Andy Farrell has picked the squad that will face into the opening 2 6 Nations games away on a Thursday evening in Paris, romantic it certainly isn’t but the organisers of one of rugby’s premium competitions seem hell bent on driving what interest there is by the casual supporter into the ground by this mad cap idea of playing the opening game of the Championship on a Thursday.
Rugby does not enjoy the global appeal of other sports and yes while the reasons for the move are simple and that is because of the start of the Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina and they simply wanted to avoid a clash, admirable it may be but does nothing to try and gain the attention of the casual fan which rugby has long failed to do.
Andy Farrell has yet again gone for safety in terms of overall selection with only 2 uncapped players involved Edwin Edogbo of Munster and Nathan Doak of Ulster. Both players deserving of selection but a number of other players will truly wonder what they really need to do to get a look with the Irish coaching team.
Reputation seems to be the key word when selection meetings happen and the experienced head will win the day over the young tyro every time. The only way you’ll get in is if an injury happens and Farrell is forced to look elsewhere.
If Ireland do manage to win in Paris which at this current moment is unlikely then I’ll be the first to put the hand up and pat Andy Farrell on the back. Will we see a repeat of the game in 2023 when Ireland went to Paris and dismantled a fancied French side on that evening. It will take that type of showing to win in 2 week’s time
I will now put on my selector hat and pick a 23 from the squad that Farrell has picked…
15 Jamie Osbourne
14 Tommy O Brien
13 Garry Ringrose
12 Stuart Mc Closkey
11 Robert Baloucoune
10 Harry Byrne
9 Jamison Gibson Park
8 Caelan Doris
7 Nick Timoney
6 Jack Conan
5 Tadgh Beirne
4 Joe Mc Carthy
3 Tadgh Furlong
2 Dan Sheehan
1 Jack Boyle
–
16 Ronan Kelleher
17 Michael Milne
18 Thomas Clarkson
19 Edwin Edogbo
20 Josh Van Der Flier
21 Craig Casey
22 Jack Crowley
23 Hugo Keenan
Here is the 23 I would select to face France on Thursday 5th of February before a home game the following week against Italy….