SATURDAY WILL MARK the “closing of a chapter”, regardless of whether or not Andy Farrell’s side win, lose or draw against South Africa, Wednesday’s subscriber exclusive Rugby Weekly Extra podcast heard.
“It does feel like this is the closing of a chapter and I think that was always the plan really,” The 42’s Murray Kinsella said.
“Farrell saw this as a tour where they would come and try to win the series with experienced campaigners like O’Mahony still as captain.
“Beyond this tour was always going to be the start of the regeneration. It’s quite clear to me that that does need to happen. Reinvention is probably a strong word but that next development and evolution of the team has to come in November and we can kick on from there.
“The World Cup in 2027 should and probably will come into view beyond this. I don’t think they viewed this tour as part of that, whereas other nations are absolutely looking at 2027 already this summer.
“I don’t think Ireland wanted to do that and they haven’t really done that.”
There are, of course, a variety of reasons why Farrell would not have been keen to approach this two-test series in an overly experimental fashion.
At the top of that list may have been a fear that a largely inexperienced side could have succumbed to heavy defeats against the back-to-back Rugby World Cup winners.
So, what’s the next step for this team?
“I think it’s obvious to everyone, including Andy Farrell, that this is a question that needs to be answered, both in terms of personnel and guys who have been on the fringe taking on even more important roles,” Kinsella said.
“Now, that’s already started to happen, obviously, particularly at out-half.
“Then with Casey getting his chance and Osborne coming into the team, that’s brilliant. But definitely beyond this tour, it’s about kicking that project on, be it playing style, personnel, even maybe a shake-up of coaching staff.”
Kinsella concluded, “I know Goodman is coming in but is there anything else you can add to that side of it?”
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I think there are many quality players who would fit seamlessly into the team but unfortunately there are positions which are shallow in depth. IMO front row and half backs are the major concerns. As it stands I believe only Porter and Furlong are adequate International standard props. So in many ways Farrell’s hands are tied if the provinces are not producing the players. However I am very surprised he ignored the fine form of Loughman who in my opinion was the form prop going into this tour. Hopefully Boyle, P. Mccarthy , Aungier, Wilson and Maguire will come through in the next year or so.
@Tom Reilly: I must be blind because I seem to be the only one talking about Aungier. Big guy, powerful and good technical sceummager, good age. I’m shocked Leinster didn’t go back for him before Slimani
@Eoin H: I agree, letting him and Loughman leave seems bad business now.
@Eoin H: they did. Similar to Jager and O’Toole the IRFU said no
@Eoin H: Aungier signed a new deal at Connacht, he wasn’t interested in coming back unfortunately. Leinster have been done over with THs in recent times.
@Tom Reilly: Loughman was well off where he is now when he left. Aungier opted to leave when Leinster had Salanoa. Then Munster pilfered Salanoa on the sly so unfortunately if that was more transparent, Aungier may well have opted to not leave in the first place.
Farrell taking the Lions to conveniently be away when the bulk of the work in rebuilding the team actually needs to be done is quite smart on his part. Bit of a poisoned chalice for Easterby (or whoever is put in charge)
@teuO6nLS: conversely it also gives him the ability to take as many Irish frontliners as he can and guarantee the youngsters get a good go at it next summer
@teuO6nLS: ah come on, that’s not why he took the Lions job, you do him a great disservice – it’s the pinnacle of his coaching career, unless he leads us to a WC semi or beyond. Shame though that they’re not touring NZ or SA
@teuO6nLS: bit of a poisoned chalice coaching the irish team jesus some ye guys havent a clue
@Square: And to think of the way we sneer the English…
@teuO6nLS: what a load of carp!