Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

Frawley brought in though, so potentially Byrne 10, Crowley 22 and Frawley as backup.

Frawley is similar to Crowley, I'd say it's not a straight swap for Osborne, Henshaw back means no need to replace Osborne, so bringing in Frawley and releasing Carbery is probably more because neither will have any chance of being involved in the match-day 23, and wants to see more of Frawley.

This is how I'd expect the squad is currently viewed by Farrell:

Porter, Sheehan, Furlong,

Ryan, Henderson,

O'Mahony, Doris, Van der Flier,

Gibson-Park, Sexton,

Lowe, Henshaw, Ringrose, Hansen,

Keenan.

Replacements: Kelleher, Kilcoyne, O'Toole, Baird, Conan, Murray, Byrne, McCloskey.

Wider Squad: (HK) Herring, (LHP) Healy, (THP) Salanoa, (Lock) Treadwell, (8) Coombes, (6) Prendergast, (7) Timoney, (SH) Casey, (OH) Crowley, Frawley, (Centre) Aki, (Back Three) O'Brien, Larmour, Stockdale.

Potentially but personally id put a bit more weight behind starting 12 v France over starting 12 v Italy.

Sorry what?!? The Dropkick Murphys? As in Ken Casey and the lads from Boston?

If it's a decent day on Sunday, take a walk out from the city to the stadium, plenty of bars and hotels along the route.

Fans will congregate in any of the Irish pubs (there are lots) and the Three Sisters as mentioned above will be absolutely rocking.

Aki is also used to playing with a 10 who can cover more space than Byrne who has a mobility problem. He's very slow. Ringrose and Henshaw know about this so they adjust for it, but Aki probably hasn't played beside Byrne too often.

Thinks lads like Frawley, Osbourne and JOB aren't far from simply being better players outright than McCloskey and Aki. Almost wish there was another half season or so for them to gain the exposure to push ahead of them.

I think having Gary Ringrose available allows ireland to pick a centre on the bench. When he has not been available( v Italy and NZ) and out of the 23 it's Earls or Jo'B on the bench.

If Rignrose is out sunday for example and Stuart is 12 and Henshaw is 13. I'm not sure Aki is 23.

I am impressed at how McCloskey has done. Sometimes a big bullocking center can be a ace in the hand. What's striking about McCloskey is that it's usually 2 lads or Sometimes 3 lads to bring him down, leaving the defensive line stretched.

At inside center we are doing well. It's hard to remember a time when there was 3 options like we have now. After these boys, there's a drop off in talent, unsurprisingly.

Right! It's hard to play that kind of game. Maybe Schmidt was looking for something similar when he move Coughlan into the backline.

McCloskey is like a back row in physicality. He brings a strength to the carries. Aki also, although Aki is a threat to pinch a turnover. I would have liked to see Chris Farrell play at 12 for Munster. He also has the same attributes.

I think Hume could be looked at at inside center. He's not as big but he's pack and a strong lad. Of course, post world cup.

Agreed. He's done really well since he got back in the squad after rendering himself permanently unselectable by refusing to be part of an Ireland squad, so he could nstead travel to Europe to follow the Northern Ireland football team in the Euros (c) this forum several years ago.