Ireland 6Ns 2020

[Pilotman123]

Sexton hasn’t been performing like World Player of the year ever since he won the award, he’ll be 38 by 2023 so he won’t be playing until then and I’ll be surprised if he makes the next Lions, he was a fantastic player (one of the best) but it’s time for him to hang up the boots soon

[Pilotman123]

Not to mention guys already in the squad who will be 30/31 come 2023 like Farrell, Marmion, Henderson, Scannell, Beirne.

We need a fresh young team for 2023 and the younger players we have could turn out to be better than those players

[Dave Cahill]

The reality is that Farrell's priority will be winning Six Nations and Autumn International matches, they're his bread and butter.

With the exception of Hooker, there will be very few changes between the team that lost to NZ and the team that starts the Six Nations.

[Pilotman123]

The reality is that Farrell's priority will be winning Six Nations and Autumn International matches, they're his bread and butter.

With the exception of Hooker, there will be very few changes between the team that lost to NZ and the team that starts the Six Nations.

Very interesting as to who is going to play hooker, who do you think will be starting and who will make the bench?

[OTT]

Very interesting as to who is going to play hooker, who do you think will be starting and who will make the bench?

Sherwin maybe?

Like Barron will be starting in the Senior Cup and he will also have the LC to contend with. He is probably good enough to do sub hooker for the 6 nations without having to train with the Irish team but he has to prioritise his time.

Sherwin is in 4th year so he should be able to bench for Michael's in the Senior Cup and also start for Ireland in the 6 nations without to much fuss.

[Ruckedtobits]

Very interesting as to who is going to play hooker, who do you think will be starting and who will make the bench?

Sherwin maybe?

Like Barron will be starting in the Senior Cup and he will also have the LC to contend with. He is probably good enough to do sub hooker for the 6 nations without having to train with the Irish team but he has to prioritise his time.

Sherwin is in 4th year so he should be able to bench for Michael's in the Senior Cup and also start for Ireland in the 6 nations without to much fuss.

Good suggestion. Right on the money for this thread.

[Pilotman123]

Very interesting as to who is going to play hooker, who do you think will be starting and who will make the bench?

Sherwin maybe?

Like Barron will be starting in the Senior Cup and he will also have the LC to contend with. He is probably good enough to do sub hooker for the 6 nations without having to train with the Irish team but he has to prioritise his time.

Sherwin is in 4th year so he should be able to bench for Michael's in the Senior Cup and also start for Ireland in the 6 nations without to much fuss.

Very good point, he would have so much spare time in 4th year he’ll be able to manage as there are no exams in 4th year. Good call, will be a very invaluable experience for him

[neiliog93]

I think there will be some changes for the Six Nations. Can see at least some of Healy, O'Mahony, Murray, Henshaw, Kearney and Earls being dropped, either to the bench or out of the match-day squad.

[olaf the fat]

The reality is that Farrell's priority will be winning Six Nations and Autumn International matches, they're his bread and butter.

With the exception of Hooker, there will be very few changes between the team that lost to NZ and the team that starts the Six Nations.

Yes, hard focus is on the 6N's already - and probably was to an extent after the loss to Japan.

What'll be interesting is who changes from backup to 1st choice. Farrell does seem to be 'his own man' and not just Joe lite. Might be a fascinating insight into the coaches mindset

[backrower8]

Farrell does seem to be 'his own man' and not just Joe lite

I have a bad feeling that Farrell, known to be an impressive and strong character, either wouldn't or couldn't impress upon Joe, the error of his ways in terms of strategic direction and player selection these past 15 months or so.

I think that Joe lost his way and nobody in the IRFU (Nucifora) or coaching ticket (Farrell) challenged/ reigned him in.

[Ruckedtobits]

The performance and track record of Rassie Erasmus as Head Coach of South Africa should give a clear indication that the four-year RWC cycle is not an obligatory period for the preparation of a top class international side.

Erasmus assembled his first S A national side in June 2018, ironically in Washington DC, against Wales and picked 13 new caps. Less than 18 months later, having played 26 international games with a 65% winning return, his Squad peaked perfectly to win the World Cup final.

Given that June, for a southern hemisphere country, is the equivalent of November for a NH nation, it is evident that a top quality team could be assembled from scratch from November 2021 for competition at the RWC 2023 in France. Thus, should Irish head coach Farrell consider that many of the recent RWC Squad are the best available to him for the forthcoming 6 Nations 2020 or beyond, there is no imperative for him to replace them yet.

There is little doubt that apart from Rory Best, there will be others from this Squad who will be retired, or beyond the zenith of their careers by 2023, but none of them should be jettisoned merely because of that date. Hopefully, by the 6N of 2021, and maybe even the summer Tour of that year, we will see clear evidence of the development of some of the younger Irish players, but, for now, the Head Coach should not panic.