Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

Crowley is the closest thing we have to a long term option but if he is not starting at 10 for Munster then he cannot expect to be starting for Ireland. RB is solid, with some nice skills, but will not set the world alight. Carbery is too injury prone (is he minding himself?). Carty is inconsistent as is Burns.

So...what you're saying is that connaught play all their games at home, or they have an advantage knowing the conditions?

No rugby player tries to 'mind himself', do that and you'll definitely get injured.

I'd love to know these wrong face lads at Connacht?

Interesting reading all the Byrne comments on here. Bottom line is Farrell has him now as backup to Sexton and I think it will stay that way for the wcup. Can't fault this decision if I am reading it right. Byrne is not Sexton but a good solid trustworthy out half with no immediate weak areas and he's hugely experienced and has guided Leinster very well in many key HCUP games at 10.

Third choice outhalf Crowley V Carbery V Other options pls discuss !!

I feel that Frawley will end up as a 12 in the long run. Just doesn't feel like a 10 to me.

Maybe a 12 who can cover 10 at a half decent level but still a 12.

But we dont/wont get the platform he gets at Leinster with Ireland. I dont think you can dismiss Carbery saying he has had his chance and should be dismissed. If that was the case then Byrne shouldnt have come back in after some of his performances with Ireland in past.

Look I am biased re Carbery. Watched him through his Leinster days and never thought he was a 10. Nothing I have seen at Leinster or Munster or Ireland has changed my mind. I think he had two good skills as a young player , one good under a high ball and in space he had the step and pace and vision to do something off both feet and when he played fullback he looked comfortable but got shoved into 10. I have heard the brains trust at Leinster had him earmarked to take 15 at Leinster post Kearney. For me he's done at 10 for Ireland and barring injuries I think we could see very little of him if anything in that Jersey again. Of course if we lose Sexton and Byrne he may feature but long term Crowley and others will I suspect eclipse him even post Sexton.

Byrne has developed and improved at 10 and matured hugely. He is a better 10 now than a couple of years ago. Carbery isn't improving ad far as I can see.

Ross will get a very similar platform at Ireland to Leinster.

I don't see it if he has quality outside him and a system that works. It just isn't an issue at Leinster. Stick Stu and Aki outside him and we have seen a problem but why don't we see the same issue at Leinster with Henshaw, Ringers, JOB, Osborne etc. I also don't recall his pace being an issue when he was on v France. Reality is he was constantly struggling with a midfield that wasn't working and we turn on Byrne lack of pace. Guarantee you if we have Henshaw and Ringers there for the last two games things will look very different.

Would it be better if Ross was quicker , yeah sure but across the board for me he is our best choice behind Sexton. Carbery is a doormat tackling wise, Carty flaky and Burns just isn't there. Yes Crowley could be the solution or possibly Frawley but right now for the wcup Byrne ticks alot of boxes.

Byrne's lack of pace is going to become the go to complaint about him.

Given his comparatively weak kicking is one of the main knocks against him, where he plays half the season is not insignificant. He has an attacking ability that's above the other OHs vying for no.2. There are other viable options for place kicker in the national team. On balance, I would consider him a better choice than the alternatives after Bryne.

I think he's been unfortunate in not getting more opportunities, in much the same way as Bryne was. He shipped a lot of blame for Japan, that was unjustified imo. Himself, Marmion and Blade should have had more caps, given the abysmal form of Murray over the last few years, and Casey's inexperience.

I have seen Byrne consistently improve so he has worked his way back in and is a far better 10 now than a couple of years back. I don't see any improvement in Carbery's game and little if any forward progress as a 10. In fairness to him he has had a torrid time with injuries so who knows what would have happened without. Sure if he improves and starts tearing it up for Munster he will be an option but personally think his opportunity has probably passed. I hope I am wrong. Lowe had some defensive issues which are sorted he has improved quite clearly and is now an outstanding international winger.

Would Baird be somewhere near the top of the forwards?