I think that's a pretty generous assessment to be honest. I watch him game after game as i was an outhalf and his delivery is way too deep and he clutters space. Thought Toulosue was different to be fair to the lad. I suppose our subjective opinions are what they are, you might think he's objectively at a higher level than Carty but Joe doesn't pick him.wixfjord wrote:How do you define international class? He has objectively performed at a higher level than Carty, who got a good bit of gametime in the 6N. He performed well in the Autumn when coming in early for Ireland too.Flash Gordon wrote:The difference is that Joe has options - albeit more limited with Jackson and Madigan no longer available. Personally I think Byrne is very much work in progress and not close to international class currently. With Sexton off form currently and Joey having moved on, the Leinster out half situation hasn't been this poor in years. Similarly for Ireland Jackson and Madigan no longer available and Carbery pretty injury prone, Ireland's depth isn't great.wixfjord wrote:
I think that's unfair on Byrne. His attacking game has come on in leaps and bounds this year, particularly his running game. He has led us through quite a few big Euro games at this stage too.
Who Joe Schmidt rates and who Leo/Lancaster rates are two different things, and I think we were all surprised at how unlucky Byrne was to not make the squad during the 6N.
While I don't think he'll usurp Johnny, I think you're massively underrating a guy who has done really well this year and has led us through some really big games in Sexton's absence - Wasps away, Toulouse home, Munster in the Aviva (where he comfortably outplayed Joey), Munster in the semi last year, Montpellier away last year, Exeter in the Aviva etc etc. For a 'good Pro14 player' that's not a bad track record is it?
Also to be fair, this is a snapshot in his development of course and he is 23. His kicking game has improve immeasurably from tee and hand but he's not there yet. Obviously we will both hope he improves and becomes a genuinely better player.