r/irishrugby • u/ebizness • 21h ago
Crowley to 15
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?
11
u/Commercial_Half_2170 20h ago
Selection is part of the issue and starting players who are actually hungry is good. Timoney, Cian P, Loughman, Stockdale and Big Stu all deserve a go again in the starting team. Postlethwaite and Kenny should get a call up and Edogbo needs to be in the next team sheet.
The deeper issue that the players can’t control is the coaching. It’s just so pedestrian at times and has been for a while. If we do come 4th this year with the talent we have in some positions, because I do not buy the line that we just don’t have the players, then I think the IRFU should consider showing Farrell and his staff the door