I just think we don't use the rules intelligently enough.

We play 3 IQ backs against a second tier team like Italy.

Our biggest issue consistantly over the past few years is we get bullied up front by bigger more physical teams.

France for example bullied us at the breakdown last month. England too over 19/20.

France have identified and supplemented their homegrown talent with FQ players like Antonio and Willemse who are 20kg and 10kg heavier than their opposite numbers When playing us.

We on the other had supplement our homegrown tallent with a small player who's been a sub scrumhalf all his career and a flighty winger who seems to lack concentration.

My issue is not that they are not born and bred irish, its that they don't offer a significant improvement on our alternative current homegrown options.

If we are going to use IQ players it should be "go big or go home" and in the front 5.

We produce plenty of scrumhalves; Murray, casey, blade, cooney, mcgrath,doak etc and plenty of decent back 3 players Conway,Earls, baloucoune, larmour, keenan, lowry o'brien,zebo etc

That's my issue with the IQ players

Good response. 👍

You are aware you can become Irish Qualifed by residency or be irish qualified by your heritage. IQ can stand for both.

I've heard this a few times... But I really didn't see this quality performance in France that others seem to have

When you think about it, there's quite a bit riding on this weekend.

If we win we're in prime position to pick up a triple crown (not that triple crowns should be the sum of our ambitions in this era, but it's a bit of silverware and you'd rather win it than not)

A win also keeps us in the hunt for the championship, depending on France's result in Cardiff on Friday night which won't be easy for them. A long shot because the championship is France's to lose.

If we lose, it's been three poor 6Ns in a row for Farrell. And one could argue that bar one good November series, the Farrell tenure has been a poor one. That wouldn't necessarily be my position, but one could make that argument, and no doubt certain people will should we lose.

Back three straight shoot out.

Left wing: Lowe v Hansen

Right wing: Conway v Baloucoune

FB: Keenan V lowry.

No real stand out utility player for the 23 Jersey. Carberry can cover FB so need more of a wing/ centre cover. Hume maybe.?

Baloucoune should be starting for me.

Conway is a good, reliable player, but we know his level and let's be honest, he's not going to massively trouble any of the big boys when it comes to the crunch in a world cup knockout game. He's not in the top echelon of international wingers like Kolbe, Penaud, LRZ, VDM, Mapimpi or Jordan. Baloucoune could get to that level and has been in electric form, he needs to be given a chance.

Casey and Carty should be in for Murray and Carbery.