Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

We can agree on that. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns etc etc.

And in fairness to Farrell, all the things that are being said about Ryan were also said about POM and Murray. They were undroppable until they were dropped. I don't think there any sacred cows with the current coaches, they'll play the best man for the job.

But Ryan is playing really, really well since the 6N. If we're picking the team for the first test based on form, he's going to be in it.

When he's at his best, I think Henderson is our best lock. But the problem is he's just so inconsistent. He'll have a game where he's just phenomenal, but then go missing for the next three. When he plays with aggression he is unplayable, but so often he looks like he's just going through the motions. And his discipline at times is horrendous. Against England he was comically bad. He didn't show up at all on the Lions tour last year, and I think he had a real chance of starting a test.

Ryan is consistent. He's not a "moments player" like Beirne. But he's our best lineout jumper by a distance, his offensive breakdown work is outstanding, his tackle count is usually one of the highest and metres per carry is very good. Has he hit the heights we maybe thought he would? Probably not, but that doesn't mean he isn't a very good player and deserving of his place in the team.

I'd like to see what kind of game plan we could build around three big units at 4, 5, and 6.

McCarthy, Kleyn and Beirne for example.

Possibly even Coombes at 8 to add extra bulk.

To get away from this interminable argument. The 8 forwards selected against France for the Six Nations is our best pack available. There's a very good mix of dynamism and solidity to it.

We know that France threw themselves at the breakdown and stopped us from sourcing quick ruck ball. But our forwards fought their way back into the game and weren't far off winning the match in the end.

That's a pack that can absolutely take the game to New Zealand.

1 Andrew Porter

2 Ronan Kelleher

3 Tadhg Furlong

4 Tadhg Beirne

5 James Ryan (Captain)

6 Caelan Doris

7 Josh van der Flier

8 Jack Conan

When was the last time all three were fully fit that you can say it with absolute certainty? Who was dropped at that point?

I don't see it as one or the other. If we're selecting on form, it's Beirne+Ryan. I don't think that's controversial. I like Beirne at 6, I think it's his best position. But that means dropping a very good back rower and starting an out of form Henderson instead.

If we're talking about Leinster forwards whose place should be under threat, we should be talking about Jack Conan.

Healy is knackered, Denis Buckley as a surprise

Prendergast has to play

Marmion or Blade back in the mix

Dreams, sweet dreams

Let’s watch the remaining urc games which should be full on to see where the form is

I suppose that's Earls on the boat to New Zealand, with his central contract announcement. I don't think I'd take him. There's probably room for 6 or 7 back three players; I'd be thinking Lowe, Hansen, Baloucoune, Conway, Keenan, JOB and Lowry. If Conway doesn't make it with this leg injury of his I think there'd be more upside to including Jamie Osborne as a utility back than squeezing Earls in.

osborne has played very well when picked but he surely has to be way down the pecking order at the moment? even just looking at leinster, larmour would have to be ahead of him due to having built up credit in the past

id like to see haley go ahead of JOB/Lowry if it were limited to the numbers you suggest, not that either of those players have done anything particularly wrong but i think haley has been fantastic for the last few seasons and deserves a chance. i can see JOB losing out to larmour in most games for leinster next year too so i dunno is there much point in trying him out

Isn’t that exactly what we want, genuine competition in all positions?

it may put some provincial fans nose out of joint, come selection time. It’s good for Ireland though.