Six Nations 2023 - Wales v Ireland, Sat 4th Feb, KO 2:15PM - TV: VM1, BBC1, S4C

Former Former Former · 03-02-2023 10:47am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120195374#Comment_120195374

Tournament starts in 7 months.

If we didn't have an idea of who our best team is at this point, we'd be a lot worse off.

Interested Observer · 03-02-2023 10:52am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120195374#Comment_120195374

Do you think the RWC is in 2 years? Have you looked at a calendar at all recently?

OldRio · 03-02-2023 10:52am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120195374#Comment_120195374

You are fishing? Please say you are.

pickarooney · 03-02-2023 10:57am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120195283#Comment_120195283

Yes, but who are the players? And sure you can bring in 50-60 players but you can still only play 23 per game and the clubs are still going to need bodies for their URC matches.

Salanoa has been called up for Furlong I think.

03-02-2023 11:08am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120194808#Comment_120194808

All these dropped players are fine but who are you replacing them with?

Clegg · 03-02-2023 11:11am

I'm a bit disappointed for Jordan Larmour. I think it has gone a bit unremarked that he has been in excellent form for the best part of a year when fit.

He was great near the end of last season and was recalled to the Ireland squad for the NZ tour, but injury curtailed his involvement in that. Since his return from that injury he has consistently been one of the most dangerous runners in Europe.

He always had that incredible broken field play, but has also smartened up too. He's becoming better at breaking the line and then passing to a man in space rather than trying to beat every defender on the pitch.

Akrasia · 03-02-2023 11:22am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120195354#Comment_120195354

Roman Salanoa is being brought in to the squad for one game, and one game only apparently in case one of the two remaining TH props gets injured between now and Saturday afternoon

He'll then be sent home the moment Furlong looks like he might be fit for the next game.

Why not keep him in the squad?

Doak should be in the squad. He's a similar type of player to Murray. if Murray is there for a reason, then it would be wise to have a backup for him in case he gets injured/suspended

Tomas Ahern is injured now, but I would hope that he will be in the picture as a potential bolter for the RWC, and John Hodnett, as a specialist 7 should be in to cover in case something happens to Josh Van Der Flier

There is very little to lose from including more players now, in case they may be needed in September

Interested Observer · 03-02-2023 11:32am

Ross Byrne has shown far more at Euro level than basically any other OH in Ireland bar Sexton, btw. He's shown well enough in Europe this season alone that he's forced his way into the 23, and it's entirely a call based on how well he's playing.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120195502#Comment_120195502

Totally agree. Imo if he's not getting into the 23 on this form then I don't really know what else he can do, and sort of feel the same with JOB. He's been really excellent for Leinster over the past season-and-a-half when he hasn't been injured. Against Racing even his defence was excellent, some of the tackles were a little ugly but their winger got absolutely no change out of him.

03-02-2023 11:33am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120195549#Comment_120195549

Do you know a TH lock is a second row, that plays in the 5 position?

Why not just have all four provinces in camp together, 160 odd players, academies as well sure, there might be a "bolter" in there too.

Akrasia · 03-02-2023 11:47am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120195592#Comment_120195592

Yeah, I know he's a tighthead prop. It was a typo, I came back to finish this post and I had Niall Murray and Ahern in my head when i wrote that

pickarooney · 03-02-2023 12:02pm

I presume Munster will want Salanoa back in two weeks. If there are three fit TH props available for the week before the next 6N game I think it's benifical for all parties that he go back and help Munster win their club game.

I feel like you're actually taking the piss with Ahern, though. You can't seriously be complaining that an injured player hasn't been called up or complaining that he wouldn't have been called up if he hadn't been injured.

Typically Farrell calls up a starter, a replacement and a young player who is not necessarily third best but will benefit from time in camp. For the SH position this is Craig Casey. Calling up Doak as well would be overkill, IMO

03-02-2023 12:08pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120195662#Comment_120195662

Okay, because you also referenced needing a TH Lock in this earlier post on the same thread, because of Furlong's injuries, so didn't quite understand where you were coming from:

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120195283#Comment_120195283

Despite all the moaning, your sum total of guys you suggest for inclusion are: Roman Salanoa (who's been called in), Thomas Aherne (long term injured), Nathan Doak and John Hodnett?

Former Former Former · 03-02-2023 12:12pm

Hodnett looks a great player but after VDF, we have POM, Connors and Timoney. It's not a problem position for us that we need to be casting the net as wide as we can.

Interested Observer · 03-02-2023 12:17pm

Speaking of Connors, if he keeps making a tackle every 18 seconds he's on the pitch he'll be back in the RWC frame as well.

aloooof · 03-02-2023 12:23pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120195722#Comment_120195722

Largely agree tbh, but one small quibble that imo Casey is 3rd best anyways; particularly for the type of game we want to play.

molloyjh · 03-02-2023 1:04pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120195269#Comment_120195269

So you missed the point I made about Wales having a massive problem with NZ and that NZ are the only team to do that to them? You’re not disproving my point. If anything you’re just backing it up further.

Interested Observer · 03-02-2023 1:15pm

I wonder which Munster players Akrasia would pick to solve this massive deficit in power.

TRC10 · 03-02-2023 1:24pm

I think someone is seething that Coombes wasn't selected and has decided to vent their anger by laying into Farrell who is a rubbish coach who has just done literally everything wrong over the last 3 years. He just took the 2019 world cup XV and has played them in every single game and given nobody else a chance.

Interested Observer · 03-02-2023 1:27pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120196086#Comment_120196086

Is it just Coombes? I think just about everyone around rates him, but he's quite clearly not as good as Doris and there's very little in it between him and Conan, Conan with a larger body of work behind him and some really strong performances this season making the bench, is not a big deal. Coombes also had that dip earlier in the season where he was dropped from the squad.

TRC10 · 03-02-2023 1:30pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120196098#Comment_120196098

I agree it's no big deal.

Another poster however...

aloooof · 03-02-2023 1:33pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120196098#Comment_120196098

... and has played phenomenally well since. Equally isn't Conan in and out of the Leinster starting 15?

There's a perfectly reasonable argument to make for Coombes in and around the Irish 23 that has nothing to do with provincial bs.

phily2002 · 03-02-2023 1:39pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120196121#Comment_120196121

I agree Coombes is playing brilliantly. However swap him with Conan or Deegan and they starts every week for Munster. Coombes would be in a similar position to Conan/Deegan at Leinster where the competition is way greater and he would struggle for game time.

Former Former Former · 03-02-2023 1:41pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120196121#Comment_120196121

I guess the point is that Coombes being in or out of the 23 is a marginal call and doesn't really merit the type of reaction we're seeing here. That's where the BS comes in.

It's disappointing to see a few posters being so angry and unhappy about Farrell when he's been incredibly successful but also has been so consistent in rewarding performance and form with national selection.

Dubinusa · 03-02-2023 1:45pm

Larmour has been great. Playing some of the best rugby of his career. I think he should have gotten into the squad.

Ross Byrne is the 2nd most successful out half in Ireland, despite his limitations. He's played in big matches, has a fantastic winning % and is able to tackle.

Barring injuries. COOMBES is down the pecking order. Doris and Conan fit the plan better.

Not feeling too confident about this one. I don't believe we were great in the autumn and our bench looks weaker than usual. A win of any kind will do.

stephen_n · 03-02-2023 1:45pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120195299#Comment_120195299

of course 🙄

aloooof · 03-02-2023 1:46pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120196149#Comment_120196149

I think there's an argument he's playing better than Conan and Deegan, and it'd be 6. Coombes 8. Doris (or vice versa). Baird in the picture as well obviously.

But we can only go on what we've seen; and ultimately if Coombes is playing, and playing brilliantly, that's in his favour.

(And fwiw, Munster's back-row competition is pretty good at the moment too tbh).

aloooof · 03-02-2023 1:54pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120196154#Comment_120196154

I'd agree with a lot of that, but previously we've also seen posts saying Coombes was "hyped / gassed up". It works both ways.

I'd love to see him get a start in the next 5 games. It might take an injury and/or a bit of luck, but I wouldn't be surprised if, by the end of the tournament, he could force his way into the 23 at least.

Interested Observer · 03-02-2023 1:57pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120196121#Comment_120196121

If Coombes had been picked ahead of Conan I (in fact I'd say absolutely nobody) would be not on this thread throwing my toys on the floor kicking and screaming. I'm sure just about anyone who has watched any rugby since the AIs would agree Coombes is playing well. It's a marginal call. Conan is a very good player as well.

phily2002 · 03-02-2023 1:59pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120196180#Comment_120196180

Agree hes playing brilliant and personally I'd start him and give him his chance.

He's a huge advantage over the other 2 though. His early form was really poor but he still got lots of game time to play back into form which he wouldn't have got at Leinster as the competition is way higher.

Maybe Farrell still doesn't fully trust him. The NZ game was a low for him but Farrell knows with Conan and Dorris they'll always deliver better than that.

I hope he gets some meaningful game time though(not just Italy). It'll send a good message to the squad that if you work hard you get rewarded.

StevenToast · 03-02-2023 2:00pm

Ireland -6 with Paddy Power....Ireland will beat that and win comfortably enough......Wales will blow up in the 2nd half....maybe even after the first 20....

The Gatland effect chat is a load of bollèx....

Six Nations 2023 - Wales v Ireland, Sat 4th Feb, KO 2:15PM - TV: VM1, BBC1, S4C

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