The IRISH RUGBY thread

[Tony Baloney]

Ireland team v Italy:
15 Jamie Osborne, 14 Robert Baloucoune, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 James Lowe, 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Craig Casey; 1 Jeremy Loughman, 2 Dan Sheehan, 3 Thomas Clarkson, 4 Joe McCarthy, 5 James Ryan, 6 Cormac Izuchukwu, 7 Caelan Doris (capt.), 8 Jack Conan

Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Tom O'Toole, 18 Tadhg Furlong, 19 Edwin Edogbo, 20 Tadhg Beirne, 21 Nick Timoney, 22 Jamison Gibson-Park, 23 Jack Crowley

A few changes in the Ireland team and panel from the trimming at the hands of the French.

Italy are a decent team and it will be tight enough on Saturday, but not to win will leave Ireland in a bit of a dead season, might mean more new blood which wouldn't be a bad thing long term.

Good to see Farrell firing a few shots. The were criticised for lack of pace and not fronting up physically against France so Baloucoune and Conan are obvious responses to that. Big Edogbo coming off the bench will do no harm either.

[Tony Baloney]

Yes he should, he bigger than most previous flyhalfs for Ireland.at about 6ft 2in, but a basic of rubgy is knowing how to tackle. The fact that its common knowledge he missed so many, means he actually invites more players to run down his channel trying to force breaks.

I think he's closer to 6'4" and he's about 95kg so he's not going to bully many boys off the ball but he should be able to make a tackle.