Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

But the SA match probably isn't a must win game, (unless Scotland beat SA) while Scotland and all of the knockouts are

Yeah a win against SA takes pressure off the Scotland game and along with the extra week would give the team great chance to rest up anyone with a niggle or whatever.

Am I right in saying though that the only way that we are guaranteed qualification from the pool prior to the Scotland game is if both Scotland and ourselves best SA? The more realistic situation is that SA win that one putting Scotland on 2 wins ahead of our game against them. If we beat SA then they’ll finish on 3 wins while we go into the Scotland game on 3 wins. A Scottish win could potentially knock us out then, BPs and PD depending.

Its highly unlikely that we’ll go into that last game against Scotland with qualification already secured. It’s probably a must win no matter what (unless SA lose to Scotland and us, which won’t happen). At the very least we’ll probably need at least something from that game.

Yes you are correct molloy.

If SA beat Scotland, and we beat SA, then chances are Scotland would have to beat us with an asterix or two on the day.

Arrogant as it sounds, we've had Scotland's number for quite some time now. They perform well when given a little space. They don't get that from this Irish team. They just don't.

So the likelihood of them beating us with bells and whistles at the end of September is an extremely unlikely event.

Edit... We're playing them in October not September if course!

edit: mad!

sorry thought u were saying only bringing 2 SH

Ireland have to go with the 3 SH because of the schedule. Same for OH.

But bringing 4 Hookers, with two of them injured as we speak?

Sheehan is worth the risk (assuming its not a metatarsal) in isolation because he's the best hooker in he world.

Add Kelleher into the mix...Injured yet again and it's a hamstring (again) injury. No.

4 hookers v 4 centres...all things considered I'd leave Sheehan at home.

18/15: 3 Hookers (Herring, Kelleher, Stewart), 4 Locks, 5 BR, 4 Centres, JOB and Earls. 

I'd get Kelleher right for SA and Scotland. Likelihood is one of the 3 hookers is going to breakdown or "feel" a hamstring before QF.

You can't just send a player home. WR require medical reports etc.

Otherwise teams with huge pool of players can manipulate the system.

In 2015, Zebo I think it was had a family bereavement that required WR approval to leave England for a few days.

But you said if "Kelleher is out of form send him home'. Cant do that based on form. Everything will be monitored very closely. Won't be able to use a medical report which would pre-date a RWC appearance.

Below is taken from Indo article in 2015. Zebo needed tournament approval to leave camp after his grandfather died.

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Simon Zebo has left the Ireland squad on "compassionate leave" but is expected to return to camp tomorrow ahead of the World Cup clash with Italy this weekend.

"Simon has been granted compassionate leave by the tournament and returned to Ireland this morning. He is due back with the squad tomorrow," a spokesperson told independent.ie

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Yeah "out of order" would be more appropriate.

I meant if he's back in the current situation, or gets another injury. If not it's better he stays of course.

My point is there's no reason not to take the risk

I think you missed my point. I'd bring Kelleher, Herring and Stewart.

Bringing both Kelleher and Sheahan is too risky as it stands.

And Earls is definitely going. As is JOB. I'm suggesting a 18:15.

No doubt someone will be injured before the 1/4. Then call up Sheehan IF his recovery is going well.

it's a worthy risk

Roumania Kellher plays 60 Herring 20

Kelleher worst case scenario injured himself again 48h before Tonga

Herring play 80

Steward has arrived for Kelleher, plays 20 vs South Africa, Herring 60

than Herring or Stewart 60min vs Scotland, Sheehan re-introduced on the bench

AND the most important Sheehan starts and plays as much as possible in final phases

Ehhhh... Time and again? And your go to example is 13 years ago?

How do you get Sheehan into the squad though?