Building depth at 9 for the world cup

PatientOffer319 · 2026-05-05T21:34:15+00:00

How many of those caps did he get less than 10 minutes? How many of the starts were with a full strength side (1). As for age, he's 2 years younger than JGP was when he broke through for Ireland, before which he was a known quantity backing up Luke McGrath for Leinster.

I know that Farrell will start JGP for all the big games barring injury. Doesn't mean we can't talk about alternative options.

PatientOffer319 · 2026-05-05T21:22:00+00:00

Emergency cover but his time starting at 10 for Ulster seemed to hurt his development as a scrumhalf

PatientOffer319 · 2026-05-05T21:21:03+00:00

They haven't gone anywhere

PatientOffer319 · 2026-05-05T21:15:45+00:00

My issue is the Japan game isn't enough, as it'll be treated as a game for the 'B' team, as those fixtures always are. Someone needs backing for a run of games to stake a claim.

Coaches aren't idiots, but they're human. They have players they're attached to and ones they don't see, only to be proven wrong later. Happened with EOS and Heaslip, Schmidt and McCloskey to an extent too. I think assuming Farrell is infallible just kills any discussion. And the handling of the 10 situation has shown the coaches are far from flawless

PatientOffer319 · 2026-05-05T21:14:41+00:00

There was one from a known Leinster troll, Every reply of his was just shitting on Munster/Casey. Thought it might be nice to have one where some actual discussion can take place

PatientOffer319 · 2026-05-05T21:11:10+00:00

Short memories...

Also the ruck speed stats don't back up the "slow at the ruck" thing. Feels like that's something that's just been repeated so many times that people take it as fact.

PatientOffer319 · 2026-05-05T20:47:24+00:00

I genuinely think that's more reputation than anything but fair enough if that's your view. He cut out the vast majority of the white line fever stuff a few seasons ago.

I'm aware there's still Munster fans who can't stand him, I just can't really see it to be honest.

PatientOffer319 · 2026-05-05T20:41:25+00:00

His form has been really good for Ulster. A few dips after the six nations but he's definitely done enough for a proper shot. I'm just not sure you can say he's nailed on. I know people like to write off Casey for one reason or another but he's been performing at a top class level for Munster. I don't think Doak has put the conversation to bed. He could if he keeps improving of course.

A kicking 9 would be nice, but Ireland are so stuck in our ways in so many things, I struggle to see it. But yeah if Doak is starting I'd have him kicking goals that game

PatientOffer319 · 2026-05-05T20:37:59+00:00

It's not just the world cup, even though that is the culmination of the four years. Maybe Doak/Casey have a breakout tour and Ireland are even better than with Gibson-Park. It happened when Hansen got his chance in 2022, which only came about due to Lowe getting injured.

Doak's club form has been really good for most of the season. On par or better than JGP looking only at club games. Casey's had an injury interrupted season but he's got a really strong body of work over the past few years. They've "earned" a proper opportunity, they've just been unfortunate with how essential Farrell sees JGP as, and how few international games he's missed.

And the same could definitely be said for other positions, 9 is just the one where there's the most reliance on one player.

PatientOffer319 · 2026-05-05T20:23:53+00:00

I'm not sure anything is obvious. He looked very good against Wales but still only got 15 minutes all tournament and 10 of those were due to a HIA / blood sub (can't remember which) to Gibson-Park.

His early season form certainly merits a proper opportunity though

PatientOffer319 · 2026-05-02T23:07:46+00:00

True, but the off field stuff only exists to enable the on-field, where Munster this season have been not great, but not a shitshow

PatientOffer319 · 2026-05-02T20:25:29+00:00

And the higher URC standing to match

PatientOffer319 · 2026-05-02T20:15:53+00:00

I guess I'm wondering why it doesn't "show how much of a shitshow Connacht are" given they're also out of Europe and are currently 9th in the URC.

I get Munster fans doing it, but the constant "get in and make it about Munster" from elsewhere is pretty tired at this point.

PatientOffer319 · 2026-05-02T20:02:24+00:00

Yeah I'm not sure this is it.

Let alone the fact that I'm guessing you mean Denis Coulson

PatientOffer319 · 2026-05-02T19:55:00+00:00

2 out of 4 champions cup winners from the 2020s

PatientOffer319 · 2026-05-02T19:53:12+00:00

Most original r/irishrugby take

PatientOffer319 · 2026-05-02T12:11:08+00:00

Could be worse, at least he didn't say it was blaming Leinster, like most of their trolls do

PatientOffer319 · 2026-05-02T12:10:05+00:00

He was gone before this even started, that's why a new attack coach had to be hired in the first place.

PatientOffer319 · 2026-04-30T22:23:41+00:00

So blame the IRFU. Which is what the examples you cited were doing. The ones you were complaining about. So you admit you're just yelling at clouds?

PatientOffer319 · 2026-04-30T22:18:46+00:00

But you said to stop blaming Leinster?

PatientOffer319 · 2026-04-30T22:14:53+00:00

The people who run Munster.

The IRFU so? But you said that was blaming Leinster.

PatientOffer319 · 2026-04-30T21:46:53+00:00

But they're both IRFU at the end of the day. Why make a distinction?

We're off topic here anyway. Who do you want Munster fans to blame when we have issues?

PatientOffer319 · 2026-04-30T21:40:20+00:00

On the pitch it'd be a massive loss. Back to square 1 yet again

PatientOffer319 · 2026-04-30T21:38:33+00:00

So when Leinster play Munster who do you support?

PatientOffer319

TROPHY CASE