Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

Funny how you haven't been coming into the Ireland thread to lay into Ulster players after their poor performances of late, or Munster players after their losses this season (of which there have many).

Yet when Leinster have an off day but still win, you go to town on a young guy who is realistically nowhere near the Ireland squad.

I was quite a nifty player myself in school. Had trials for Leinster u18 when I was 15 (wasn't selected). They should call me up for the 6N.

Coombes also had a very good performance in his first senior cap and was one of the best players to feature in the Maori games on the NZ tour. However all that is conveniently forgotten in order that some posters can dismiss him due to a poor performance two months ago (where everyone stunk up the place), despite the fact that he's been one of the best performing back rowers since.

This place really is a midden. It's no wonder it doesn't get anywhere near the same amount of traffic it used to. Blind provincialism masquerading as informed opinion.

It's apt because Lady Gaga is probably older than you'd think

Coombes played 5 times with Ireland including Twice in NZ against the Maoris where he scored 2 tries and 1 time with Ireland A

(ratings from rugbypass when available so not biased towards any province)

First game was 10 mins off the bench against a Beaten Japan - No ratings as he was not on long enough

2nd Game was starting against the USA in 2021

He scored a try

https://www.sportsjoe.ie/rugby/ireland-usa-player-ratings-231935

1st Maori game where Ireland Lost - Coombes scored a try and assisted another

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/ireland-player-ratings-vs-maori-all-blacks/

2nd Maori all blacks game where Ireland won and Gav scored a try

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/ireland-player-ratings-vs-maori-all-blacks-2/

The only other game he has played was for the Ireland A team against the NZ XV. Everyone played badly that day and the whole team was dominated, but even still, Rugby Pass gave Coombes a 6

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/ireland-a-player-ratings-vs-all-blacks-xv-autumn-nations-series/

Does Coombes fit the team? Really playing well is one thing but, if coaches are looking for other things like mobility and speed, it doesn't matter. Back row balance is key. What is the make up of our best back row? Obviously, VDF is miles above the others. Doris is ahead of his competition and there's only one other up for grabs. Injuries will adapt the players and schemes. I.E, if VDF is out who's next up? I think it would be POM or Timoney. If Doris goes down? It's most likely Conan at the moment, he fits the structures and has been in the system.

Provincialism is one thing and yes, we're all guilty. The blindside position is likely POM; Doris (if Conan is at 8) and Prendergast. Prendergast has been insanely good since his debut. But, he's likely going to earn caps after the world cup. Saying that Conan has fallen off the edge is insane. He's fallen behind Doris and has Deegan (world u20 player of the year) to contend with. So, yea the standards are ridiculous. Coombes has no real contender to supplant him at Munster. At least until Gleeson and Quinn come through.

Basically, Farrell decides who fits the style and does the best job. JGP has nailed down the 9 jersey. I think there's others who could be better 9's but don't meet the requirements for that role.

Coombes was a non entity in the first Maori game. You are the one trying to conveniently forget or perhaps re-write history. He was good in the second game. Maybe you should look closer to home for the blind provincialism.

Did you read what I was responding to? No comment on that no?

Prendergast has not been "insanely good" for Ireland, he's been grand and loves to give away a few stupid penalties every game, I wouldn't be surprised if he's not involved in the 6N squad.

I literally quoted RugbyPass (owned by world rugby) which said Coombes was the best Irish player that day.

Ehhh. Prendergast has been brilliant for Connacht. Fantastic player.

It matters in they don't have the provincial biases that any Irish based journalist would have.

My 'Rantings' yeah. I'm ranting sure

Coombes does have competition... And mentioning Deegan u20 world player award is a bit like mentioning JJ hanrahan nominated for award. its irrelevant. inconsequential to a lot of players careers.

Yeah. The pattern is, when there are choices to be made, the player who plays for Leinster gets picked

Cohesion and all that