If Ireland somehow win the first test they need to start Osborne, izzy, jager, prendergast 1 and 2 and what not in the second test as it would be a great way to blud up and coming players.
Both Ireland and Springboks will be missing some key players. But make no mistake this series will be proper test match rugby between two proud nations. And we as fans are blessed to see some awesome hardcore test rugby. Good luck to both and may the best team win. 🥇💪❤️
So Jamison Gibson Park, Mack Hanson, Hugo Keenan, Ian Henderson, Jack Cohen will be MIA. Both the Boks and Ireland with major absentees which is a shame but at least some new faces get blooded. Delighted for Cormac Izuchukwu and boy what a statement putting in Sam Prendergast and dropping the Byrne brothers. Unlike the Boks we naturally struggle more in depth and for me no 9 and no 15 is a huge drop off from JGP and Keenan. Farrell has less than 2 weeks with these lads to pick up the debris...i don't envy him. Praying its not an annililation frankly.
Would have likes to see much more younger Irish players given a chance.next years sixnations will bé good bye to at least 8 players who dont bé going to thé next World coup.i have watched thé u20 for thé last 4 years and there are many interesting players plus forgien players .this team is done Time to build for After thé six nations this old team have there chance for a Grand slam.
What kills me as a Leinster fan is that we ever let Beirne go off to scarlets and dropped him. We are lacking a jackal threat and if he were in Leinster I fear we may have more champions cups to put name . As a Leinster fan I’m enraged at Leo Cullens love affair with the Byrne brothers Farrell had the good sense to drop both and bring prendergast who looks way better than Byrne I know he is a twig at his age but at least he might get some really valuable game time.
He may look like a twig, but is at the age he bounces back up after a big hit, he is natural 10 and carries it to the line, hope Andy gives him good game time
The only reason the Byrnes are still at Leinster & haven't been off load to the Georgian league is because of their daddy 😴 I glad Andy has neither of them on the team. Too much of a liability to have them start a match & end a match. Frawley & Prendergast deserve their spots.
@@odrankeane-teague1601 I'm well aware they are solid players but they're not good enough for Leinster I know their dad was the CEO of cityjet or something like that so Leinster had a Charter plane deal thing in the past.
Some of these injuries/omissions could be a blessing in desguise. Ireland need to start developing more depth at loose head, scrum half and fullback and this tour looks like it'll be a good opportunity to develop that depth, even if it's in defeat 😂
This looks like a seriously good Ireland squad. A few names missing that I was looking forward to seeing in action over here but still, this is a squad not to be taken lightly. Going to be a good series! Wish it was a three game series though. As a staunch Springboks supporter welcome to Ireland and looking forward to some great rugby!
Two teams after long hard seasons 2 games is probably enough. Here hoping for 2 cracking games and if there anything like the last time we played then we are in for something special. Here hoping for an irish win but not confident though.
i think well get our arses handed to us. the leinster fellas are the bulk of tht team, and they look knackered, have gone to quarters of wc in epic games, all the way to the final of the champions cup and to semi of urc. they look spent
@@tjobrien8436 They(Leinster) have about 3 week to rest, the mental aspect is another thing, but they have been to Loftus and will know the conditions and can prepare for it. Andy will be up for it.
Feel like we are jaded.Fell short allot over the last year. Players have played so much rugby. Its was always going to a hard test series but I feel your physical comfort will see you to victory. Park missing is massive for us. Still can’t wait to watch
@@lizzyhanahoe4197 In the 1980s and 90s "Irish Spirit" would get us within a whisker of victory or maybe the odd win. Irish Rugby does not require "spirit" to win rugby matches anymore. I just think it is quite a patronising phrase.
As a Saffa, I am gutted that Gibson-Park is not coming. He is absolute class!! Going to be at the Durban Test, already getting pumped!!! Where are we having beers before the game Tim?? 😀
Hi Tim . Have a safe trip . Farrell did same to JGP when he was second choice in Leinster . Now doing it again for Pendergast and Frawley . Farrell sees more in players than Leinster coaching . Like some of my colleagues said , unfortunately, and it is difficult to say .Byrnes are good players but not leading team in International or semi/final or ERC or URC
People have to realise, the Irish team is not Leinster. There’s a different mind set, game plan and atmosphere. Same players, but very different. I think the Leinster management have got it wrong for at least three years, but Farrell hasn’t. Simple. Losing JGP and Hugo will hurt, but as Andy says all the time. It’s a brilliant challenge for someone else. Go on Ireland 🇮🇪
Tour to NZ proved this but I think it’s the perfect opportunity for Farrell to change things up and expose players to possibly the toughest test in rugby. Win or lose, blooding in new players can only help. Players like omahony provide the team with something greater than the sum of its parts and is the first name on the team sheet in my opinion
@@stuartkelly3106I disagree - NZ scored two tries of individual errors. O’Connell should be questioned but not Farrell. He is a generational coach who we are fortunate to have
Only 7 Munster players, but 5 are likely in the starting 15. I think Hodnett deserved a shot, but otherwise I’m happy with the picks based on what’s available. No JGP/Keenan is rough.
@@DieselBarksvery true, unfortunately. I've been there a number of Craven week tournaments. Some of those fathers seem to have never held a rugby ball yet they are AGGRESSIVE on the sidelines!
Irish supporter. It'll be a fine learner for the team to be without Hugo and Jambo and Cones. It's great that others will get full-force exposure and also for the adaptive. We don't moan, we get on with it. In the past, playing in a Test series as a relative Test "green-horn" has launched many a great career in rugby. Main thing is this, for me: Rugby will win out.
This is going to be a great series, one thing I like about the world rugby nations cup in 2026, is that more teams will have to come and play us in our backyard, the North sides are far too used to us having to travel there and play in their backyard
Surprised they've not taken more Munster players since it's Casey/Crowley at 9 & 10. Omitting Coombes feels criminal. I know there's competion for the back row but Conan isn't available at 8 and there's only 3 dedicated locks. Surely you find space for him? I understand the "team build" argument against Coombes in 2023, but based on the 2024 6N it looked like Ireland wanted to play more possession rugby. I thought they were going to build something Munster-like around Crowley. Either I was wrong or the England loss sent them back to the drawing board. I don't think there's as much of a gap between Casey and JGP as Tim makes out. Casey is electric once his tail is up, and is well able for the high-tempo system-running stuff that JGP excels at.
A reason Ireland don’t make many scrummaging props is how the scrum is reffed under age. The reward for a dominant scrum is far less so teams orientate toward faster more mobile front rowers. It’s only when they’re nearly adults that it suddenly becomes the be all and end all of the position, by which time many who would be great scrummagers have been filtered out
As usual you have it pretty spot on. Can’t see how Ireland can survive loss of JGP and Keenan. Irreplaceable as you say. I’m not expecting miracles but it will be interesting to look at performances. 2-0 to SA I would guess. Make no mistake Rassie wants to put Ireland back in their box. He plays the long game. Incidentally the population of the island of Ireland is 7m but still just a fraction of SA. This leads to Ireland’s main weakness, lack of depth in almost all positions. Byrne was never going to SA, he hasn’t taken his opportunities. It’s a big ask at the end of a long and disappointing season but hopefully some positives will come out of it. Enjoy your trip you lucky egg chaser.
Good video as usual, my big concern is fullback. Keenan is so so so important for us and particularly against SA who love an up and under and play very smart kicking territory. Jimmy O'Brien is a very good replacement but he's only just back from injury, he limped off the last Leinster game. Larmour/Frawley look dodgy under the high ball. Id honestly push Crowley back to 15 and bring Frawley into 10 when making subs
The Rassie influence, everybody releasing team news today. 😂 On a serious note Tim, be safe out there and enjoy the hospitality of my beautiful country. 🇿🇦
😂he's old and finish .he's being played in the ground at Munster. He looked slow and lazy constantly wanting to fight with the opposition..time for him to walk the dog and follow his old old mate Sexton and give it up .😢
How good is this guy like?? Great stuff as always Tim. A few Munster lads left out alright and maybe Cian Prendergast in place of Tom Ahern?(injured) Been following since RWC23 Love the videos 👍
4:43 The whole island of Ireland's population is just over 7 million people apparently. The republic of Ireland is just over 5 million. Keep up the great work with the content Tim thanks!
It would be interesting to look and compare actual numbers of people playing rugby in and post school in each country. England should (could be wrong) have the highest number, and probably deserve the under achiever tag? I know people like to say South Africa has 60 million people, but Rugby is played by a relatively small number of people in the country, with Soccer / football way ahead number wise. I know Ireland have soccer / football as well as Gaelic sports, so it would be nice to see actual numbers. One thing I would say as a South African, having at one stage lived in Ireland for a decade, Rugby certainly has grown more in popularity in Ireland, due to Ireland's recent success. But I always got the impression, like England, it was a bit of a class thing. The "best" schools have rugby, most others don't (soccer & Gaelic). Whereas Rugby is played at many high school's (primary school as well in some provinces) throughout SA, irrespective of class. South Africa's professional rugby pool would be even greater if we had the finances to develop the game nation wide as well as getting talent scouts working throughout the country, not just at the "private boys schools".
At the end of the day, both statistics and evolutionary biology shows that neither total population nor total number of registered players makes your top 23 or even top 100 players any better than any other. If it did it would imply that the evolution of better athletes would be more favoured in certain geographical areas than in others. Maybe one could argue that most southern hemisphere players trace their (long term) roots back to migrants who had to not only travel the earth to get there, but had to work their butts off in tough conditions to carve out a living in far flung lands. That pioneering spirit is arguably the only difference.
Yeah but its still nothing compared to France, England and South Africa. New Zealand with a similar population but rugby is their number one sport whereas rugby is probably 4th in Ireland at least in regards to team sports. Very hard to build depth.
Did a quick search and I saw the following from 2023 on Wikipedia for the total number of registered senior males (So take it with a pinch of salt). There are some very surprising stats. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_rugby_union_playing_countries 1. England - 131399 2. France - 124079 3. Wales - 122408 4. SA - 113174 5. USA - 50211 6. Japan - 48470 7. Aus - 39380 8. NZ - 27726 9. Ireland - 25440 10. Malaysia - 25000
Can’t express my happiness at Ross Byrne being left out as cynical as it may seem. It’s time to move past them as the 10 and put stock into Sam. The only real contender I can see to Crowley for the Irish 10 jersey and the true successor to sexton at Leinster. Hopefully he gets some minutes
To add to this. I think Ireland needs Peter o Mahoney in the squad even if he’s not performing better than Baird. Leinster have had nobody holding the lads accountable on the pitch since sexton left and have looked like they were out at a training day at times during those critical games. I have good faith O’Mahony won’t stand for it.
Surprised John Cooney omitted. In the recent weeks he has been the main wheel in Ulster recovery under Murphy. Also superb place kicker now that Byrne is not included. To box kick possession to the boks as Murray/Casey tend to do will insure defeat.
Peter Omahony is a must, never mind his current form, but his iron like presence on the field is gold. They will miss Gibson Park for sure. Can't wait for the clash of the titans.
Massively overrated. Has been crap for 2 years and offers nothing around the field but stupid smart arse remarks that motivate the opposition. His dealing with referees is abysmal and they don't even give him the time of day anymore.
@@inBODwetrust13 I don't fully agree with your view, and as a springbok supporter I wouldn't mind if you left him out. But in my view characters like him motivate the players around him. Pieter Steph also played a shit game in the semi final against England, but he won us the final against the AB's. Stalwarts like them are gold for the team. Anyway, good luck and I can't wait to see the Irish at Loftus in a couple of weeks.
Well that's supporters for you. I don't think they will be talking up the Irish at all. Loftus is not going to be easy for them at all - they will likely feel very lonely...😂 South Africa selected a "new" team to a large extent - but great quality in there. With the pressure from the World Cup removed I expect a somewhat faster game - but I see Rassie is planning a solid defensive effort. Good defense wins matches more often than not against strong opposition.
I’d like to see Bealham as the replacement loosehead he’s played there before and Farrell started him at loosehead against Georgia a few years ago. And that would mean Jager could come on to the bench as the replacement tighthead
impressed by that review. pretty spot on on the 10 issue with Leinster and the weakness created without keenan and JGP is frightening. the boks will put pressure on both those positions like no other team
I'll say what i said on the two cents rugby channel. Farrell has earned our trust through results but the ongoing Coombes situation is really very very harsh. Seems his Ireland career under this coaching ticket is over
It is interesting that the blend of experience vs new blood into the Irish team is still excellent. Longer term it seems Farrell is doing a Rassie and growing depth in positions akin to Irelands plan of playing for the next World Cup and also would use the Lions Tour as part of this process.
Your team will be fired up. After leinsters loss against the bulls, i think ireland got the "underdog" tag, and that is what you want.. Going to be a close game. Go bokke
Hope it’s still competitive. I don’t think Ireland is performing to the same degree as recent years, and JGP is a huge loss in the ruck and attack. They will target that and they will probably win.
I dunno how but it looks like Cooney has burnt all Ireland bridges, it can't be down to ability as he may be our second best scrum half, Would of even liked to see Doak added to cover 9 and 10 instead of Blade, Also feel that although Frawley has versatility, he may be a jack of all trades but master of none, I agree with starting 15 and hopefully they will be more accustomed to the altitude. I thought it really impacted the Leinster forwards and thought all of their opposite numbers out preformed them. (guess it does matter!). Donal Lenihan said when the lions toured they had 6 weeks to acclimatise and were using oxygen tanks before heading off. he noted also that only Andrew Porter and Joe McCarthy had played there before for Leinster, while for Irish hooker Dan Sheehan, this was his first game in South Africa. Agree that POM will be there to steer the ship and be the calm head but still think SA will be too strong (again)
Mate, if you think the WC atmosphere was something - wait until you experience a drunk Loftus crowd. Dan Biggar recently said on The Rugby Pod he never experienced anything like it before
Boks will be looking to make a point. Ireland is about to get thumped two in a row! Not having Gibson-Park is just too big a blow. And watch Bok props have a field day both tests!
Certainly a huge loss but we need to push past relying on one or two key players and have depth at all positions. Casey I imagine will start and has big boots to fill, but also has a huge opportunity if he takes it
@ItsBellers oh for sure, have huge faith in Casey and I'm a Springbok supporter. But he's been super. I'm off the opinion that Munster have been better than Leinster (this season)
@@xaviermurray7698 I think that’s definitely true. I see people wrongly pointing the finger at nienaber coming in being the problem. I just see the shift to the defensive structure as a symptom of losing sexton and not having another voice in the squad or coaching team except for nienaber to hold them to the standard that Sexton would have had for them. I think the mix of Andy Farrell and O’Mahoney as captain will bring that level back up. Just not sure if it’s to the level they’ll have to be at to get a result
@@ItsBellers I would say Leinster's Players are one to one better than Munster but don't perform as well as a team, because they have no general like Munster have O' Mahony. Not to mention Leinster lost arguably the toughest champions cup final in history by split decisions and lost a much more difficult URC semi final than Munster by a single score.
@@user-is9of I hear you. The man has just been awesome this season. He was the top ball carrier in the URC. Agaisnt the Springboks that can be the difference.
@@wlk2408 Sure, but they're gonna need relentless mits to pickpocket that ball all day long ... the Boks will def. NOT be in gracious mood after the many IRE shellackings recently & I suspect they will recall the derogatory studio commentary following that big IRE defeat pre Rassie. Make no mistake, there's loads of admiration for Irish rugger (& love for IRE generally) but the boys will roll up sleeves.
Enjoy this channel a lot! if my non-Rugby-viewing-girlfriend states "This guy loves rugby" is anything to go by, Tim you're doing well! :) Going to wait after the Loftus game to meet you (will be there too - my son's first live Springbok test match). Don't need to be on the channel....just wanna say 'Howzit!" and shake your hand.
The only reason Ross Byrne is Leinsters starting 10 (& harry is the back up) is because of their dad's position within the Leinster franchise. So leo has to play them. Frawley is a way better 10 than the both of them put together & I'm happy he has this opportunity to give Leo & Leinster management a stiff one.
You need blokes like O’Mahony to front up and let the Boks know you won’t be bullied off the park, and to find out how they keep the turf playable in high and dry conditions. 2 for 1 with groundskeep Pete.
I've been waiting for someone to give Frawley the ball and let him play 10. Ross Byrne is a better 10 at this point, but Frawley is the better athlete and he takes it to the line without fear.
Future planning like it! Will probably loose 2-0 but i dont care about that. We got to learn to play well when theres silver ware on offer.....no one rembers the test games. Got to build for the future. Can't believe coonys not there, maybe farrell sees blaid can play at the speed of jgp!
I happened to have bn in the same flight with JGP, JvdFlier, on Sunday from SA to Abu Dhabi and I saw him (JGP) limping,, is that the reason he won’t be available? I think that guy is the pulse of that Irish team, it’s not good - he dictate the pace at which Ireland comes at you
@@Munstermarty yeah players like him hv set the standard so high, that I am not sure you can replace him atleast before the next World Cup, the same way you hvnt been able to replace Johnny Sexton - no disrespect to jack crowley who I think is doing a fantastic job it’s just that he is being asked to fill JS boots💁🏽
Think there are definitely a few younger lads that can feel hard done by, but they don’t get a change in the provinces! That u20 team that got to a World Cup final has 1 player in this squad .. not enough progression and too much baggage in this squad
None of them have established themselves yet because 12 of the starting 15 from that team were Leinster and it's the same every year so Leinster can't just give them gametime when they have 3 years worth of other academy prospects and thus they don't get enough.
This is a good Irish squad, but the omission of JGP takes a lot of pressure off the Boks. I also think the two match venues are the best for the Boks to beat Ireland. Altitude on the Highveld and the Durban heat ought to unsettle the Irish. Very smart from the Bok management.
The atmosphere will live up to that match. Not sure about the std of rugby. A lot of talented people are not playing. It's going to be interesting to see how this squad measures up to what the boks will field. I am expecting a statement performance from the boks. Can this Ireland team match them? The attack isnt the absolute best on either side. If it comes down to forward play Ireland havevthe better lineout, boks better scrum. Loose play? I think boks edge that but its close. Doris vs Roos, kwagga vs van der flier. Spicy!
Great to see more ulster lads in the squad on merit we don't have the numbers to have an entire provincial team non existent in the national team like the 6 nations ( which was completely understandable on form) hope we get more growth from crowley and it feels weird even saying it as a connacht fan but Osborne or big stew mc cluskey should start at 12 bundi hasn't even been better then forde this season
Tim! You need to come and have a few beers and a braai with us at our brewery in Pretoria when you are here! Please message me, and we'll arrange. Would be great to chat some rugby with you!
Ah balls - Jamie Obsorne I sincerely apologise...completely ghosted the lad!
He’s been sensational. Earned his spot!
Tim Tim Tim the thoughts of all that South African Cross fit whilst dying from the wine you quaffed the previous night is clouding your judgement
If Ireland somehow win the first test they need to start Osborne, izzy, jager, prendergast 1 and 2 and what not in the second test as it would be a great way to blud up and coming players.
@@user-is9of Prendergast would be eaten alive
@paulcostello1807 I agree frawley should start and have prendergast come off the bench, it would only benefit him in the long run.
Both Ireland and Springboks will be missing some key players. But make no mistake this series will be proper test match rugby between two proud nations. And we as fans are blessed to see some awesome hardcore test rugby. Good luck to both and may the best team win. 🥇💪❤️
thank you Andy for making the bold move and getting those Byrne brothers out. They are not Leinster standard let alone National team material.
Have to agree
So Jamison Gibson Park, Mack Hanson, Hugo Keenan, Ian Henderson, Jack Cohen will be MIA. Both the Boks and Ireland with major absentees which is a shame but at least some new faces get blooded. Delighted for Cormac Izuchukwu and boy what a statement putting in Sam Prendergast and dropping the Byrne brothers. Unlike the Boks we naturally struggle more in depth and for me no 9 and no 15 is a huge drop off from JGP and Keenan. Farrell has less than 2 weeks with these lads to pick up the debris...i don't envy him. Praying its not an annililation frankly.
Henderson hasn't been good for Ireland in quite a long time! It's a shame but I think his time is done!
A great servant of Irish rugby, but how Conor is still in the mix is a head scratcher. I agree on Byrne’s omission also. Sam is the future.
Maybe if JGP was fit Blade could have been picked ahead of him and he’d have missed out, but who else would you pick over him?
Because Andy farrell picked him and trusts him , if the pack is under pressure.
I think John Colney could've had a spot instead.
Sam was really good last year when Ireland U20 were runners up in South Africa.
Too old, shouldn't be picked tbh
Enjoy South Africa broo! You will have a fantastic time experiencing our beautiful country and people, and the rugby ;)
Would have likes to see much more younger Irish players given a chance.next years sixnations will bé good bye to at least 8 players who dont bé going to thé next World coup.i have watched thé u20 for thé last 4 years and there are many interesting players plus forgien players .this team is done Time to build for After thé six nations this old team have there chance for a Grand slam.
Tim! What happened?
"Big Stuart McCloskey" was there to be hit outta the park. . .😉
Enormous respect for the Ireland squad. Go Bokke!
What kills me as a Leinster fan is that we ever let Beirne go off to scarlets and dropped him. We are lacking a jackal threat and if he were in Leinster I fear we may have more champions cups to put name . As a Leinster fan I’m enraged at Leo Cullens love affair with the Byrne brothers Farrell had the good sense to drop both and bring prendergast who looks way better than Byrne I know he is a twig at his age but at least he might get some really valuable game time.
He may look like a twig, but is at the age he bounces back up after a big hit, he is natural 10 and carries it to the line, hope Andy gives him good game time
The kid is the real deal. Just needs game time at Leinster. Time for a Byrne to head off to France or wherever
The only reason the Byrnes are still at Leinster & haven't been off load to the Georgian league is because of their daddy 😴 I glad Andy has neither of them on the team. Too much of a liability to have them start a match & end a match. Frawley & Prendergast deserve their spots.
Thaig Beirne is a warrior.
@@odrankeane-teague1601 I'm well aware they are solid players but they're not good enough for Leinster I know their dad was the CEO of cityjet or something like that so Leinster had a Charter plane deal thing in the past.
Some of these injuries/omissions could be a blessing in desguise. Ireland need to start developing more depth at loose head, scrum half and fullback and this tour looks like it'll be a good opportunity to develop that depth, even if it's in defeat 😂
bang on - especially at 9 & 15 - you need some other lads to get some time in those jerseys - solid backup is needed there
This looks like a seriously good Ireland squad. A few names missing that I was looking forward to seeing in action over here but still, this is a squad not to be taken lightly. Going to be a good series! Wish it was a three game series though. As a staunch Springboks supporter welcome to Ireland and looking forward to some great rugby!
Thank you...but meanwhile I will be praying that we don't get hammered in both tests!!
Thanks bud but not liking our chances, who knows.
Agreed. A "tour" needs to be at least 3 games. Anything less should just be referred to as a "visit".
Agree 2 games sucks.
Two teams after long hard seasons 2 games is probably enough. Here hoping for 2 cracking games and if there anything like the last time we played then we are in for something special. Here hoping for an irish win but not confident though.
SA here. Loftus an iconic venue. These games are going to be epic. The Irish have always come here and played with passion.
And managed to win one game. Go Bokke! Send them home empty handed :)
i think well get our arses handed to us. the leinster fellas are the bulk of tht team, and they look knackered, have gone to quarters of wc in epic games, all the way to the final of the champions cup and to semi of urc. they look spent
@@tjobrien8436 They(Leinster) have about 3 week to rest, the mental aspect is another thing, but they have been to Loftus and will know the conditions and can prepare for it. Andy will be up for it.
No competition Bokke will easily win both.
Feel like we are jaded.Fell short allot over the last year. Players have played so much rugby. Its was always going to a hard test series but I feel your physical comfort will see you to victory. Park missing is massive for us. Still can’t wait to watch
Love the Irish spirit definitely gonna be an epic match
The days of "Irish Spirit" are long since assigned to the history books.
@@paulennis2996 explain please.
@@lizzyhanahoe4197 In the 1980s and 90s "Irish Spirit" would get us within a whisker of victory or maybe the odd win. Irish Rugby does not require "spirit" to win rugby matches anymore. I just think it is quite a patronising phrase.
@@paulennis2996 ok, I totally get where you are coming from, thanks.
As a Saffa, I am gutted that Gibson-Park is not coming. He is absolute class!! Going to be at the Durban Test, already getting pumped!!!
Where are we having beers before the game Tim?? 😀
Love Andy Farrell for making the call Leo wouldn't
Ross Byrne's daddy doesn't put money into Ireland, but he does into Leinster. There's your answer.
Tim you forgot to mention Jamie Osbourne!
Poor young fella worked his way into his national squad and doesn't even get a mention on eggchasers. 😂
Ah balls, you're right!
@@EggchasersRugby I wouldn't worry too much about it mate. You're probably one of the most diligent creators in rugby, we'll allow a few slip-ups! 💚
Jamie Heaseslip-ups
Only videos I wait for all day😅
Hi Tim . Have a safe trip . Farrell did same to JGP when he was second choice in Leinster . Now doing it again for Pendergast and Frawley . Farrell sees more in players than Leinster coaching . Like some of my colleagues said , unfortunately, and it is difficult to say .Byrnes are good players but not leading team in International or semi/final or ERC or URC
People have to realise, the Irish team is not Leinster. There’s a different mind set, game plan and atmosphere. Same players, but very different. I think the Leinster management have got it wrong for at least three years, but Farrell hasn’t. Simple.
Losing JGP and Hugo will hurt, but as Andy says all the time. It’s a brilliant challenge for someone else. Go on Ireland 🇮🇪
Farrell got it wrong at the WC
Tour to NZ proved this but I think it’s the perfect opportunity for Farrell to change things up and expose players to possibly the toughest test in rugby. Win or lose, blooding in new players can only help. Players like omahony provide the team with something greater than the sum of its parts and is the first name on the team sheet in my opinion
@@stuartkelly3106I disagree - NZ scored two tries of individual errors. O’Connell should be questioned but not Farrell. He is a generational coach who we are fortunate to have
Only 7 Munster players, but 5 are likely in the starting 15. I think Hodnett deserved a shot, but otherwise I’m happy with the picks based on what’s available. No JGP/Keenan is rough.
South Africa will not be pleased Byrne wasn't selected. Now they'll have to actually mark the number 10 spot!
They will be fine
Delighted to see so many players get a chance, they deserve the opportunity and such a hostile environment will be brilliant experience.
What players? They are all the same pretty much, no?
Sucks that JGP is gonna muss the series, as a connaught fan I'm buzzing to see Bladey get the nod!
Would like to have seen Cormac Foley included somewhere, thinking of future.
I think Craven week is going to be a bit of a culture shock. 😂 The parents of those boys take rugby VERY seriously.
Absolutely, I love watching these young guys play exciting rugby...
Too seriously, often. Seemingly living vicariously.
@@DieselBarksvery true, unfortunately. I've been there a number of Craven week tournaments. Some of those fathers seem to have never held a rugby ball yet they are AGGRESSIVE on the sidelines!
@@Jay-Leigh863 they are/ we are South Africans after all 😂😂😂
Yeah, Loftus Eastern stands ain't got shit on rugby parents getting into it
Playing field level with all the injuries on both sides. This will not distract from the rugby theater 🎉
As a Leinster fan who's blood runs blue Ross Byrne will never lead us to silverware.
Was a proper playoff game against the Bulls in South Africa. Think Bulls defense won it at the end
@@ContendformyFaithBulls deliberately taking Gibson-Park out of the game with a headshot won it for them
munster fan here. sooner ye get rid of leo the better, for leinster and ireland. and get stuart lancaster back asap
@@inBODwetrust13 I don't see it that way, i saw a great game of rugby from both sides
Lancasters loss is becoming evident now I think
Ireland can see what leinster ignore. Byrne brothers out, Frawley and prendergast in.
See you down there Tim. I'll be all green!
You going to love it this side Tim 🎉🎉🎉 Biltong, Braai and lots of rugby 🏉 👏 👍
Irish supporter. It'll be a fine learner for the team to be without Hugo and Jambo and Cones. It's great that others will get full-force exposure and also for the adaptive. We don't moan, we get on with it. In the past, playing in a Test series as a relative Test "green-horn" has launched many a great career in rugby. Main thing is this, for me: Rugby will win out.
It's a real shame that Tom Ahern is injured. I enjoy watching that big tree play 😂
Love the content. Best channel on youtube.
This is going to be a great series, one thing I like about the world rugby nations cup in 2026, is that more teams will have to come and play us in our backyard, the North sides are far too used to us having to travel there and play in their backyard
Surprised they've not taken more Munster players since it's Casey/Crowley at 9 & 10. Omitting Coombes feels criminal. I know there's competion for the back row but Conan isn't available at 8 and there's only 3 dedicated locks. Surely you find space for him?
I understand the "team build" argument against Coombes in 2023, but based on the 2024 6N it looked like Ireland wanted to play more possession rugby. I thought they were going to build something Munster-like around Crowley. Either I was wrong or the England loss sent them back to the drawing board.
I don't think there's as much of a gap between Casey and JGP as Tim makes out. Casey is electric once his tail is up, and is well able for the high-tempo system-running stuff that JGP excels at.
Atm the difference between JGP and Casey is the difference between a Porsche and a Bugatti both fast and flashy but one is world class.
I think the gap is when on back foot.
Jgp can play going backwards
I'd argue that JGP has superior decision making in attack.
A reason Ireland don’t make many scrummaging props is how the scrum is reffed under age. The reward for a dominant scrum is far less so teams orientate toward faster more mobile front rowers.
It’s only when they’re nearly adults that it suddenly becomes the be all and end all of the position, by which time many who would be great scrummagers have been filtered out
I agree and can I add the the coaching system doesn’t encourage the big kids who don’t move as well.
As usual you have it pretty spot on. Can’t see how Ireland can survive loss of JGP and Keenan. Irreplaceable as you say. I’m not expecting miracles but it will be interesting to look at performances. 2-0 to SA I would guess. Make no mistake Rassie wants to put Ireland back in their box. He plays the long game. Incidentally the population of the island of Ireland is 7m but still just a fraction of SA. This leads to Ireland’s main weakness, lack of depth in almost all positions. Byrne was never going to SA, he hasn’t taken his opportunities. It’s a big ask at the end of a long and disappointing season but hopefully some positives will come out of it. Enjoy your trip you lucky egg chaser.
Gaelic football soaks up most of the running physical guys. Soccer comes second.
Rugby a niche sport.
Good video as usual, my big concern is fullback. Keenan is so so so important for us and particularly against SA who love an up and under and play very smart kicking territory. Jimmy O'Brien is a very good replacement but he's only just back from injury, he limped off the last Leinster game. Larmour/Frawley look dodgy under the high ball. Id honestly push Crowley back to 15 and bring Frawley into 10 when making subs
The Rassie influence, everybody releasing team news today. 😂
On a serious note Tim, be safe out there and enjoy the hospitality of my beautiful country. 🇿🇦
SA HAS ONLY 4 MILLION PART NATION THAT PLAY RUGBY. REST OF 60 MILLION NATION PLAYS SOCCER ALBEIT VERY POORLY.
@@valsables5299😂😂You really thought you said something
@@BermudaCircle88 INDEED U FOREIGHNER
@@valsables5299 🤣🤣Wisdom is trying to catch up to you my man but you're too fast
@@valsables5299 A few sprinkles of cricket players as well!
Bon voyage Tim, enjoy the experience. Looking forward to your reporting. 🛫🏉. Safe travels, bring us back a Toblerone 🍫
Giant Toblerone on sale at duty free at the airport in Jhb.
Great, will get Tim on it! 😂
That Irish bench you selected looks amazing!
I’m rooting for Ireland come on boys 🏴 what a tough game can’t wait 👏
Awesome you getting this out so quickly, very excited for your coverage over in SA!
But what about poor Jamie Osborne not making the video. :-)
Envy you having rugby as your job, passion. Wish I was going to SA to watch these Test matches! Great channel, thank you 🙏
From your potential squad, 5,6,7 and 8 will be menacing at the breakdown. O'Mahoney being captain is key, he knows how to win in South Africa.
He is done
😂he's old and finish .he's being played in the ground at Munster. He looked slow and lazy constantly wanting to fight with the opposition..time for him to walk the dog and follow his old old mate Sexton and give it up .😢
How many times did he win in South Africa?
How good is this guy like??
Great stuff as always Tim.
A few Munster lads left out alright and maybe Cian Prendergast in place of Tom Ahern?(injured)
Been following since RWC23
Love the videos 👍
4:43 The whole island of Ireland's population is just over 7 million people apparently. The republic of Ireland is just over 5 million. Keep up the great work with the content Tim thanks!
The Ireland rugby team is picked from the whole of the island of Ireland, population circa. 7 million.
It would be interesting to look and compare actual numbers of people playing rugby in and post school in each country. England should (could be wrong) have the highest number, and probably deserve the under achiever tag? I know people like to say South Africa has 60 million people, but Rugby is played by a relatively small number of people in the country, with Soccer / football way ahead number wise. I know Ireland have soccer / football as well as Gaelic sports, so it would be nice to see actual numbers. One thing I would say as a South African, having at one stage lived in Ireland for a decade, Rugby certainly has grown more in popularity in Ireland, due to Ireland's recent success. But I always got the impression, like England, it was a bit of a class thing. The "best" schools have rugby, most others don't (soccer & Gaelic). Whereas Rugby is played at many high school's (primary school as well in some provinces) throughout SA, irrespective of class. South Africa's professional rugby pool would be even greater if we had the finances to develop the game nation wide as well as getting talent scouts working throughout the country, not just at the "private boys schools".
At the end of the day, both statistics and evolutionary biology shows that neither total population nor total number of registered players makes your top 23 or even top 100 players any better than any other. If it did it would imply that the evolution of better athletes would be more favoured in certain geographical areas than in others. Maybe one could argue that most southern hemisphere players trace their (long term) roots back to migrants who had to not only travel the earth to get there, but had to work their butts off in tough conditions to carve out a living in far flung lands. That pioneering spirit is arguably the only difference.
Yeah but its still nothing compared to France, England and South Africa. New Zealand with a similar population but rugby is their number one sport whereas rugby is probably 4th in Ireland at least in regards to team sports. Very hard to build depth.
Did a quick search and I saw the following from 2023 on Wikipedia for the total number of registered senior males (So take it with a pinch of salt). There are some very surprising stats.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_rugby_union_playing_countries
1. England - 131399
2. France - 124079
3. Wales - 122408
4. SA - 113174
5. USA - 50211
6. Japan - 48470
7. Aus - 39380
8. NZ - 27726
9. Ireland - 25440
10. Malaysia - 25000
Can’t express my happiness at Ross Byrne being left out as cynical as it may seem. It’s time to move past them as the 10 and put stock into Sam. The only real contender I can see to Crowley for the Irish 10 jersey and the true successor to sexton at Leinster. Hopefully he gets some minutes
To add to this. I think Ireland needs Peter o Mahoney in the squad even if he’s not performing better than Baird. Leinster have had nobody holding the lads accountable on the pitch since sexton left and have looked like they were out at a training day at times during those critical games. I have good faith O’Mahony won’t stand for it.
Absolutely O’Mahony is a complete shithouse expert and we know boks are easy to wind up also when he wears Irish jersey he grows 10 feet.
Surprised John Cooney omitted. In the recent weeks he has been the main wheel in Ulster recovery under Murphy. Also superb place kicker now that Byrne is not included. To box kick possession to the boks as Murray/Casey tend to do will insure defeat.
Was thinking the same thing, but he's on a wind down now & may have been asked. Who knows.
Cannot wait for the Irish. The ABs games are also going to be on some rarified nature
We want Ireland at its best, so we can silence the doubters
Yes exactly! Don't want to hear how it would have could have ... winner gets bragging rights
Peter Omahony is a must, never mind his current form, but his iron like presence on the field is gold. They will miss Gibson Park for sure. Can't wait for the clash of the titans.
Gibson Park is a massive loss
Wasnt gold versus glasgow, offered nothing just glowered and raged
Massively overrated. Has been crap for 2 years and offers nothing around the field but stupid smart arse remarks that motivate the opposition. His dealing with referees is abysmal and they don't even give him the time of day anymore.
@@inBODwetrust13 I don't fully agree with your view, and as a springbok supporter I wouldn't mind if you left him out. But in my view characters like him motivate the players around him. Pieter Steph also played a shit game in the semi final against England, but he won us the final against the AB's. Stalwarts like them are gold for the team. Anyway, good luck and I can't wait to see the Irish at Loftus in a couple of weeks.
No need for a 6/2 split when JVF, Dorris, McCarthy, and Beirne have proven time and again they can go eighty.
need my fellow South Africans to keep feet firmly on the ground. I see a lot of swollen heads
I think it's gonna be 2-0 to the boks and I'm Irish.
@@SMacCuUladh I'd rather have this conversation when it's 2 nil😅😅 rn this is all bad omen
SA will win this series. Sadly.
The Boks will win both games, you can take it to the bank. They will not be leaving points on the park with Pollard back.
Well that's supporters for you. I don't think they will be talking up the Irish at all. Loftus is not going to be easy for them at all - they will likely feel very lonely...😂 South Africa selected a "new" team to a large extent - but great quality in there. With the pressure from the World Cup removed I expect a somewhat faster game - but I see Rassie is planning a solid defensive effort. Good defense wins matches more often than not against strong opposition.
Always enjoy your analysis.
I’d like to see Bealham as the replacement loosehead he’s played there before and Farrell started him at loosehead against Georgia a few years ago. And that would mean Jager could come on to the bench as the replacement tighthead
I did read one list where Tom O'Toole was down as loosehead - but I don't know how reliable that is...
impressed by that review. pretty spot on on the 10 issue with Leinster and the weakness created without keenan and JGP is frightening. the boks will put pressure on both those positions like no other team
Dandee Aki and Savea are two of my favorite non springboks players,pure class those two.
I'll say what i said on the two cents rugby channel. Farrell has earned our trust through results but the ongoing Coombes situation is really very very harsh. Seems his Ireland career under this coaching ticket is over
Why does he have a problem with coombes
It is interesting that the blend of experience vs new blood into the Irish team is still excellent. Longer term it seems Farrell is doing a Rassie and growing depth in positions akin to Irelands plan of playing for the next World Cup and also would use the Lions Tour as part of this process.
Earned a subscriber from SA.
Looking forward to having you here. Massive couple of weeks enjoy, dress warm for the evening.
Ireland are better mentally then leinster 😢 Andy gets them up .
Your team will be fired up. After leinsters loss against the bulls, i think ireland got the "underdog" tag, and that is what you want.. Going to be a close game. Go bokke
I'd love to see Baird and Sheehan on the wings against a team like Tonga or the US, just to see it.
Great show🎉
Top class Tim
Big loss not having the permanent no 15 Keenan and No 9 Gibson park and no Jack Conan?
Its going very difficult Tim. 🇮🇪
As an Ireland fan i'm a little concerned that we might be about to get mullered by this Boks team. HK and JGP are a huge loss.
Goodluck Ireland
Somebody please ask @Squidgerugby to do a build up to this test series!!!😢
Would be great , but think Rassie has him working with SA.
Is it???As a video analyst or in a marketing capacity?
Gibson being excluded is really gonna hurt the Irish against the Boks.
He was brilliant in the World Cup group match.
What does Coombes have to do to get a look in?? 🤔🤷♀️
Hope it’s still competitive. I don’t think Ireland is performing to the same degree as recent years, and JGP is a huge loss in the ruck and attack. They will target that and they will probably win.
I dunno how but it looks like Cooney has burnt all Ireland bridges, it can't be down to ability as he may be our second best scrum half, Would of even liked to see Doak added to cover 9 and 10 instead of Blade, Also feel that although Frawley has versatility, he may be a jack of all trades but master of none, I agree with starting 15 and hopefully they will be more accustomed to the altitude. I thought it really impacted the Leinster forwards and thought all of their opposite numbers out preformed them. (guess it does matter!). Donal Lenihan said when the lions toured they had 6 weeks to acclimatise and were using oxygen tanks before heading off. he noted also that only Andrew Porter and Joe McCarthy had played there before for Leinster, while for Irish hooker Dan Sheehan, this was his first game in South Africa. Agree that POM will be there to steer the ship and be the calm head but still think SA will be too strong (again)
I'd have Nick Tomoney start in front of JVDF at the moment against the boks, he brings go forward ball constantly.
I'd have Nick Tomoney start in front of JVDF at the moment against the boks, he brings go forward ball constantly.
So like Timoney, so good. Have JVDF off the bench as huge energy and nightmare at the end of the game. Good call
Spot on 👌
Wow so excited to host Ireland in SA👌👍…gonna be a helluva Test series👏🙌🇿🇦
Tim, not that great a surprise re Ross Byrne. It has been coming for some time now, speaking as a long time Leinster fan.
Mate, if you think the WC atmosphere was something - wait until you experience a drunk Loftus crowd. Dan Biggar recently said on The Rugby Pod he never experienced anything like it before
Great channel. Jamie Osborne made it too!
Hey Tim, love the videos. I think your volume levelling is off a bit, quite a few videos are very quiet. CHeers
Boks will be looking to make a point. Ireland is about to get thumped two in a row! Not having Gibson-Park is just too big a blow. And watch Bok props have a field day both tests!
Conan, JGP that's huge for Ireland.
Certainly a huge loss but we need to push past relying on one or two key players and have depth at all positions. Casey I imagine will start and has big boots to fill, but also has a huge opportunity if he takes it
@ItsBellers oh for sure, have huge faith in Casey and I'm a Springbok supporter. But he's been super. I'm off the opinion that Munster have been better than Leinster (this season)
@@xaviermurray7698 I think that’s definitely true. I see people wrongly pointing the finger at nienaber coming in being the problem. I just see the shift to the defensive structure as a symptom of losing sexton and not having another voice in the squad or coaching team except for nienaber to hold them to the standard that Sexton would have had for them. I think the mix of Andy Farrell and O’Mahoney as captain will bring that level back up. Just not sure if it’s to the level they’ll have to be at to get a result
@@ItsBellers I would say Leinster's Players are one to one better than Munster but don't perform as well as a team, because they have no general like Munster have O' Mahony. Not to mention Leinster lost arguably the toughest champions cup final in history by split decisions and lost a much more difficult URC semi final than Munster by a single score.
@@ItsBellersbefore neinaber the coaches engaged smoothly.
Gavin Coombes not going? That is total insanity. Coombes has been awesome. Is Farrel trying to throw the series?
He has no need of him he needs a jackal threat that’s why he is probably wants Cian prendergast on tour to test him.
Coombes lacks the mobility to get around the park at the speed Farrel want's I'd say
@@user-is9of I hear you. The man has just been awesome this season. He was the top ball carrier in the URC. Agaisnt the Springboks that can be the difference.
@@wlk2408 Sure, but they're gonna need relentless mits to pickpocket that ball all day long ... the Boks will def. NOT be in gracious mood after the many IRE shellackings recently & I suspect they will recall the derogatory studio commentary following that big IRE defeat pre Rassie. Make no mistake, there's loads of admiration for Irish rugger (& love for IRE generally) but the boys will roll up sleeves.
Enjoy this channel a lot! if my non-Rugby-viewing-girlfriend states "This guy loves rugby" is anything to go by, Tim you're doing well! :)
Going to wait after the Loftus game to meet you (will be there too - my son's first live Springbok test match). Don't need to be on the channel....just wanna say 'Howzit!" and shake your hand.
How Connor Murray is still in the squad is beyond me
Who tf have we to replace him? Nathan Doak is about 3 years away from being ready for a Bok tour.
The only reason Ross Byrne is Leinsters starting 10 (& harry is the back up) is because of their dad's position within the Leinster franchise. So leo has to play them.
Frawley is a way better 10 than the both of them put together & I'm happy he has this opportunity to give Leo & Leinster management a stiff one.
You need blokes like O’Mahony to front up and let the Boks know you won’t be bullied off the park, and to find out how they keep the turf playable in high and dry conditions. 2 for 1 with groundskeep Pete.
I've been waiting for someone to give Frawley the ball and let him play 10. Ross Byrne is a better 10 at this point, but Frawley is the better athlete and he takes it to the line without fear.
Future planning like it! Will probably loose 2-0 but i dont care about that. We got to learn to play well when theres silver ware on offer.....no one rembers the test games. Got to build for the future.
Can't believe coonys not there, maybe farrell sees blaid can play at the speed of jgp!
I happened to have bn in the same flight with JGP, JvdFlier, on Sunday from SA to Abu Dhabi and I saw him (JGP) limping,, is that the reason he won’t be available? I think that guy is the pulse of that Irish team, it’s not good - he dictate the pace at which Ireland comes at you
Yes hamstring injury and yes both JGP and Keenan too are frankly irreplacable in their positions for ireland
He is a major loss, but we need to start developing good cover.what would happen if he a long term injury at a crucial time
@@Munstermarty yeah players like him hv set the standard so high, that I am not sure you can replace him atleast before the next World Cup, the same way you hvnt been able to replace Johnny Sexton - no disrespect to jack crowley who I think is doing a fantastic job it’s just that he is being asked to fill JS boots💁🏽
Think there are definitely a few younger lads that can feel hard done by, but they don’t get a change in the provinces! That u20 team that got to a World Cup final has 1 player in this squad .. not enough progression and too much baggage in this squad
None of them have established themselves yet because 12 of the starting 15 from that team were Leinster and it's the same every year so Leinster can't just give them gametime when they have 3 years worth of other academy prospects and thus they don't get enough.
Expect u20 guys to turn up when they are 22
@@knoll98125 of the u20s for France that demolished Ireland in that final start every week in the top14..why aren’t they like that here?
This is a good Irish squad, but the omission of JGP takes a lot of pressure off the Boks. I also think the two match venues are the best for the Boks to beat Ireland. Altitude on the Highveld and the Durban heat ought to unsettle the Irish. Very smart from the Bok management.
Delighted Ross Byrne not going
Jeez, sadly I think Ireland are going to get absolutely hammered.
Well after the underwhelming performance against Wales and the loss to Glasgow im not too sure about that.
Jamison Gibson Park is class in any Jersey. Sad he's out. From a safa point of view
Little error to point out...Ireland is a 32 county team of 7 million, unlike the football team
The atmosphere will live up to that match. Not sure about the std of rugby. A lot of talented people are not playing. It's going to be interesting to see how this squad measures up to what the boks will field. I am expecting a statement performance from the boks. Can this Ireland team match them? The attack isnt the absolute best on either side. If it comes down to forward play Ireland havevthe better lineout, boks better scrum. Loose play? I think boks edge that but its close. Doris vs Roos, kwagga vs van der flier. Spicy!
Welcome! Hope you have a wonderful time here. 😅😊
Caolin Blade's game is the nearest replacement for JGP
Great to see more ulster lads in the squad on merit we don't have the numbers to have an entire provincial team non existent in the national team like the 6 nations ( which was completely understandable on form) hope we get more growth from crowley and it feels weird even saying it as a connacht fan but Osborne or big stew mc cluskey should start at 12 bundi hasn't even been better then forde this season
Tim! You need to come and have a few beers and a braai with us at our brewery in Pretoria when you are here! Please message me, and we'll arrange. Would be great to chat some rugby with you!