Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

Great to see mid week games, hopefully, we'll see a few when SH teams tour here in the autumn too.

Also, probably means a bigger squad will tour

I believe it's crucial for the back up to get minutes. Maybe start Sexton in one game! I doubt he'll be left at home, he's a key to a victory in N.Z

The gap needs to be closed between J.S and the next in line. Hopefully, that's not achieved by age and loss of form. Sexton is so far in front of the others. He's still close to world class, atm. I don't see anyone even in the same postal code right now. I doubt we'll see another 10 as good for years.

I know there will be lots to get upset about without being annoyed by this. But I find it a tiny, tiny, bit frustrating that so much of the commentary when we play New Zealand is around JGP and Lowe as key players. It was the same in their post match analysis in November. Its hard to balance, because maybe they're trying to tell a "reject come good story" for their domestic audience, but it also often feels like having a pop at project players, or just generally trying to take credit for a disproportionate amount of Ireland success.

If he's only going to start one test, I'd say just leave him at home. If you're going to take him, start him in at least two, otherwise I don't see the point. I'd have said we should take him, but I think now I'm leaning towards leaving him at home. There are equally good arguments for or against. But the problem is, there's nobody else who's good enough to start a test v NZ, and we should 100% be gunning for at least a test win. NZ are going to be taking this series very seriously. They'll be going out to thrash us 3-0 after the November they had.

Whatever about the test series, I'd definitely give Ben Healy both Maori games. I think he's come on a lot this season. And maybe cap him off the bench in the 3rd test to tie him down if the series is gone by then.

I made the same point a few weeks ago.

All the irish players who went on the full lions tour have had injury or form issues this year.

A summer off would be more benefit to sexton. Or a sabitical when he comes back until after Xmas.

Very hard to see Harry Byrne travelling unless he really, really impressed in previous call-ups to camp. His very rare appearances for Leinster this season have been underwhelming at best.

I don't think Healy has really done anything against decent opposition to make a claim for being international standard but maybe he's worth a look given the absence of strong alternatives.

Otherwise it's Ross Byrne for me, even knowing that he'll likely never rise above squad cover.

Our back three for the first New Zealand test will probably be Lowe, Keenan and one of Hansen/Conway.

Baloucoune is a very good player, but he's clearly behind other wings in an Irish jersey. Lowe and Hansen had good Six Nations and the former has been shooting the lights out in the Champions Cup. Conway also has a lot of credit in the bank.

I don't think Lowe and Hansen went particularly well when playing together v Italy and Scotland. They're both quite similar in the way they play, always coming off their wing, getting involved, creating overlaps and linking play. But I feel like you need at least one winger with out-and-out pace who can beat a man one-on-one. That's why I'd go for Baloucoune on one wing and Lowe on the other. That's the best combo with the right mix of skill sets IMO. Baloucoune is also a very skilled footballer and quality reader of the game, which I think goes under the radar a bit. His performance away to Toulouse was phenomenal. He's definitely not just a pace merchant. He also can and does come off his wing.

VDF wins senior player of the year.