Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

Yes that makes sense. It would be better if they were starting those games though! They have the greater ceiling/ability to really push for senior squad. O'Toole and Frawley? With respect they aren't and haven't been the guys that are pushing Beahlam or Carbery for the backup slot.

The Frawley at 10 is a particular head scratcher to me. I think he's a really good player but he's simply not going to get enough minutes at 10 with Leinster to make this a worthwhile venture.

When something happens to Sexton its going to fall to the Byrnes at Leinster. And Carbery for Ireland.

If something happens to Carbery at Munster it's going to fall to Crowley at Munster. And thus Crowley for Ireland.

That's a really exciting A team.

Not sure how I fell about these games though, I've often thought in the past that one off A games can do more damage to players than good though. Play well and it's only an A game, play badly in a team that has just come together and you get written off for life.

That said this Irish management group is doing a lot to expand its playing options and is investing a lot of time in Irish teams below the senior side, so the players are getting good opportunities.

Next question is how do I watch this in Northern Ireland? I assume the IRFU haven't signed a TV deal that has excluded fans in Northern Ireland as that would be beyond outrageous if they have. But as I say I doubt they would ever consider doing that.

On the Ireland A as a positive or negative...taken alongside the EI tour I think it's a very positive departure. Ireland's squad depth has been our Achilles heel more often than not. 2 or 3 injuries and we get into trouble at the best of times, and more than that we just can't stay at our level. So developing opportunities for peripheral and younger players to get exposure to training camps and competitive international matches can help expand the pool of viable players.

Massive game for Frawley. He’s started 4 games at 10 in two seasons including the NZ tour. If he is mostly playing 10 for ireland, then he needs to be really solid in each game.

Our A side looks pretty strong. I am disappointed the Casey won't get a run against SA. NZ look to have a young squad. I know little about them. Delighted for Deegan! I hope he gets in and tears it up. I wasn't aware thar Molony was selected? I think he should be starting.

This team means that Murray and Healy will play Saturday. They are both on fumes, imo. We'll probably lose if Murray starts. But, it's not the end of the world. I reckon Friday's match will be a really good encounter.

And captaining? Mad...

Edit: maybe the captain issue was an error - seems not to be mentioned in the article now, though it was earlier

Pack seems light to me.

Not sure what we can do about that. It's not like we have a stock of 130 kg behemoths just hanging around Carton House

Wouldn’t be surprised if Thornbury shoots up to fourth choice lock now he’s in camp. A really good player at at 6’8 one of the tallest locks in the country.

Before his last big injury he was probably the most in form lock at the time. That season he was a real jackaling threat. He’s also a brilliant line out option both offensively and defensively.

All the games are being shown on Amazon Prime. You can also get it free for a month and then cancel it. I use it anyway but it's basically a free month.

That isn't even a little bit true. The props and sexton and keenan are about the only set positions on the team.

Amazon.co.uk: Autumn Nations Rugby: Prime Video

It looks from the above like the NZ A game isn't being shown on Prime?

The obsession over our park size is just dull at this point. Listening to OTB last night and the journalist saying how the majority of the Irish pack had been 'destroyed' by Saracens, La Rochelle and France over the last few years. I guess we all have very different opinions on 'destroyed' in mostly one score games..

Sorry. I meant the A.I. games......