THE JOY OF 6

Trio of autumn wins leaves Farrell upbeat ahead of Nations

ANDY FARRELL insists Ireland are not ahead of schedule after their November clean sweep as he relishes a Six Nations shot.

The head coach has watched his side win eight games in a row since their loss to France in February.

What he witnessed over the past month in camp and in the victories over Japan, New Zealand and Argentina was a significant growth in the culture he has strived to embed in the squad.

That will give Farrell confidence for what’s ahead, especially with Ireland on the road against France and England in the Six Nations. “I wouldn’t say we’re ahead of schedule,” he said. “We’re just trying to grow, trying to improve where we’re at in terms of performances.

“Like the lads have kept on saying, we don’t win a trophy for the Autumn Nations.

“But hopefully it will stand to us in regards to how we’ve grown together as a group for the next time we meet up and that’s the Six Nations.

“As far as how we’re playing the game, I don’t think that we’re the type of team that’s just beating our chests and going out there and trying to play as physical a game as we possibly can. We’re actually thinking our way pretty smartly through games.”

With France beating the All Blacks on Saturday, England toppling South Africa, Wales edging out Australia and Ireland seeing off Argentina, Farrell feels the positive results for the northern hemisphere nations whets the appetite for February and March.

“It actually does,” he said. “We all know what the Six Nations means to everyone and we adhere to the same thing – you’re only as good as your last game. We’re pretty pleased with how the last month has gone, with regards to growing the group. But we weren’t best pleased with everything we did in the first half against Argentina on Sunday. There was a bit to fix in the first half. There are lessons learned from every single performance.”

Peter O’mahony, whose first start of the series came in that last game against the Pumas, later described it as the most enjoyable Ireland camp of his career.

“It’s great because it’s the culture that you’re trying to bring together,” said Farrell (above) in response.