[2022 Six Nations] Ireland vs Italy (27/02/22)

[TRF_Olyy]

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Italy rn.

 

[big ginger 8]

JOB and Lowe into the squad.

 

[Jakedood]

JOB and Lowe into the squad.

JOB?

 

[big ginger 8]

JOB?

Jimmy O'Brien. 15/utility back from Leinster.

 

[Jakedood]

Jimmy O'Brien. 15/utility back from Leinster.

Ahh, Michael Lowry's biatch then

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

Jimmy O'Brien. 15/utility back from Leinster.

What would you say his best position is / where do you think Farrell will have him competing?

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I've said it before and I'll say it again... Up Jimmy.

I think he's a better wing than 15 but definitely more in the Hansen/Lowe bracket than what we look for in our right wing so not entirely sure of his purpose in the squad.

 

[big ginger 8]

What would you say his best position is / where do you think Farrell will have him competing?

I prefer him as a 15, he doesn't really have the pace I'd want in a winger but he does fit Farrell's mould for an 11.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

I fear this is the match where Italian pluck gives way to dejection. I'm calling on the Irish to employ some tricolor solidarity. I mean, we might be a bit braggadocio singing about 'Victory being a slave of Rome' (how do players keep a straight face?) before every match, but in a certain light our flags are so similar we are practically brothers. Have mercy!

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

So I think the consensus has been that the team will largely be the same after the defeat in France. It would feel like a wasted opportunity though if nobody else got a chance for game time. So who do we think will get some minutes?

Id like Carbury to get at least 20-30 minutes to build on his confidence. Personally I'd start him but with Sexton returning from injury that seems unlikely.

Lowry I hope will get some form of time on the pitch. I'd imagine one of Lowry/Baloucoune won't be involved.

O'Toole is ruled out of the Italy game due to a hamstring injury. Apparently he would have been playing/involved this game according to Murray Kinsella.

Wouldn't surprise me to see Jimmy at 23.

From MM it doesn't sound like Coombes will get a look in currently.

Aki-Ringrose have been so good to be honest. Henshaw-Hume could work beautifully and it would be interesting to have 2 different partnerships but I don't think that will happen. I can't see Farrell swapping out both centres so one of them will miss out on the 23 (Hume most likely unfortunately, although he was excellent yet again at the weekend).

 

[big ginger 8]

I would expect we'll see Sheehan, Henshaw and Henderson come into the starting team. That's three changes already. I also get the impression there's a good chance we see Baloucoune.

I'd be shocked if there's much more than that. We need to build a good score and coaches always say this middle game is tricky to make changes for because how long it would leave guys without gametime.

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

I get the point about the long time without game time etc but to be honest I'm quite worried about fullback & prop if one of Keenan/Porter/Furlong get injured. If Keenan gets injured I'd be concerned about anyone who replaces him. Lowry is the in form choice but has 0 international experience, Larmour I'm really not confident about. Conway would fill it I guess? But then that leaves the right wing position open for Baloucoune who, again, has next to no international experience.

I wouldn't be too keen on throwing Bealham/O'Toole in the deep end in a crucial RWC game either. I get a home game vs Italy isn't going to be career defining but it's a big enough occasion for those who have little to no experience.

Second Row/Backrow/SH/10/Centre/LW seem to be well covered. 10 on the basis that Carbury did well last week but the 3rd choice is obv a big drop off which has been discussed in length on here.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I get the point about the long time without game time etc but to be honest I'm quite worried about fullback & prop if one of Keenan/Porter/Furlong get injured. If Keenan gets injured I'd be concerned about anyone who replaces him. Lowry is the in form choice but has 0 international experience, Larmour I'm really not confident about. Conway would fill it I guess? But then that leaves the right wing position open for Baloucoune who, again, has next to no international experience.

I wouldn't be too keen on throwing Bealham/O'Toole in the deep end in a crucial RWC game either. I get a home game vs Italy isn't going to be career defining but it's a big enough occasion for those who have little to no experience.

Second Row/Backrow/SH/10/Centre/LW seem to be well covered. 10 on the basis that Carbury did well last week but the 3rd choice is obv a big drop off which has been discussed in length on here.

I've ways said Italy in round three is the worst time to get them, both in terms of actually winning this tournament and for rotation. All we can do is tweak one or two things so as not to disrupt the team too much and leave guys cold with four weeks between games.

I'm not that worried about 15 and props in the same way as I am if Sexton or JGP went, we have guys who are proven at European level and I think it's one of the easier positions to slot into a new team in provided you're already a specialist there. Now the drop off in the props is fairly huge but that's an individual talent issue, you can't turn a guy into Porter or Furlong no matter how much time you give them.

I'd like Lowry, Balacoune and Hume to get chances (not all this weekend) more because they offer something different, and possibly better with the first two, to the current starters rather than needing to plug potential holes.

 

[big ginger 8]

Henderson out due to Covid. Guy can't catch a break this year.

 

[Groundhog]

Sexual Yoni is doing the press conference tomorrow. Man be starting.

 

[big ginger 8]

Looks like Casey will be in the 23.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

My sources, and mine alone, are suggesting a Hansen, Lowe, Lowry back three.

 

[big ginger 8]

My sources, and mine alone, are suggesting a Hansen, Lowe, Lowry back three.

You're a wee rat.

Or a fool.

I'll get back to you tomorrow around lunch time.

 

[Jakedood]

My sources, and mine alone, are suggesting a Hansen, Lowe, Lowry back three.

Had a look at the few photos and noticeable none involved balacoune... But Mikey