Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

Very successful year. Winning Triple Crown and coming 2nd in 6N to a very good French team. Winning a tour series in NZ then winning all autumn internationals including games vs South Africa and Australia. Irish rugby has come a long way.

So, with Sexton out and a novice at 10, we scrape a win! That's the best news. Crowley has been getting some flak and I think it's misplaced. He didn't have a platform as the pack was under pressure. This is where lads learn and gain experience.

Oz are big lads, very big! They are also skillful and fit. The results they have this year are bizarre! I can see them making a good run next year. I think that backrow was top notch and we struggled with them. Regardless of how the ref ran the breakdown, it's our job to lay the ref. We still have a way to go.

I think that Beirne at 6 with Henderson in the 2nd row would have benifed us. Henderson was missed. We do have options going forward and there's always going to be injured players. The depth is developing in the squad. Yesterday would have been ideal for Loughman to be tested. The 6nations is coming up and I am fairly confident that we are in a good position even with key lads injured.

I actually think this little wobble is at the perfect time for Ireland. The Farrell-era attack has been tearing teams apart that are set up to play against our Schmidt-era narrower attack. Teams are now set up to play against the Farrell-era attack, and we're struggling to look as convincing. Better this happens now, and we have a year before the RWC, to make the required adjustments.

Josh van der Flier.

Best player in the world.

Sexton, Furlong and Beirne also making the dream team. Good representation for us overall.

I wonder if the IRFU could host a EI type tour next summer. Or even an A squad to run out against some world cup qualified sides? There was the Tblisi event a few years ago. I would think that this type of challenge really does bring out some players.

Larmour was brilliant when he got back at the end of last season. He's just been really unlucky with injuries. He has something the other wingers don't have with his footwork. If he comes back in that form he'll make it. Conway also on form is brilliant.

I think it'll come down to form and injuries. Serious competition there which is great.

I'd go with the form 5 out this 6

Lowe, Keenan, Balacoune, Hanson, Conway and Larmour.

I can't see Earls or Stockdale getting back in unless there is injuries

The Larmour from last season has everything JOB has and an ability to spark a break from nothing. Remember he's slotted into the centre fro Leinster and looked comfortable there. If he can get an injury free run, and play like he was last season, I think he takes a spot.

Spot on Podge. Made Leinster debut in the October or November after that Lions summer. He wasnt even 21 years of age in 2013 for the tour...

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.