Agreed with all of the above. Doris potentially has a very long stint as captain ahead of him, he'll be 33 at the 2031 World Cup, old for a number 8 but he's got the quality to make ot work or shift to 6 over the course of the next cycle if the dynamism goes, presumably what the plan for CJ Stander was before his surprise retirement.Seems like noone can be disappointed here.
Doris rightfully is captain. This should see POM transition out and I'd say won't be in camp again.
Hopefully Kelleher fit but everyone in squad is deserved and good to see likes of Kindellen, Boyle, Clarkson and McCarthy in for experience as they have all shown good form.
All in all it is a fair squad.
Presuming Conan injured as he only player who isn't in squad who is deserving if fit but presume it is injury.
I think Osborne becomes a serious option at 23. Big strong and can effectively cover centre and 15.Agreed with all of the above. Doris potentially has a very long stint as captain ahead of him, he'll be 33 at the 2031 World Cup, old for a number 8 but he's got the quality to make ot work or shift to 6 over the course of the next cycle if the dynamism goes, presumably what the plan for CJ Stander was before his surprise retirement.
A stab at the NZ 23 presuming all are fit:
Porter, Kelleher, Furlong, Beirne, Big Joe, Baird, VdF, Doris, Fetish, Crowley, Lowe, Aki, Ringrose, Hansen, Keenan
Herring, Healy, Bealham, Ryan, POM, Murray, Frawley, Henshaw
Not too many decisions to be made either. Maybe Henshaw starts, Faz seems to prefer him to Ringrose, but equally Osborne could take the 23 spot ahead of him. Baird and Ryan might swap with Beirne at 6 like in SA.
Frawley can be a great 10. Big thing for him is to consolidate it at Leinster now though. Yes he is being shuffled out but to be an international 10 he needs to be at 10 consistently. I think Leinster aren't too keen to really invest either as they have Prendergast eyed up as the future 10 and Frawley as the swiss knife back.I think Crowley steps up with a firing pack, his form is more indicative of Munster's than the other way around. Frawley hasn't had much time at 10 this year because injuries keep requiring him to shuffle out, he looks better but still the bench guy imo.
On POM, I think he gets the NZ game off the bench where he's always done very well from, and then starts v Fiji as captain for a send off.
Agree on Osborne, would be very harsh to get dropped after SA and Leinster form but the competition in his positions is fierce.
Agreed yeah, I'm trying to at it from Farrell's POV and tendencies above.Frawley can be a great 10. Big thing for him is to consolidate it at Leinster now though. Yes he is being shuffled out but to be an international 10 he needs to be at 10 consistently. I think Leinster aren't too keen to really invest either as they have Prendergast eyed up as the future 10 and Frawley as the swiss knife back.
On Osborne I agree on the competition part but just think if Keenan went down he keeps that standard at 15 high that Frawley doesn't. Not a negative to Frawley as he is a 10/Centre really. Osborne can do centre, 15 and maybe wing to a high level.
The big question will be balance you'd imagine. In all selections it will be what is the right balance.
I wonder though how this AI period goes. Rumours on the inside is after NZ game he will be there but Simon E will be kind of the boss man per session that Faz will observeAgreed yeah, I'm trying to at it from Farrell's POV and tendencies above.