Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

Yeah Coombes was dropped, lets call it for what it is. He has the somewhat near consolation of a historic game for Munster. But missing out on caps in such a competitive backrow is a disaster for him.

No doubt Deegan, as a Leinster player, will get plaudits for doing normal things, and that will be that for Coombes.

Incredibly harsh given his performances in NZ were very good. Just one of those mysteries where a players face doesnt fit. we´ve seen it before with COoney, McCloskey etc. The latter, on Saturday, showed that up for what it was; nonsense.

Doris is fast becoming one of the best number 8s in the game.

A top class eight in international rugby needs all the attributes.

its hardly a cop out, given coaches have preferences. and he had a very good game against the Maoris in NZ. Deegan didn´t. so he clearly did show them something. Deegans a solid player, but like many Leinster players there is rose tinted glasses. He´s grand like. Coombes has had very big European games. He had a big game against the Maoris, assisting two tries.

SOme players faces clearly don´t fit. McCloskey is a prime example. he has been shoddily treated by Schmidt and Farrell has been slow to use him. Obviously Henshaw is World Class so thats one issue. All i´m saying is i think Coombes will be one of those players. It won´t matter given Doris is now undisputed first choice.

Dropping Coombes is incredibly harsh. and if there is one criticism to be had of Irish rugby (like under so many coaches) there is inconsistent decisions. Coombes hardly the only player to dirty his bib. There has been poor performances over the last while by any number of players in any number of matches and it didn´t result in them getting the chop.

again it doesn really matter in the grand scheme of things. you´d just hope it doesn´t affect his munster form and standing.

Irish rugby can´t be cribbing about size and then sidelining a mobilish 6,6 115kg backrow, or a 6,4 110kg centre.

he´s clearly not offering what Ireland want. We are looking for versatile, mobile players, with quick vision. Coombes is a slogger with a decentish pass. The great number eights are all rangy, quick, slick handlers, and good carriers.

Heś just another in a ling line of big Irish units that for whatever reason doesn´t conform to what we expect in an Irish player. and maybe have a soft underbelly despite the size.

Brennan, Costello, Casey, Browne, Buckley and so on.

Luckily now we are playing quick mobile rugby, not trying to match teams. We seem to be going a path of having guys slot in. Does Deegan slot in better for Doris. Does O´Brien slot in better for Keenan. sharing similar traits and the like. take Lowry, he is a more jazzy rugby player but maybe JOB slots in better.

It makes sense i suppose.

I feel Deegan needs big games to justify the faith shown in him. its a long time since the Junior WC hype and he´s effectively third choice 8 at Leinster.

I expect Coombes to have a huge game on Thursday and its possibly a challenge laid down by Andy. Maybe he doesn´t drop him completely if there is no Munster game.