Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

They'll eventually be right. Time waits for no man.

Yeah the only one I could definitely remember was the 1st test vs NZ in 2022. What about the 6N match vs France in 2022? Didn't the French get a big lead and Ireland came back late to close the gap but never threatened? I think the RWC QF showed that this team struggles chasing a game.

Anyway, good win today but they should have put Wales to the sword. For all the possession and territory dominance in the 1st half, Ireland should have had a 25 to 30 point lead at halftime.

"Andy, Warran Gatland has said that the 31-7 scoreline wasn't very reflective of the 80 minutes, what do you think?"

"Probably should have been 44-7, shouldn't it?"

Faz isn't a man for mind games, but his immediately mobilized surface-to-air bullsh*t defense system is criminally under-rated.

Yes it's a bit of conundrum, POM been made captain now so has to start but Baird is having a huge impact at 6 it's hard to not start him there. Great problem to have mind you.............

Presume the logic is give POM 45-50 mins and then unleash Baird for 30 mins plus high tempo lunacy !! In a straight 1v1 selection it's a no brainer now for me Baird v POM - Baird wins but presume the above is Farrell's logic.

Every game though it gets trickier as Baird is really excelling.

The sight of Baird rampaging up the field is a thing of beauty!

Baird has worked a lot on his game to get to where he is. He's always been a freakish athlete, but it's his improvements in defence and at the lineout that might see him become POM's long term successor. He's getting better and better at the dirty side of the game.

Anyone watching France vs Italy? This is one of the most physically dominant displays I've ever seen. France are bullying Italy, but it's only 10-3 at half time. There's was a stat after 25 minutes that said France had 100% territory for the prior 10 minutes. Italy have defended brilliantly on their own line, but France look so poor in attack.

They look like they don't know how and when to use their backs. They're either going wide too early or too late. So many knock on or passes out to the wings against an Italy defence that was stretched but renumbered by the time the ball went wide.

Great to see (hear) a decent atmosphere at the game too. Looks like people who are actually interested in rugby get tickets in France.

Despite the obvious regrets which we'll probably never get over, are people starting to ask, Johnny who?

I think it's clear a huge error was made in the World Cup semi final by leaving Sexton on. We don't seem to be missing him too much anyway.

Definetly was still a class player though

Ireland could win the six nations by beating England with a try bonus point.

The great thing is, if they achieve that, there still will be a huge motivation for the final round; possibility of a grand slam, possibility of maximum points, new record for longest winning streak in 6N, first back to back 6N grand slam, winning a grand slam in Ireland, winning a grand slam on the more difficult year with both England and France away, Triple crown, beating Scotland again possibly a record streak. Are there any other motivations?