Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

I get the feeling that Jimmy O'Brien fits Farrell's game better. I am not a fan of Larmour and I suspect that Andy F feels the same. He gets into dead ends too much for my liking and often doesn't pass when a pass could potentially lead to a try.

Just thinking about the disallowed try at the start of the 2nd half and the amount of times JGP took that ball down the short side. It was weird. I think Australia were even down to 13!

Appeared to be a common trend with the scrumhalf taking more of the play over the Nov. Even Murray made a break in the SA game!

Ireland played allot through Park and McCloskey v Aus. Obvious enough because it was just Crowley's 7th start in senior rugby! Given the circumstances I think he did excellently. This was no rabbit in headlights e.g. v Scot 6N '13.

Only big concerns Ireland must have is the lack of cutting edge on 1st phase and continued inability to capitalise when they have the numerical advantage.

8 games for the provinces before the 6N squad is announced. Andy on the phone to his old buddy about max game time for both Carbery & Crowley.

Problem is that injuries will play a part. The more lads comfortable in the system and who can play competently, the better. There's so many moving parts to a tournament and it's hard to get it right.

One of my concerns is the refs. There's such a disparity among the way they enforce the laws. Plus, the pressure they are under. Reffing France will be a nightmare, imo. Coaches talk about small margins and these are the worries. Can we as a squad interchange players comfortably? Can we manage or kick on if Sexton goes down? We need to go into the world cup confident. The last time out, there was doubt, there was only one plan and we were brutal.

Losing the qf in 2019 was bad enough but, the way we lost was the disappointing thing. We were outplayed and out coached. Farrell probably sees that we weren't great this autumn and will need to work on some things.

The squad is not set in stone yet. There's not much time left but there are some spots up for grabs.

There is a a chance though that Crowley can insert himself as a viable back up. We probably can't win if Sexton goes down and that's unfortunate. It is poor that we've struggled to develop another quality 10.

But, it's still surprising that they didn't go the openside? They could have carved the defense open with a little bit of guile.

I could see 9 being a position with potential for disruption . There's no guarantee that JGP will continue to start ahead of McGrath for Leinster. They've gone back and forth over the years, and Cullen might need see a value in McGrath over JGP.

Additionally, I'd wonder if Farrell will want to have a 9 who can take on running a game more directly, given the issues our attack has had without Sexton. A 9 in the classic French mold of Parra or similar to how Aaron Smith ran things vs us in the first test.

Maybe it's a case of JGP playing 'heads up' rugby as opposed to logical rugby!!

If Ireland are ever lucky enough to encounter this situation again they better just put it through the hands. Nice and simple.

Against NZ in the 2nd Test they also had the red and yellow v's an uncontested scrum. They went wide but over complicated it a little and Lowe knocked on.

In fact Ireland didnt manage that period v NZ against the 13 men at all well either. They force it or rush it a little when they have the numerical advantage.

Doak might be in that mold perhaps, though I doubt he'll threaten the 23 for another season. I'd say Cooney fits it too, tho obviously he's not an option.

I dont think JGP is the same player without Sexton dictating the plays and also Henshaw outside sexton giving additional advice.

He seemed to want to "mind" Crowley and just made a number of mistakes and poor calls.

I also thing he is targetted under a high ball. France have done it a few times and now Australia too. When JGP kicks his box kick he doesn't chase it.. he sits back in the back field.

If the opposition win the kick I have seen a few teams target him with a kick straight away.. he has lost a number of these.. its just not a strength of his game.

I thought JGP played pretty well when he came on against SA. Agree he wasn't as good against Aus.

JGP and Keenan just returned after long lay offs. I do think JGP is better alongside Sexton but, Oz really put it to us in the rucks. We tried running McCloskey up the 10 channel with not enough support. Oz were all over us at the breakdown. Oz also did well under the highball. It's usually a good strategy for us and we generally kick chase very well. Was our kicking game poor? Would Murray have done better?

We won all 3 matches so there's that. I still think we have some things to work on. The revolving door of Sextons back up continues. For such a big event. Crowley did fairly well. JGP was poor and our wings didn't play very well. Farrell has really got quite a good look at several different lads under different types of matches. While we can point at lads missing etc, we really benefited from the other boys stepping in.

Craig Casey did really well when he came on. He's a real talent and he will be vital for us going forward. Ross Byrne is decent and cool under pressure. I doubt he's in the plans barring injuries. He would be a break glass option.

Overall, we did ok. Some lads bedded in and we were under stress. We managed to get over the finish line and physicality wise, we did well. I do think that Oz will be happy also! Their backline has quality and the pack was good. They are building a little. Who knows, the grouping that they are in and the pathway to the semis, Oz could be there this world cup.

Is James Lowe really 'vital'? I wouldn't have thought so

i think lowe is going to be a very interesting one when he comes back. he was fantastic last season and so many have him as a nailed on starter, but he also had a pretty poor season previous to last so i dont know should he necessarily be a guaranteed starter yet

if his form is anywhere near where it was then he most likely will be starting every big game. if it isnt then there are others who can fill that role (apart from left-foot kicking maybe, but that can be worked around), should be pretty straightforward

Lowe is vital to how Ireland play I think. Farrell wants his wings to come infield and acting as auxiliary playmakers. Lowe has an excellent offloading game and is very adept at drawing the man and passing. Suits Farrell's tactics well.

He's also a brute of a carrier and is more than capable of getting over the gainline as a crash ball option.