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International Test Matches
[2020 Autumn Nations Cup] Ireland vs Wales (13/11/20)
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<blockquote data-quote="big ginger 8" data-source="post: 1008331" data-attributes="member: 53057"><p>15. Jacob Stockdale</p><p>14. Hugo Keenan</p><p>13. Chris Farrell</p><p>12. Robbie Henshaw</p><p>11. James Lowe</p><p>10. Johnny Sexton (captain)</p><p>9. Jamison Gibson-Park</p><p></p><p>1. Cian Healy</p><p>2. Ronan Kelleher</p><p>3. Andrew Porter</p><p>4. Iain Henderson</p><p>5. James Ryan</p><p>6. Peter O'Mahony</p><p>7. Josh van der Flier</p><p>8. Caelan Doris</p><p></p><p><em>Replacements</em>:</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>16. Dave Heffernan</p><p>17. Ed Byrne</p><p>18. Finlay Bealham</p><p>19. Quinn Roux</p><p>20. Will Connors</p><p>21. Conor Murray</p><p>22. Billy Burns</p><p>23. Keith Earls</p><p></p><p><strong>Referee</strong>: Mathieu Raynal [FFR].</p><p></p><p>Mostly right by Thornley, except for Roux, Connors and Burns on the bench.</p><p></p><p>The team will get a load of criticism and there's a decent amount warranted but there are some positives. Also there are 7 personnel changes, not sure how many more changes could be made without being in a position where we couldn't learn anything.</p><p></p><p>Kelleher getting his first start. He hasn't played for a while so not sure what to expect for this game but in the longrun he brings the dynamism we've been crying out for at hooker.</p><p></p><p>Having Henderson back as well, Beirne was really good against France but in the secondrow he just doesn't bring the same physicality as Henderson can. I agree with LF that I'd really love to see him get a go at 6.</p><p></p><p>JGP at 9 is a good step as well. He's obviously not a long term solution but we need to try something different. There was an article on the 42 which mentioned something I'd been thinking about since the France game and that is that we don't really see Murray snipe anymore. Obviously you don't want your 9 buried at the bottom of the ruck but it's something that can slow down a defence's linespeed, which considering how we've fared against blitz defences would be really useful.</p><p></p><p>Lowe making his debut as well is good to see. He lacks the top end pace but he does offer a completely different dynamic at his best.</p><p></p><p>Those are my main positives.</p><p></p><p>I'm indifferent about Sexton and Stockdale, they're not positives but I don't think they are blatant negatives either. We've a 9 making his first international start and I can't remember if Henshaw and Farrell have much together at all. Again I also don't think the other outhalfs are the standard required. Byrne unfortunately lacks the athleticism, and even though Burns has put in some good performances for Ulster he lacks consistency and seems to struggle under pressure. WIth Stockdale at 15 I think he has the traits to eventually be a top 15 and people keep saying Wales are bad or this is a development competition, so why not use this as an opportunity to keep developing him there? He's had two names there for Ireland and they were not the calamitous experience people are painting. They certainly weren't amazing but overall they were just mixed really.</p><p></p><p>I have a few negatives not sure how fair they are given the players who are unavailable.</p><p></p><p>Healy is a borderline negative, his play is fine but I wouldn't mind giving him the rest that even being a sub provides. I don't think Ed Byrne is a long term option at this level.</p><p></p><p>POM starting is as MM says presumably because of the lineout with a rookie hooker but I think it's pretty unnecessary. The Welsh lineout isn't exactly a standout and I don't think having Beirne at 6 or even Conan would make such a substantial difference that we'd be in trouble. My main reason for seeing it as a negative is the strong rumours that he's off at the end of the year. It just seems a bit pointless. I am quite happy to see Stander get a well deserved rest though.</p><p></p><p>Farrell at 13 is a bit meh as well. He's had some excellent games for Ireland including winning MotM against Wales before. However, he hasn't consistently hit those heights. I'd rather we'd tried someone with a higher skill level or playmaking nous. Interesting that the 42 article expressly says Stander is rested it just says Aki is dropped.</p><p></p><p>On the bench, most of it is a bit meh. Connors and Murray are the only players I'd be ok with starting a game of any import. Maybe Roux even though I think Beirne should be in ahead of him.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="big ginger 8, post: 1008331, member: 53057"] 15. Jacob Stockdale 14. Hugo Keenan 13. Chris Farrell 12. Robbie Henshaw 11. James Lowe 10. Johnny Sexton (captain) 9. Jamison Gibson-Park 1. Cian Healy 2. Ronan Kelleher 3. Andrew Porter 4. Iain Henderson 5. James Ryan 6. Peter O’Mahony 7. Josh van der Flier 8. Caelan Doris [I]Replacements[/I]: 16. Dave Heffernan 17. Ed Byrne 18. Finlay Bealham 19. Quinn Roux 20. Will Connors 21. Conor Murray 22. Billy Burns 23. Keith Earls [B]Referee[/B]: Mathieu Raynal [FFR]. Mostly right by Thornley, except for Roux, Connors and Burns on the bench. The team will get a load of criticism and there's a decent amount warranted but there are some positives. Also there are 7 personnel changes, not sure how many more changes could be made without being in a position where we couldn't learn anything. Kelleher getting his first start. He hasn't played for a while so not sure what to expect for this game but in the longrun he brings the dynamism we've been crying out for at hooker. Having Henderson back as well, Beirne was really good against France but in the secondrow he just doesn't bring the same physicality as Henderson can. I agree with LF that I'd really love to see him get a go at 6. JGP at 9 is a good step as well. He's obviously not a long term solution but we need to try something different. There was an article on the 42 which mentioned something I'd been thinking about since the France game and that is that we don't really see Murray snipe anymore. Obviously you don't want your 9 buried at the bottom of the ruck but it's something that can slow down a defence's linespeed, which considering how we've fared against blitz defences would be really useful. Lowe making his debut as well is good to see. He lacks the top end pace but he does offer a completely different dynamic at his best. Those are my main positives. I'm indifferent about Sexton and Stockdale, they're not positives but I don't think they are blatant negatives either. We've a 9 making his first international start and I can't remember if Henshaw and Farrell have much together at all. Again I also don't think the other outhalfs are the standard required. Byrne unfortunately lacks the athleticism, and even though Burns has put in some good performances for Ulster he lacks consistency and seems to struggle under pressure. WIth Stockdale at 15 I think he has the traits to eventually be a top 15 and people keep saying Wales are bad or this is a development competition, so why not use this as an opportunity to keep developing him there? He's had two names there for Ireland and they were not the calamitous experience people are painting. They certainly weren't amazing but overall they were just mixed really. I have a few negatives not sure how fair they are given the players who are unavailable. Healy is a borderline negative, his play is fine but I wouldn't mind giving him the rest that even being a sub provides. I don't think Ed Byrne is a long term option at this level. POM starting is as MM says presumably because of the lineout with a rookie hooker but I think it's pretty unnecessary. The Welsh lineout isn't exactly a standout and I don't think having Beirne at 6 or even Conan would make such a substantial difference that we'd be in trouble. My main reason for seeing it as a negative is the strong rumours that he's off at the end of the year. It just seems a bit pointless. I am quite happy to see Stander get a well deserved rest though. Farrell at 13 is a bit meh as well. He's had some excellent games for Ireland including winning MotM against Wales before. However, he hasn't consistently hit those heights. I'd rather we'd tried someone with a higher skill level or playmaking nous. Interesting that the 42 article expressly says Stander is rested it just says Aki is dropped. On the bench, most of it is a bit meh. Connors and Murray are the only players I'd be ok with starting a game of any import. Maybe Roux even though I think Beirne should be in ahead of him. [/QUOTE]
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[2020 Autumn Nations Cup] Ireland vs Wales (13/11/20)
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