Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

Open to correction but I would suspect a scrum half covers vastly more ground over the course of a game than an outhalf. A bunch of Leinster players were interviewed earlier in the season and when asked who was the fittest in the squad quite a few named JGP as having a serious engine (a few mentioned Keenan also).

I would suspect in most settled teams the scrum half has a higher scoring rate than the out half but on the wider point of athleticism I'd agree that Casey is a good deal more athletic than Byrne, but also needs to be more athletic as a 9 regardless.

Going forward individually ball in hand Casey is going to be more of a threat, defensively Byrne is more likely to gain parity in contact with a forward but ultimately both are in some way limited, whether under the heading of athleticism or size.

I think the way it looks, we're going to bring 5 BRs, and at the moment the Irish mgmt don't consider any of the contenders in the 7 shirt good enough to justify a spot.

The options are probably Scott Penny, Nick Timoney, Will Connors and John Hodnett. The first three have been in camps (though not recently in Connors' case), and Timoney and Connors are capped.

Of the 4, the closest in style to me is probably Timoney, but his form has been hot and cold this season.

Connors hasn't played a lot of rugby, and is a clear third choice at Leinster at present. At the moment, it's hard to see him featuring in big games for Leinster before season end, but maybe the SA tour will serve as a chance for him to play himself back into form and contention.

Hodnett hasn't been in a squad (apart from the EI tour), and, for me, has been poor the last two weekends, when the Munster back row have been comprehensively outplayed. Some of it is the way Munster seem to use him - he spends a lot of time waiting in wide channels, where tbf he can carry impactfully, but to me you don't see enough of him at breakdown.

Penny might have a big opportunity this week if JvdF can't go against Leicester. He was called into the squad in 6N, and will be opposite a good Leicester backrow. He has the best chance of staking a claim I think.

I'd largely be in agreement, but a few points:

Healy is nailed on presuming he's fit. His performance against Scotland and ability to cover both sides of the scrum make him invaluable. I'd say it's between Loughman and Kilcoyne for the last spot, and Kilcoyne's form surely has him trending downward.

Ciaran Frawley could yet be in the mix as the 10 option who can cover the back three and midfield (same as Crowley & Carbery).

I think JOB is a notch higher than Larmour, Stockdale and Baloucoune at present, though this could change.

Jamie Osborne would be in the mix of guys who could feature through injury to others - his versatility alone here would make him invaluable. He has a higher chance right now than Frisch definitely and probably Hume as well (given Osborne was in the 6N squad and Hume wasn't).

Other options / bolters for me, though very outside chance: Michael Milne (more because of issues others are having in the position), Calvin Nash (I think his skillset would fit well in this Irish side) and Harry Sheridan (in the Joe McCarthy role).