Andy Farrell drops selection bombshell with Jamie Osborne at fullback | The Left Wing

Jamie Osborne has been handed a shock debut at fullback as Andy Farrell named the Ireland team to face the Springboks.
Ruaidhri O'Connor joins Will Slattery on The Left Wing podcast to discuss the stern test the Naas youngster will face in Pretoria.
Craig Casey starts at scrum-half ahead of Conor Murray while Farrell has opted for a 5/3 bench split with Garry Ringrose wearing the number 23 jersey.

[@redhowell7856]

As a Saffa enjoyed your guys chat. Thanks

[@Mark777h]

Me too bro.

[@kiaoragin]

You guys look really strong. Hoping for a good game and I will be happy. I think we will know a lot more about Ireland after the two games. The Autumn could bring some new faces into the team, especially if things go badly.

[@redhowell7856]

@@kiaoragin There's a confident but nervous tension here.. Ireland are massive for us and nothing is taken for granted amongst my mates. In the pub on Sat - Guinness, Pall Mall Cigs, Jagermeisters and stress! Enjoy the game Mate. It's gonna be awesome and may the best team win!

[@lizzyhanahoe4197]

@@redhowell7856 Slainte ☘🇮🇪

[@TonyLynch-h6m]

Osborne has plenty of experience at 15 at underage inc Ireland U20. Best of luck to him. Farrell hasn’t let us down before

[@kiaoragin]

If Osborne was picked as a reaction to Rassie then that would be a win for Rassie's mind games. This decision was in the works for a while, I'm sure. Never a reaction from Farrell. I think they may have seen issues with JOB at FB in the Bulls game. We will see how it works out. I don't agree with the decision by the IRFU to allow the 15's go play 7's in the Olympics. It will work for France with DuPont because he is such a special player but I don't think Keenan will improve the 7's team like he does. I don't blame Hugo for going, as he loves the 7's game, but Ireland are a much weaker team without him. I think we will do well to be competitive in both games. I would be happy with that but of course I am hoping for more. Hope springs eternal!

[@harshbutfair8993]

I took think we will do well to be competitive, Keenan is a big loss for sure, but on the other hand though they are never really pure friendlies in the game of rugby, especially against a SA team which seems to be fired up on some setting the record straight narrative, let's not forget there's no silverware involved. Andy in general is pretty conservative in his selection, so IMO it's at least a silver lining that some changes are enforced due to absences. I don't get to see that much rugby as I live in Asia, wasn't that bowled over by Osborne in the Champions Cup final, but he seems to be highly rated, so I'm ok with seeing what he can do in the 15 jersey in a very testing environment.

[@robertwood6297]

It's very windy near the coast. If the wind goes inland, the high balls will be swirling around.

[@dieontwerper8083]

Pieter Steph Du Toit's eyes just lit up when he saw this selection. Good luck young man, trust me, you are going to need it!

[@lizzyhanahoe4197]

Good luck right back to you ☘

[@crusa5]

You underestimate Andy Farrell and know nothing about Jamie Osborne

[@jonnywalker5361]

Gibson Park, Kennan, Hansen all out I think is unfortunately too much. I think unfortunately SA will be too strong for us this time.

[@korocam9137]

It all starts up front mate, strong Irish forward pack there.

[@jonnywalker5361]

@@korocam9137 yeah hope I’m proven wrong. Enjoy the game a chara

[@korocam9137]

@@jonnywalker5361 you too man.. it’s on at 2 am in the morning here in NZ. 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@71bootneck]

Don’t make excuses. We had our best players missing the whole RWC. Best forward MARX and back AM. And won cup with 38 yr old flank at hooker. . We have players missing too. Willemse. Moodie. Am. de Jäger. Kitshoff Time to Walk the walk. Should be good game

[@doctor1011]

Going to be classic rugby between these 2 😅

[@Gorilladome4664]

I hope the young lad has a good outing...will be a very tough environment for sure...go boks!

[@user-cz7yw1oz1f]

So a squad player who is a centre and has played full back twice in 2 years is the only viable full back in the country !

[@patrickfarrell5092]

It's called player development.

[@eamonkelly36]

Good pick i love. It time to mix it up he wont let us down who cares if we win or loose get over it lads😮😮

[@RazorMouth]

Munster 9 and 10. Old school 😁

[@darren1989]

If only they turn out to be as good as stringer/ O Gara we'll be more than happy

[@crusa5]

I hope Hugo Keenan is watching the match tomorrow and realises how much he has let Ireland down with his selfish pursuit of a medal at the Olympics. Who sanctioned this move in Leinster & the IRFU ? Who pays his salary while he is at the Olympics ?

[@user-rn9co7jc4t]

U know a country lacks depth when you are hopeful that backup players are going to raise their level for the benefit of the entire team and there is no other names from their club sides that come to mind Ireland want to be no1 but their clearly don’t have the player pool and probably need to import more overseas players

[@TrevorSmith-nm9mm]

Theses are the games to try out different players and rest some alot of Ulster players are not getting in on the action. I'm a dub

[@KewKew-do3kq]

Why do the Irish team release the changes before the team announcement? It ruins the excitement

[@lizzyhanahoe4197]

C’mon Jamie! C’mon Ireland! ☘🇮🇪

[@mickeencrua]

Stockdale had enormous potential as a winger. He was thrown in at 15 for no understandable reason. It's taken him nearly two years to get over that dreadful experience. Has AF not learned anything from that?

[@SMacCuUladh]

Stockdale had a terrible injury that kept him on the bench for a year.

[@Camcolito]

Stockdale is a bit lacking in the brains department.

[@crusa5]

Jamie Osborne is a far more talented player than one trick pony Stockdale I.e most of his tries are lucky intercepts. He offers nothing else. No chance of making the match day squad

[@mickeencrua]

@@crusa5 I was not discussing Stockdales merits or whether he should be in the squad. Stockdale was thrown in at 15 without any preparation. His confidence was shattered as a result of that move. My concern would be that Osborne would suffer a similar fate. BTW, I'm neither Leinster nor Ulster.

[@daysofmkty3029]

His presence

[@jacqloock]

Must be a trap - inviting the kick for pre-planned counter attack. Otherwise, insanity.

[@crusa5]

Jamie Osborne is a very talented player and Andy Farrell is a very shrewd & intelligent coach

[@eoinh3816]

Herring ahead of Kelleher😂😂. Like picking Jack Carty ahead of Richie Mounga

[@acidreign6]

Kelleher is over rated.

[@eoinh3816]

@@acidreign6 Not to anyone who understands the game or supports Ulster. Herring is a Saffa and London Irish reject

[@jonnywalker5361]

Herring is an unbelievable finisher from line out. Had he have been playing against NZ in that last 10 mins of the WC, we would have won.

[@eoinh3816]

@@jonnywalker5361 That is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. There is no such thing as a finisher from lineout when you literally just run it over and touch it down after the maul has done all the work. Kelleher is more powerful, way bigger and a better set piece player. I reckon Ross Byrne is bigger than Herring is

[@jonnywalker5361]

@@eoinh3816 “no such thing as a finisher from lineout”. Think you’ve undermined your own credibility as knowing what you’re talking about there chief.

[@Camcolito]

Very strange selection, hopefully there's a good rationale.

[@SMacCuUladh]

he has a bigger boot than Lowe.

[@daviiidoff]

Back line is lacking some serious pace

[@Camcolito]

Always an issue with Ireland but they have a system that minimizes it.

[@bigg5582]

Keenans allowed to go and play 7s and leave ireland who pays his wages in the lurch....

[@SMacCuUladh]

The IRFU who pay the sevens wages as well.

[@garyoconnor8421]

She better

[@garyoconnor8421]

Ya

[@seancurran7215]

Ireland got their eye on a third 6 nations in a row and this is a chance to try new players in key positions under intense pressure. Not worried if they beat the bokks...Rassie will only come out with some cock n bull rhetoric about how his team are building for the next world cup blah blah blah...and the rugby world will go all hail rassie he is truly a rugby god...

[@lizzyhanahoe4197]

I think you are right about Rassey (that is how i phonetically spell is name) ☘

[@CanUDiggit89]

Osbourne at 15 i think is incredibly reckless and actually irresponsible from Farrell which is very unusual. Jimmy OBrien played good rugby at the end of the season while Frawley played a good bit there this season. Jamie Osbourne is a class player and i wouldnt argue if he was selected at centre but the guy has played twice there for Leinster which was probably a couple of poxy urc matches when the internationals were on duty. Hes 22 and its his first cap against a massive aggressive side which has won the last two world cups.

[@Camcolito]

Yeah it's looking like that without knowing anything further, hopefully will be proved wrong but very un-Farrelllike

[@grahamshaw3802]

Who do you suggest there? Don't say Hayley

[@lizzyhanahoe4197]

It may be taking a risk, although this game may “settle” some questions, it’s not overly important to win. I think let’s give our younger players a shot, let them gain this invaluable experience, we have to start rebuilding, we have to know who can play and take the pressure at these big venues, let’s go for it. ☘

[@CanUDiggit89]

@@grahamshaw3802 Jimmy O Brien. The guys never let himself down in an Ireland jersey at wing, 13 or 15 and is generally pretty good in the air. TBH I'd have any regular fullback over a guy whos played in that position twice as a professional and not recently. Look what happened when we put Henshaw at FB against England and he had played there for a few years at Connacht....

[@fritzraake22]

@@grahamshaw3802 Mike Haley is the obvious stand-in for Keenan but you clearly disagree but can't even spell his name 🙄

[@grahamshaw3802]

Henshaw might be 15 for some of game numbers mean nothing

[@SMacCuUladh]

no chance, it was tried before and was a disaster.

[@bigg5582]

Remind me when schmidt put henshaw at fb v England and got stuffed in 2019

[@michaelflynn5123]

South Africa will take casey apart! No idea why Farrell is putting Casey’s career on the line

[@styxman500]

He's in your head - Rassie Rassie Rassie 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@fergalbannon4614]

Or rassies in your mouth? Such Felatio.

[@lizzyhanahoe4197]

You’re spelling his name wrong! It’s Rassey. Get it right.

[@SMacCuUladh]

What does rassie mean in english?

[@lizzyhanahoe4197]

@@SMacCuUladh Looked it up, nothing to report.

[@SMacCuUladh]

@@lizzyhanahoe4197 dang

[@TonyLynch-h6m]

Osborne has plenty of experience at 15 at underage inc Ireland U20. Best of luck to him. Farrell hasn’t let us down before