Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

This place would explode if we picked a squad as unbalanced as that South African one

If only we had the deluded optimism that some of those SA fans have. They could get knocked out in the pool stage and still claim it's some sort of Rassie masterplan...

The best openside in the world already plays at 8.....for NZ 😂

Yep. Beirne was the best lock in world rugby in 2022 and was named in the World Rugby team of the year. He put in the best performance I've ever seen from an Irish lock in the 3rd test v NZ. Ryan has been outstanding and one of the form locks in world rugby so far this year. Henderson isn't at that level and hasn't been in form for about 2 years and it remains to be seen whether he'll get back to his best. I hope he does because he's top class when he's playing well.

He has suffered a series of unfortunate injuries, rather than not “being in form”. On his day and when he is in form, he is right up there with Beirne and Ryan, certainly at that level. We can check in on this again in a few months - fantastic World Cup ahead for him, hopefully a big showing in a winning quarter final and you can apologise then.

Is the view by posters that some on here are hoping Ireland lose a flash back for themselves when Toner was dropped from the 2019 RWC squad

Can someone link to the poster who said they were cheering for South Africa? That sounds hysterical.

I've more or less talked myself into Frawley going, tbh.

Sexton, Crowley and Frawley.

Frawley and JOB combine to cover 10-15.

Then, you have Crowley in camp for Samoa, and the two initial pool fixtures. I see a lot more upside to that, i.e., the younger player who will benefit more from time in camp and international minutes. Byrne is likely a lot closer to his ceiling, but more importantly, wouldn't need a huge amount of time to get into his rhythm if he's called in as an injury replacement.

Didn't notice that myself but a bit worrying if true. Shades of Adam Byrne not having a clue where to position himself, Kearney pointing at his man for him when Munster played Leinster before.

He's plenty young though and I'd back him to improve.

Well that's dumb

Namibia maybe?

I think the only way Frawley goes is if we go 19/14....and that's certainly not out of the question. I do think we need to look at the wider period of time to get an insight into what the coaching team are considering. Guys aren't going to be included off the back of one game. If an outsider is included, it will be because he has been tearing it up in training too at the very least. And then we have a number of guys who the coaching team have shown a real interest in over a sustained period.....and Frawley is very much one of those. He was probably the third choice outhalf (despite not even being capped) less than a year ago.

Frawley has already said himself he has been training at 10, 12, 13 and 15. Interestingly, in his injury curtailed season for Leinster, he still managed to start games in all four of those jerseys so there's an argument that he does genuinely offer a real utility back option which is an attractive option.

If he was to go, that would mean the end of McCloskey, undoubtedly as well as Osborne (who was already unlikely). It would probably leave the final spot as a straight call between JOB, Earls and Stockdale with the former being the obvious frontrunner.

If we go 18/15, there's no need for Frawley. You can take McCloskey (a better 12), JOB (a better full back, as good a 13 and offers a wing option that Frawley doesn't) and Earls/Stockdale (an extra player that gives you dedicated wing cover) which gives you cover right across the backline.

Right now, I'd be leaning towards the 18/15 split with the 18 forwards that you named yourself previously as well as McCloskey, JOB and Stockdale supplementing the nailed down 12 backs.

I would guess that the coaches have a couple of different scenarios built out for the structure of their squad. An injury to one group or another could change the plan to be either 18/15 or 19/14. Similarly, it might change the plan to go with 8 or 9 front row guys.

Just to temper some of the concerns around Conan, here are the actual quotes (and context) from Easterby yesterday:

Ireland say they are not worried the issue will threaten Conan’s involvement in this year’s tournament.

“Genuinely not,” said Easterby. “Jack has, in the past, had troubles with his foot but it’s nothing like it was back in 2019. He was pretty bullish around the injury. From everything that we’re hearing – and we haven’t had full feedback yet – but everything we’re hearing is it’s positive injury as opposed to a really negative one.”

“We’ll find out next week (if he’s available to play England). We’re still waiting on an assessment and we decided it was probably best for him to stay back in Dublin and rehab and then we’ll get a better indication on how he is when we arrive back into camp next week.”