Ryan Miller

Prendergast set to start at 10 for Ireland against the Springboks Josh van der Flier, Garry Ringrose, and Bundee Aki may come into the starting XV.

Sam Prendergast is set to start at 10 for Ireland against the Springboks: the42.ie/6879349

I think Thomas is a genuinely nice playmaker and he and Edwards could go well as a pair - but that only works if they get the right blend of players around them.

If that blend isn't available atm, then Thomas has to go. Although he could wear #22 and provide cover at 10 and change-up option at 12.

On the other hand, Ben Thomas can make things happen...

Beyond that:

- Blair Murray can't play full back because he can't catch high balls. Might work on the wing and/or be a useful #23.
- Josh Adams... not sure there's any juice left in that (formerly delicious) orange. Can BT catch a high ball?

The question of what to do with Ben Thomas is intertwined with this.

One way to get more carrying and quicker rucking into the team would be to pick a centre closer to that profile. Doesn't have to be a breeze block - even Roberts or Hawkins would qualify, and they offer other stuff too.

Seems to me like Wales need quicker and cleaner ruck ball. Whenever there are circumstances to attack that doesn't seem to he where you'd want it to be, stifles everything.

Lots of ways to address that. Some heavy carriers would help, but maybe the options aren't there. More ruck focus in training?

In all sincerity, can I remind Wales fans that you are allowed to enjoy that.

Lots of bad things but also a significant number of good things and, ultimately, a huge amount of heart and a win. Early in the second half I thought you were cooked. Fair play.

The historic connections between Italy and Scotland are widely known and well...

Italy the total opposite, by the way - they have a real opportunity to win this and it has scrambled their minds.

Pointlessly offside for the tap kick, another cheap offside a couple of phases later, and it actually let the Boks in as they kept narrow and attacked the weak folded part of the line.

Yes. I think the rush to crown them the generally best team ever is a bit mad given just how dominant NZ were for over a decade, win rate around 90% and so on - but with backs to the wall I think Rassie's Boks are peerless. Awesome clarity of purpose and effort.

And I say this as someone who wouldn't have Henshaw in an Ireland 23 at the minute. He remains a smart player, a cool head, good positioning and low errors - but he's always been all that, and he used to be so physically imposing. The dynamism is gone and it's reduced him.

I've no concerns about the cover at 15, I like Crowley there and think he is actually an option in general (not sure Faz does).

Bigger problem is if Henshaw gets injured. Don't like Aki defending at 13.

Tom Farrell starts at 13 on his Ireland debut against Japan.

Caelan Doris back in to captain.

Robbie Henshaw, Jacob Stockdale, Craig Casey, Nick Timony, Thomas Clarkson, and Rónan Kelleher all start.

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"What's the first web page archived in the Wayback Machine?"

We get that question all the time. There's no singular first page. There is, however, a first collection, and it's a really important one ⬇️

I'm not sure the panel are saying that MA should have given red on the basis of what he saw. Instead they are saying that, based on the evidence before them, they are satisfied a red card offence occurred. Refs don't use the same evidence or the same evidentiary standard.

Or is your issue with the evidentiary standard used?

Do you honestly think JHW probably didn't do it? That Josh Murphy probably made it all up?

...The panel has to decide if it is more likely that the ball grabbing happened or that it didn't happen. Based on all the evidence that's in the public domain, it seems pretty clear (to me) that they reached the appropriate decision.

You have the video. There is no direct footage of any incident but there is footage of JHW's arm moving in the relevant area and an immediate reaction from JM, plus of course the allegation itself was made immediately to the ref...

What I'm trying to explain to you is that rugby citings use the civil standard not the criminal one. What probably (rather than definitely) happened is, more or less, what the panel determines and then any sanctions are issued if applicable.

Facts are established against an evidentiary standard though, which in this case is balance of probabilities.

...Given you say that you "doubt JM would react like that of he wasn't grabbed" then you yourself are in agreement that JHW probably did it and, therefore, in agreement with the verdict.

That's not what hearsay means. If Josh Murphy gives his version of what happened to him, that's a statement of evidence.

The evidentiary standard in a citing is the civil standard "on the balance of probabilities" not the criminal one...

I actually think rugby now is more like 3 skill positions - 9, 10 and 15 - and 12 physical ones. Kickchase tackling and rucking one on one so important for wingers. However, any such theory is a loose fit at best given how fluid the sport on many levels (plus the more ballers the better anyway).

I'd add midfield into that as well. They are almost as much a part of the gainline and breakdown battles as any forward.

Aki looking creaky, Big Stu off yesterday with a head knock, Henshaw fully cooked... not been this concerned about Ireland in a long time.

It would go against convention, and Farrell's habits, but would make sense.

Some of the older players in this old Ireland squad are looking old. I know all the discussion is about who will play ten (which is maybe 50/50 atm) but both tens are fit for the challenge, it's elsewhere I'm worried about. ABs by 15-20.

It's always tougher but at the same time that's just part of rugby.

I thought Leinster's two big problems were 1) attempts to play muscle ball could never crack the Munster line (defence excellent) and 2) when they opened up the number of unforced mistakes was ridiculous. Lowe made four or five handling errors himself? That killed any continuity.

I think his game is well rounded (apart from the tackling) but it is this specific aspect that AF likes so much. Stressing a defence with passing options and having a playmaker who can choose the right pass is a key part of Fazball.