@chris mcdonnell: perhaps he doesn’t do the things the coaches value. Mack appears all over the place, provides links, and hits gaps off his wing. Only the coaches know 100% why they value him so highly. They can’t even be accused of Leinster bias unless his mum is part of some shadowy Leinster elite????

@chris mcdonnell: can’t read what Eoin said as I’ve muted him for spouting rubbish. In any case, when Hansen hasn’t been available, Nash has been next man in on a hat wing and has more than done his job. Playing ringrose st wing has only been considered as part of strategy in case of injury.

@Michael Corkery: injury during game and having cover

@Michael Corkery: I think Nash offers a good alternative to Hansen or Lowe. Whereas J Osborne is either centre or fullback. His brother would be better on the wings but he’s not there yet. Big fan of Nash (and Daly), Munster play much better when both are on the field.

@Stanley Marsh: Furlong is finished. Has been for few years now.

@TL55: wouldn’t the plan involve Tom O’Toole and Tom Clarkson? Jaeger perhaps? Any other options? Finlay has a couple of years left in him. Furlong himself is only 32, a year away on a farm might do him good

@TL55: The Medical side of things are way more advanced now then back then, plus there’s an argument Leinster have the best medical team in the world in terms of getting players back fit and maintaining their fitness.

@Ray Ridge: Everyone said the same about Murray when he had the serious neck/back injury but he came back to be a very important player for club and country. Expect Furlong to do the same

@adizlack93: Big difference between the 2 positions. Furlong is 32.

@Ray Ridge: There are many examples of props going well into their late 30s. Takes them far longer to develop that size & strength and losing pace isnt a worry. So, once again your argument makes no sense. Back to clown college Ray..

@adizlack93: and there are more examples of props in their 30s who are finished and done for. Unfortunately this is one of them, whether we like it or not.

@Ray Ridge: nothing you say has any credibility, its just negative speculation which is why everyone here takes the p1ss out of you

@adizlack93: and healy was wrote off too. The best thing would be for farrell not to bring him on the lions tour

@chris mcdonnell: I agree but if hes fit and firing by then, he goes I reckon

@jajosullivan@aol.com: That would look like the plan, however I don’t think any of them are really top class. Scott Wilson at Ulster has a higher ceiling imo. If he stays fit and gets enough game time he could be ready by 2027 WC.

@TL55: perhaps a bit early to be writing off 24 year-old, 13 caps at U-20 inc Grand Slam winner Clarkson, already 40+ Leinster caps and 3 Senior caps in his senior career?

I thought Tom O’Toole always played well for Ireland on the tight head. Jaeger might push on as Finlay has.

Didn’t know about Wilson, don’t watch much of Ulster. Good to have another young option who has also come through the U-20 system.

@Ray Ridge: quiet, bozo.

@Patrick Kennedy: Again, don’t worry about that pat. I’ve gone big on the handicap. Scotland with 6 point head start. I’m playing it safer with the handicap due to the absence of Cummings and Tuipuluto.

@Ray Ridge: Wow you’re incredibly full of it Ray. You’ll be telling us you backed Ireland after they win on Sunday. Embarrassing.

@Patrick Kennedy: No, certainly won’t be backing Ireland at those odds. Away from home against a dangerous Scotland. We will lose to Scotland sooner rather than later.

@Ray Ridge: You haven’t backed anyone because you’re full of s h one t, just like all your comments on this. Thankfully you’ll be shown up to be the clown you are by Sunday evening.

@Ray Ridge: How about something nice and simple, Ireland win and you don’t post for the rest of the six nations?
Let’s see if you can earn some respect for once.

@Barry Moran: The selective memory brigade are out in force today.

@Ray Ridge: If Finn is playing like he did against Italy the Scots will be in for a long afternoon, and that’s coming from someone who is a big fan

@J M: True, he needs to reign it in a wee bit.

@Ray Ridge: I remember you saying there was no doubt Ireland would lose to Scotland a few days ago. The closer we get to the game the more you’re hedging your bets it seems. Now you’re saying it’s going to be close

@Petter Sellberg: Yes, with Scotlands best 2nd row and best centre out, it’s a much closer game than I predicted earlier. Hence why I’m on Scotland plus 6. Still think Scotland will edge it.

@Ray Ridge: Hahahahahahahaha so you’re saying if Tuipulutou and Cummings were playing Scotland would beat us easily?! I’ve heard some absolute guff in my time but that’s up there!

@Ray Ridge: what country are you from pal?

@Ray Ridge: ireland have lost 4 times (NZ, SA, Eng, NZ) in nearly three years and in old money thats 4 times in 30 test matches. In that time you’ve been banging on about “changes needed”, an “overall of the squad”, “ireland on a downward trajectory”, and so on and so on, while also predicting ireland lose all these 30 games including (and I remember it well), ireland losing to scotland at the world cup, ( think that finished 32 – 12 or something like that ). Time to move on to another handle or app, nobody takes you serious around here.

@Con Cussed: Conan made a massive impact off the bench. Hope he stays there or takes 6 jersey

@Con Cussed: instead of Henderson? And have no lock cover? I think despite all the giving out, Henderson actually gave a good account of himself?

@TL55: people went mental when I said this about POM last week and that I was glad he wasnt picked, because it meant we were looking forward which is necessary 2.5 years from RWC

@TL55: How do you become a confirmed Munster Man? Is there a ceremony in Thomand Cathedral? ;)

@Paul Ennis: You marry your 2nd cousin

@Patrick Breen: Not sure what value he brought last week. Izzy is the better player/replacement on the bench. He can cover 4-6 too!

@jajosullivan@aol.com: Baird was the only one of those involved. We need to be looking at the others in the test arena not just around the training camp.

@Paul Ennis: Several pints in the bar on multiple occasions while giving at least one rendition of SUAF!?

@Paul Ennis: you’re born in South Africa

@TL55:

Ireland have established 25 yr old Casey, Crowley & Baird, Doris & Sheehan 26, Joe Mc is 23, Kelleher 27.

You can’t make too many changes and still compete at the highest level

The only member of the pack currently reaching the end of the line is PO’M. Baird can regularly play 6.

If any of the others need to play they’ve had caps, played U-20′s & Emerging Ireland been in camps. If you only have to slot one in they’ll manage. It would be different if the established players were injury prone but most are not so they are nearly always available.

This year Eng, Scot & France require established teams. With potentially 3 back-to-back wins in a France & England at home year, it would be a shame to experiment and slip up against Wales and Italy. Their time will come

@TL55: I do think that after this 6N with 3 back-to-back on offer with England and France at home we should go for it and play to win.

After that a break from summer tours to NZ, SA even Aus required, not starting the Autumn Internationals against any of the strongest teams.

The core of the squad is now established, we know exactly what they can do. Bring in the youngsters, pair them with the guys coming to the end of their careers. Give the guys test experience with a direct message to the public (who have a tendency to find fault) that this is about developing players not winning. Then bring the core back up to speed in the run up to the RWC.

Perhaps slightly cheaper tickets?