Stephen Ferris sat down for a chat with Balls, in association with Ladbrokes.com, to discuss the recent announcement of the Irish squad for the upcoming Autumn Internationals.
Ferris was particularly miffed at the inclusion of Ciarán Frawley as third choice outhalf ahead of Munster's Jack Crowley, and shared his strong views on the matter.
Frawley established himself as third choice ten after his impressive showing during Ireland's victory over the Maori All Blacks during the summer (caps were not awarded for this game).
However, after picking up an injury with Leinster, he was unable to tour with the Emerging Ireland squad earlier this month, leaving Jack Crowley as the no. 1 outhalf on the tour, where he shone as Ireland came away with three wins from three.
Ferris was adamant that this should have put Crowley into the senior squad as third choice 10 behind Johnny Sexton and Joey Carbery, and that Frawley's selection made the Emerging Ireland tour appear pointless.
Ferris Shares Strong Views On Ciarán Frawley And Emerging Ireland Tour
"One thing that’s maybe jumped out," Ferris began. "And I’ve literally had a couple of texts about it, is Ciarán Frawley is in the squad but yet he didn’t go on the Emerging Ireland tour.
And Crowley who did go on the Emerging Ireland tour, and played really well on the Emerging Ireland tour isn’t in the squad. Which would suggest that the Emerging Ireland tour is pointless then.
However, it must be noted that an 'A' squad, which includes Crowley, has also been picked, with that team due to take on the Maori All Blacks on November 4 at the RDS.
Players who stand out in this fixture could also put themselves in the frame for selection against Fiji, regardless of whether they were selected in the 'A' squad or the main squad.
Ciarán Frawley Gets The Nod
12 July 2022; Irish rugby , Ciaran Frawley of Ireland during the match between the Maori All Blacks and Ireland at the Sky Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
READ HERE: Stephen Ferris Picks Luke Marshall As A Dark-Horse For Ireland's Autumn Squad
"Because if they’re using the Emerging Ireland tour as a marker of where some of these guys are at," continued Ferris. "And if you go on that tour and you play really well.
Like Baloucoune whose obviously back in the mix for the Autumn Internationals, so yeh that seems a bit bizarre considering Frawley has played very little rugby in the professional game.
"He’s been injured quite a bit. He was on the tour there last summer, went ok in that Maori game of course, but I’d say Crowley he’s still happy enough to keep banging on the door.
"But I think the chat before the Emerging Ireland tour was that it was going to be ‘these are the lads that are next in line,’ that this is a potential shop window for the 2023 Rugby World Cup and then all of a sudden guys play well on it but aren’t included in this Autumn nations series.
"And when you have Fiji right slap bang in the middle of South Africa and Australia, that’s the perfect opportunity to give some of these younger guys game-time.
"That’s probably one of the odder decisions for me but hopefully Frawley can get a bit of game-time because we know he’s a great operator and a really good player but he just hasn’t had a run of consistent games to really show what he’s about."
Many would argue, however, that given the inclusion of Emerging Ireland players in the 'A' squad and main squad - Calvin Nash, Thomas Ahern, Diarmaid Barron, Scott Penny, Roman Salanoa etc - that the Emerging Ireland tour was a success and that it shows that Farrell is open to making changes and bringing in new blood ahead of next year's Rugby World Cup.
SEE ALSO: Six Uncapped Players And A Returning Stockdale In Ireland's Autumn Squad
