Match squad announced for Saturday against Fiji. Relatively raw but with the expected further trials of players to deepen squad. O’Brien at 15, Carbery starts, Loughman gets his first cap, O’Toole backing up TH, and Prendergast makes the step up from Ireland ‘A’, as does Jack Crowley as Carbery’s replacement.
*uncapped
15. Jimmy O’Brien (1) 14. Robert Baloucoune (3) 13. Robbie Henshaw (60)
12. Stuart McCloskey (7) 11. Mack Hansen (7) 10. Joey Carbery (36)
9. Jamison Gibson Park (21)
1. Jeremy Loughman * 2. Rob Herring (29) 3. Tadhg Furlong (61) CAPTAIN
4. Kieran Treadwell (9) 5. Tadhg Beirne (34)
6. Caelan Doris (21) 7. Nick Timoney (2) 8. Jack Conan (31)
Replacements
16. Dan Sheehan (11) 17. Cian Healy (119) 18. Tom O’Toole (3) 19. Cian Prendergast*
20. Max Deegan (1) 21. Craig Casey (5) 22. Jack Crowley* 23. Garry Ringrose (45)

Hi Harry. JOB may get a starting spot against Fiji this weekend to give Keenan a bit of a rest, and develop his alternative. Although, Lowry and Stockdale might still be seen in that light. This week’s match will tell us a bit more about the back-ups for the squad with Carbery and Casey needing to show their credentials. Possibility that young Jack Crowley from Munster might get a stint from the bench at 22.

There’s still a lot of faith in young Harry Byrne who’s been unfortunate with injuries. But I think for the RWC Farrell will have no option but to continue with Carbery as Sexton’s replacement. If he is, then he needs more starts – in November and during the 6N.

Bringing Fruitful Faf and Excited Willie on certainly added some oomph and spark for the Boks, but presumably Nienaber and Erasmus want to continue finding other best option replacements, similar to Ireland.

Match against France should be a good ‘un.

Not a bad summary. I could almost hear the diddley-aye music playing in the background to some of the more Bord Failte-style-and-sure-the-craic-was-mighty-pub anecdotes.

I thought the forced-experimental side from Ireland fared pretty well considering the changes that had to be made due to pre- or mid-match injuries – an occurrence that Farrell wants to keep providing for, and this match duly delivered with Aki banned, Henshaw last minute injury, McCloskey early injury forcing re-thinks and planning in midfield.

Jimmy O’Brien stepped up to the mark admirably playing in a position he rarely trains for, particularly on the occasion of his first senior XV cap. His apparent versatility at 15/wing and now in midfield may make him an attractive pick at 23 and getting into the RWC squad.

Elsewhere, the return of Ronan Kelleher to compete with Sheehan for the No 2 jersey will add to the driving of front row standards, and Bealham’s earlier than planned for arrival to replace the injured Furlong went better than might have been expected. Ulster’s Tom O’Toole is continuing to improve in the background, as well the re-emergence of old-timer, Marty Moore.

Sheehan’s athletic ability and strength was superb, particularly his ability to kick out and actually find the ball unsighted whilst being bent backwards by Kolisi in a ruck illegally with an arm around his neck (with due thanks to Mr R Erasmus of Durban, SA for drawing people’s attention to this unpunished offence).

At lock, James Ryan had probably the best match of his last two seasons, competing well in line out and marshalling mauls in particular to Ireland’s advantage. Having Iain Henderson return to at least being on the bench will strengthen their hand.

O’Mahony continues to defy the odds and his detractors in equal measure, but having Jack Conan chomping at the bit on the bench does no harm. Having another specialist open-side to deputise for van der Flier is something Farrell & Co need to work on – with possibly Will Connors coming into the frame.

Conor Murray is a ship-steadier, rather than a course-plotter at this point. Gibson-Park needs another to deputise in his absence – Craig Casey was less than whelming in his match against NZ XV so another young tyro may have to be found; Caolin Blade at Connacht may get his chance yet.

The Sexton replacement conundrum continues with Carbery, Byrne Bros et al, still without match minutes to prove their worth of a starting spot. One assumes that Carbery will get his chance against Fiji this coming weekend, although hopefully he fares better than the last time he played against them.

The experiment with Baloucoune coming in on the wing with Lowe, Stockdale, Earls, Conway sitting off-stage in depth was useful. The main concern for Farrell in the back three is who deputises comfortably for Keenan at 15 should he be injured. Michael Lowry will be hoping to make a point on this.

From Farrell’s point of view overall, he’ll be looking at this match as one they could have lost given the both forced and deliberate changes to the squad but still managed to eke out a win despite the losses and changes to personnel and positions.

His depth chart is improving but still needs some work-ons. Match done, more to do.

Not a bad line-up.
Mine was slightly different.

I think you mean the islands of Great Britain and Ireland if you’re going to include hurling and football.

Same with Ringrose.

Accidents happen.

Great news about Porter not being punished further.

Imagine for a moment that New Zealand had won the 3rd test, and afterwards, Foster said Ireland are a pretty good team, would you accept that analysis?

Or imagine that Farrell said that New Zealand are a pretty good team in response to a loss?

Except for Porter…

I like to get my negatives in early, Geoff… 🙂

It was a good series win for the squad and coaches. But, South Africa and France are the ones to really contend with on the power front as we’ve seen at club or test level in last 12 months.

Sexton – yes. But Carbery, H Byrne, and Frawley need more game time at club and test level.
Both Furlong and Porter have been injured this season. Byrne, O’Toole, Loughman, need more game time and Kilcoyne needs to recover from injury.
Sheehan – expectedly – shone in Kelleher’s absence – Herring, Heffernan, Scannell is sufficient depth.
Ryan and Beirne have Henderson (who was injured), Treadwell, Baird and McCarthy for depth but could do with more game time for the newbies.
vdF, POM and Doris have Conan, Coombes, Timoney, Prendergast chomping at the bit – blessed with back row depth.
Need another midfielder, Hume unlucky to be injured on this tour.
Back 3 – Baloucoune was injured prior to tour, Conway (not selected), Stockdale out injured and Jimmy O’Brien, shows sufficient depth is there. Carbery can shift at 15 if necessary.

That was a better game from Ireland. Useful win to end the season after the poor performances by the provinces.

But a win against a very poor New Zealand side should not paper over the cracks in the overall squad and the parlous depth in a number of positions.

Lot of work to be done yet by Farrell & Co.

We need to get our act together for the final match or we’re going to lose the series regardless of result in second Māori match.

The back three still looks unbalanced and both wingers caught out of position and floundering on a few occasions.
Notwithstanding the red card, we’re still going to be missing key midfield player for the test.

After such a result, can the coaching team get the players up again sufficiently to win a second test?

Still, they could be in New Zealand’s shoes…

117 years!! Ireland only played their first test match in NZ in 1976. ????

Hansen’s mother is from Ireland. I presume you’re referring to the residency qualified starters – Gibson Park and Lowe.

Have to chuckle in response. There is no whinging in the five other nations that compete. The “northern rugby establishment” and many pundits, commentators, and refs all saw the card as justified as set out in the current laws.

“ So let’s give Genge a break shall we and enjoy his performance for what it was – something special where a player combined power, ability and game smarts to do what it took to give his side a chance of victory.”

The eulogies for Genge are fast-fading as the review of the scrums with boring in and stepping around being completely missed by Raynal and his asst officials. Full marks for the cheating but hardly cause for celebration and elevation. Even Nigel Owens felt compelled to write that at least 2 if not 3 penalties should have gone to Ireland. England cannot rely on this as a substitute for proper scrummaging – a fact you can be sure the French will hammer home.

There’s another team in green that you could try watching. They’re in Europe near France.
Connacht Rugby in Western Ireland.
Aussie coach – Andy Friend
Aussie S&C – David Howarth
Aussie captain – Jarrad Butler
Aussie wings – Mack Hansen, John Porch and Ben O’Donnell
Aussie Prop – Finlay Bealham

They play in the United Rugby Championship.

All you’ve heard for weeks…..?. What Irish media were you reading?!! Haven’t read that from anyone worth their salt in rugby media.

McDonald left Ireland when he was 13 so in theory could make his way back there. Question is there a 9 spot available currently? His home province have 3 aged 26, 28, 29. Munster have 4 spots filled. Connacht have Marmion and Blade. Ulster have Cooney, Doak.

If he goes well with the Force, his international options might open up a bit more.

Hey Nic – thanks for article – enjoyable as ever.

Hansen certainly had a great debut and those of us watching him play for Connacht could see he’d get a test opportunity at some point. I was hoping though that Farrell will want to keep developing his depth chart and squad competition going. Baloucoune deserves a chance and has the speed for the French game, but is more suited to the right wing. Lowe is not in the squad and Stockdale is out for the season, and Earls is the only true left wing who is also injured. So does Hansen stay in place, and Conway changed?

Was wondering what you thought of Gibson-Park’s performance – seemed to stutter at times and some wayward passes that a hungry French side would take more advantage of.

Up front, the only possible change might be Henderson to replace Tadgh Beirne to add more grunt but a difficult call given his performance and contribution.

Interesting.

Halftime in Paris – France 18-10 Italy.

Oh go on then FunBus – I’ll nibble. Name your half-decent team. Ireland has 7 moved as adult English-born players:
Treadwell – Lock
Burns – Outhalf
Gallagher – full-back
Addison – full-back
Haley – full-back
Wootton – wing
Arnold – midfield

Kieran Marmion was born in Eng but raised/learned rugby in Wales.

Not sure it’s accurate to say “so little depth in that position”
Back three test players available include:
Keenan, Earls, Stockdale, Lowe, Zebo, Conway, Larmour, Baloucoune, and now Hansen, with Lowry due to be added to the chart.

Hansen is a Category C contract player – €80-100k at Connacht.
He would receive match and bonus fees same as other test players if selected.
His mother and her parents are Irish-born – which entitles him to Irish passport/citizenship since he was born.