Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

While alot has been made about crowley and healy being picked for Munster the last few weeks and carberry missing out since the Sharks loss in Europe.

Less has been made about the fact that Conor Murray is back as the first choice 9 with munster and Playing past 70 minutes the last 2 weeks against the bigger south African packs and picked to start again this week.

I wonder does this leave the gap open for Blade or even mcgrath or doak to sneak into the irish squad at the expense of Casey.

Casey had an excellent opportunity to get ahead of Murray this year at munster and failed to capitalise on it.

I dont know since the 6 nations casey has started only 1 game for Munster. Was whipped off just after half time and has only had 5 minute cameos since. His size is a worry against these bigger packs.

While doak is unlikely to get picked since he has dropped back behind cooney recently he did start 2 of the emerging ireland games..

mcgraths familiarity with the leinster players could have him included in the training squad.

saying all that Blade is probably most likely to be involved given he was around the 6 nations squad.

From what I can gather Casey was first choice for Munster up to the end of the Euro group stages, he started 3/4 include the away game to Toulouse in Jan, but he has only started 2 games since then (someone correct me if I'm wrong). That's two starts since January 22nd. One was against Italy where he was fine and the other against the Sharks which seems to have firmly lost him his place in the team. He got a grand total of 16 mins gametime in the two league games in SA. I'm sure he's more likely to stay in the squad than not but it's not ideal for him running up to the RWC. I'm sure earlier in the season he'd have targeted breaking into the Ireland 23 but that looks fairly impossible this side of the RWC.

Balacoune looked very good going forward. Ulster don't use their wings the same way that Ireland and Leinster do, to his detriment.

Blade certainly put himself in the shop window with his performance against Ulster.

I thought he was unlucky not to have made a squad already. I think at this stage it might mean an injury somewhere for him to get in.

Think Frawley prendergast and Job will be nailed on for the RWC squads if fit. All looks in form and showing versatility, whilst also looking to be highly rated by the coaching staff.

Crowley and Casey could come under pressure from Harry Byrne and Blade, but would think the coaches will stick with the Munster pair.

Only really question marks I think there are 3rd choice loose head and the if the 33rd spot is given to another lock (McCarthy) or a back (McCloskey or Larmour)

Sadie gave him a rough time in the scrum. But he probably had about 30kgs on him. Against the Stormers a few weeks ago he held his own against Malherbe. In the loose he's the 2nd best LH in Ireland, behind Porter. I still think there's a fair chance he goes.

Luke skipped the academy right? Went right to the senior team, perhaps to his detriment