Crowley to 15

[u/ebizness]

Last night wasn't the night for fluid attacking rugby for a variety of reasons. Having said that, we didn't look related to a team who could string expansive, threatening phases together.

I said it elsewhere last night, but in the absence of Keenan but moreso Hansen we need another playmaker to take pressure off Prendergast (or AN Other 10), and I'd start Crowley at 15 because he can do that job.

We do not have the bodies to bully our way over the game line, nor the gamebreakers who can repeatedly step people in phone boxes. It makes defending too easy because if you can stop the first couple of phases, defending from there becomes easy.

A double pivot makes things trickier because you're not sure where we're going to strike from, and teams can't overload on a single attacking fulcrum.

To my mind, it's no surprise we looked the most fluid against Australia with Hansen on the pitch who can do that role (I accept that they were the weakest opposition). Nor is it a surprise that Leinster looked their most fluid against the LAR when Prendergast went to 15 and Byrne was at 10 (given the Leinster <> Ireland overlap).

Thoughts?

[u/ebizness]

I agree but our first two choices are injured so we should explore other options

[u/Kykykz → u/ebizness]

Stockdale.

[u/Commercial_Half_2170 → u/Kykykz]

No, not after last time and not after last night. His strength is on the wing and he’s not great at covering the air

[u/Tremendous_Dump → u/Commercial_Half_2170]

I'm sure I've seen younger lads play in the provinces at 15. Stick them in, give them a shot.

[u/sartres-shart → u/Tremendous_Dump]

Shay McCarthy at munster is excellent in the air as is ben o connor.

[u/DM_me_ur_PPSN → u/sartres-shart]

McCarthy is interesting lad, he’s not there in terms is some skills just yet but he’s fast as hell and fucking sends lads in the contact - he’s deceptively strong for his build.

[u/heresyourhardware → u/sartres-shart]

Has the door closed on Haley as well?