Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

I reckon 30 spots are banked

Porter, Healy, Kilcoyne, Furlong, Bealham, O'Toole

Sheehan, Kelleher, Herring

Ryan, Henderson, Beirne

O'Mahony, Baird, Van Der Flier, Doris, Conan

Gibson Park, Casey, Murray

Sexton, Crowley, Byrne

Henshaw, Ringrose, Aki

Lowe, Hansen, Keenan, O'Brien

In my opinion that leaves a second row spot, a back row and an outside back.

McCarthy took a huge step forward last night, Treadwell will presumably get his right of reply, but I make McCarthy favourite for the second row spot.

Coombes should probably get the final back row spot, but I'm a big fan of Prendergast's and he showed some nice touches last night. I suppose Baird is 100% either, but he has a decent bit of experience now and his versatility should stand to him.

The final back spot is anyone's guess. I think it's a bit early for Nash and Osborne, so it's probably between McCloskey, Frawley, Earls and Stockdale. I've always thought McCloskey's lack of versatility would cost him, Frawley brings just that, but then Crowley and O'Brien already have it. Earls would bring good experience and is the sort of guy you want around the squad, but does he bring enough on the pitch these days. Stockdale made a high profile mistake last night, but that aside went well and is an out and out winger which we don't have after Lowe and Hansen. I think it's between Earls and Stockdale and I honestly can't call it.

I hope this doesn't come back to bite us in the butt.

Im sure SMcC 4 will travel. Farrell likes a centre at 23. I’m equally sure Stockdale isn’t going as long as Lowe and JOB are in the squad.

18 forwards and 15 backs

3 OHs, 4 Centres, 4 Back-three are all guaranteed slots = 11 players

2 or 3 SH TBC

That’s 13 definite slots. Plus the assumption of a third SH = 14 players

with Earls the likely 15 player

Decision if they want Frawley versatility v 3rd SH.

I think 3rd SH makes more sense considering Murray’s age and the tough run of games starting v Tonga.

I think you need 3 scrum halves. Need 3 players in all specialist positions. Just in case someone fails a HIA they could miss 2 games.

3 in each front row position.

3 Scrum halves

3 out halves.

That's 15 spots gone.

4 second rows. 5 back rows. 1 hybrid. (Baird)

4 centres and 4 back three. 1 utility. ( (Frawley)

Getting a hundredth cap off the bench is the ultimate sign of disrespect. It's a cap you give to someone you hate and you think could never play rugby.

It's your attempt to wipe a player out of the history books as they didn't start in their 100th cap.

At least that's what rog said in an off the ball interview. He also admitted that he only understood the insult when he coached in New Zealand for a year and the new zealand guys explained it to him.

I'd say 100th cap off the bench is an insult most players would be happy with

He’s a completely different type of player offensively there (he was involved more than JOB as a playmaker) so it would be interesting. Do we think he’s good enough defensively there?

The 100 cap thing is odd, while I’d agree if it’s like now for Earls make him captain and start, however if it pops up mid 6N or World Cup just pick them where they would have been picked regardless.

In what way?

Edit: just realised you miscounted so either 32 or 34 depending if you meant the hybrid and utility as extra or as included.

I’ll post my own 33 instead.

In what way could it?

He’s been moved in there before during matches so he does actually, though by that point it would have taken a lot of specific circumstances for it to fall that way.

And I see your true colours shining through… La La La