It's a weird phenomenon, especially when you consider how GAA and soccer are covered here. I listened to a mainstream podcast yesterday where everyone seemed to bristle at the idea that Andy Farrell could possibly have made an error.

It was quite unusual.

I have a feeling AI is being used to do highlights in a lot of these packages

Edogbo isn't a caller.

My point is that, if calling is a specific skill that Ireland are lacking — and I think they are — including a guy who is doing well in that area across a block where the players around him have changed every week might help.

Wider squad. Bring something different.

Jean Kleyn, for example, was not good enough for Andy Farrells Ireland but is good enough for Rassie Erasmus, arguably the best test coach of all time of, arguably, the best test squad we've ever seen.

My point is, this Irish team can't afford to have preconceived notions.

That Leinster lineout has had consistent issues in the last year.

If Leinster players are running broadly the same lineout block to block, you'd have to ask why they're flat out blowing calls, rather than just missing throwing windows

I'm set so

I've had a good think about it and I'm starting to come around to the idea that there are five lights.

Gul Madred is making some compelling points.

A starting pack with five British and Irish Lions, plus a guy who would've been the tour captain if not for injury, could barely win an offensive collision against Japan in 2025.

Our lineout in the first half ran at 57%.

That, for me, is the first, second, third and fourth biggest issue.

I really do think that Ireland's ongoing decline, in the pack primarily, but elsewhere too, is so distressing for the Irish media and the attached flunky pundit classes to think about that they obsess over the #10 shirt so as not to see the black mold growing on the wallpaper.

This isn't really about bravery, for me. It's about taking control of your life. Active control. If anything it's about using fear productively. It's true for November, but every other month of the year too.

Good rotation. Exactly what I wanted to see.

I do have one complaint — well, two actually. First; no Ahern, although looking at the bench, there might be some injury issues not yet announced.

The second is that I think this is a game Sam Prendergast should be starting in.

I'm going to leave it in there because I've posted it in too many places to change now haha