Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

OTBAM just alluded to Kennan being out for remainder of 6 nations, they didnt categorically say it but definitely dropped a big hint.

Didn't realise we were going for 5 in a row against England, they really don't have a Plan B, our defence against them has been really good the last few years

Hugo Keenan trains as Ireland declare clean bill of health for England clash

Rúaidhrí O'Connor

March 05 2024 01:42 PM

Ireland say they have a clean bill of health ahead of their trip to Twickenham this weekend after the entire squad trained at Abbotstown this morning.

Hugo Keenan, Garry Ringrose, Iain Henderson and Oli Jager took a full part in the session.

Keenan, whose left knee was heavily strapped, missed the win over Wales with a knee injury, while Iain Henderson was ruled out with a toe issue.

Jager missed training last week with a knee injury, while Ringrose has yet to feature in the Six Nations after damaging his shoulder in January.

Andy Farrell names his team on Thursday and the players will need to come through a more physically intense session tomorrow, but scrum coach John Fogarty says all four are available and the availability of both world class backs poses a selection conundrum.

Ringrose faces a huge battle to dislodge RobbIe Henshaw in the outside centre slot, but Keenan would likely come in for Ciarán Frawley if declared fit.

The dilemma then extends to the bench, where Ireland have selected a six/two split of forwards and backs to great effect in the recent games.

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Frawley covers more positions than Ringrose or Henshaw, but the midfielders are established operators while combination of James Ryan, Ryan Baird and Jack Conan have been excellent off the bench.

“Garry and Hugo, Hendy all trained today, Oli as well,” Fogarty said.

“It’s such an important day for us to be on the field. A healthy squad training today is important for selection and it was great they were all on the field.

“Hugo trained today. Again ,they are on the road to recovery and training on the field today live was important for them.

“We’ll see how they got through the session. We’ve another session tomorrow, which is the most physical session of the week where we’ll properly test our plan and the players so we’ll see how he gets through tomorrow and then Andy will select his side.”

Fogarty was asked about the intensity level of today’s training session.

“It’s full speed, there’s no huge contact in it, it’s kind of a coaching day,” he said.

“Monday is forming a plan, Tuesday we put it on the field and we’ll see the timings of our launch plays and how our defence work and tomorrow we’ll test that.”

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I wonder do we go with a 5-3 split if Ringrose is fit. I cant see Henshaw,Ringrose or Aki being left out.

I'd be surprised if it's anything other than a 6-2 with Murray and Ringrose as the two. If Keenan is fit then Frawley misses out entirely.

If we go 6-2 I'd say it's more likely to be Murray either Murray and Frawley or Murray and Byrne. Either Frawley or Crowley can cover 10, 12 & 15. Keenan can cover cover wing and Bundee covers 13. In a pinch Nash could go to 13 or JGP on a wing.

Not Ideal but it's as good as it gets with a 6-2

and if frawley isnt there, probably looking at murray or ringrose to cover 10 which wouldnt be ideal

Don't see why Ringrose should walk back in. Henshaw and Frawley have been excellent. Bit it would be very Irish if he does.

Really ?

Weirdly it was almost more interesting when we didn't win virtually every match we played.

That said as a child of the 80s and 90s I say enjoy the good times because you never know what's around the corner.

I'd rather not be a fan boy, leppin up and down yelling " look at us, we beat Wales"

We're only good when it doesn't really matter. Beating the northern hemispheres teams really doesn't matter. Especially when they all are playing poorly.

There are