Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

Murray did well last week and was the right guy to bring on at the time, but against Scotland we'll likely be ahead on the hour and will want to speed things up and blitz the Scots in the last 20. That's why I'd like to see Casey on the bench.

I'd bring in Conan for POM and I'd also have Coombes or Timoney on the bench. I want us to go for maximum impact, rather than experienced, calm heads.

And I'd start Baloucoune this week, I think he's earned it and we need to get minutes into his legs as he could be a real asset for us over the next few years. We're likely to be on the front foot a lot v Scotland so it's a good game to give him a run in.

I'd also get Loughman involved. Not because I think he's outstanding (I think he's solid), but because Healy is finished, and if Loughman is the next cab off the rank, he needs the exposure. Killer from the start, Loughman on the bench.

Suggests Conan will start as well which would be a no-brainer.

We also have Scotland in our RWC group, one slip up against them and we don’t make a quarter final potentially.

I agree. I think a couple of changes to winning team is a good thing. I would much rather they rotate in new caps/inexperienced players to a settled, winning team than dropping them in after a poor run of results or be forced by injury to bring them in when they aren't ready. The days of picking the same 15 week in and week out are long gone, top teams are always rotating players.

It's very hard to pick, you'd rarely say you want to play NZ. But then France at home, who knows. Either is ridiculously tough. I just hope we go in without too many injuries and actually throw a punch or two.

Have they? No changes in 4 matches?

Edit: Just checked. You're wrong. They have made changes. Also the occasional change on the bench. And I think thats the right way to do it. Settled team with a couple of changes.

Hansen in for conway

Conan back in at 8 with POM dropping back to the bench. The right decision I think. Need more power up front.

Not much to say about it really, is there?

Really would prefer to see Baloucoune a right winger on the right wing and Henshaw, a superior player, Start 12.

Yeah I feel like we've missed out on not picking Baloucoune, his form is good and he is an actual right wing.

But in saying that I like Hansen and he has had a good championship so far and I'm sure will go well.

I dont agree. Especially the way Ireland are trying to play. Henshaw is a better player IMHO.

Take 2021 for example Henshaw was player of the year started 4 6 nations games at 12. Aki started 1 and get a red. Henshaw started 2 Lions tests at 12 and was one of the best players..

I aslo don't like Aki's tackle technique either. Too upright, got sent off last year and in WC and had a very close call last week v England.

If you want to just crash the ball up maybe,maybe he is a better 12. But if you want to play rugby I'd have Henshaw all day long and twice on a Saturday.

You don't think just maybe Scotland are targeting what they see as Ireland's weaknesses and playing a better kicker to target a weak full back under a high ball and a stronger runner to target an immobile Irish 10?

Scotland's issues this year have been aimless kicking and giving away penalties from losing the breakdown but they have matched all the teams they have faced up front. Previously Ireland used to destroy them up front and score points through attrition, i'm not sure that's going to happen on Saturday. Odds are certainly in Ireland's favour but Scotland have been in every game they played so I'm not expecting Ireland to blow them away. If it's close Russell could come on for the last 20 and cause issues.

Can't imagine they see Keenan as a weakness because he's not one. As for been in every game so far well they were demolished at home against France...