How Farrell has taken Ireland to next level
Squad depth and an exciting game plan underline No1 world ranking
THE first two rounds of the Six Nations couldn’t have gone much better from an Irish perspective with hopes of Grand Slam success now a firm possibility.
A comfortable thrashing of Warren Gatland’s Wales — the first Six Nations win in Cardiff for a decade — and a long-awaited win over France have cast a positive light on Irish rugby.
The hype around this Ireland team grows by the day, but there are genuine reasons to be excited...
THE RANKINGS DO NOT LIE
Yes, the world rugby rankings have painted this picture since the winter but now this reality — for now at least — is true.
To be the best, you have to beat the best and Ireland ended the misery of three consecutive defeats to Fabien Galthie’s Grand Slam champions last weekend.
In doing so, they established their supremacy over a team which had been on a near two-year unbeaten streak in Test rugby.
Victory against a side which had been Ireland’s bogey team is very much the icing on the cake in terms of beating the world’s best in this World Cup cycle.
A Test series victory away in New Zealand and the subsequent defeats of world champions South Africa and Australia have underlined this Irish supremacy.
Ireland will hope that supremacy results in Six Nations silverware at the very least.
ROSS IS THE BOSS
Johnny Sexton — one of the greatest players to wear the Irish jersey — is untouchable in terms of selection, such is the quality of his play, but the debate about who is behind him in the No10 pecking order has, it would appear, been put to bed.
Ross Byrne looks the man to fill-in for the Ireland captain for the Six Nations and into the World Cup — something he has done so well at Leinster.
In truth, it probably should not have come so far into this World Cup journey, Byrne’s credentials as an adequate back-up have been abundantly clear in the eyes of many for some time.
It also should not have been the case that his chance to force his way into the reckoning came due to injury blows for both Sexton and Joey Carbery. He took that chance, kicking Ireland to victory against Australia and has been outstanding at club level ever since.
Byrne wrestled back control of the second half when introduced against Wales in round one, and played an intelligent game to see out the final 30 minutes against France.
Now 27 and with a strong pack in front of him, Ross is indeed boss.
THE REAL BEAL
Tadhg Furlong’s pre-Six Nations injury concerns sparked the usual anxiety brought on by his absence in years past.
That concern was exacerbated by the news he wouldn’t be fit to face Wales in Ireland’s opener.
Step up Finlay Bealham, a player whose stock had risen since he filled in for the second half of Ireland’s victory over South Africa in the winter.
Even still, questions remained over the Connacht tighthead’s ability to cope when starting Test matches against world class opposition.
Those worries have been eradicated. Bealham was excellent against Wales, better than Andrew Porter it must be said, and again made the most of his start against a ferocious French pack. All of a sudden, the concern over depth at tighthead is no longer what it was. Furlong remains the man, but in Bealham Ireland have able back-up.
WORLD CLASS KIDS
Caelan Doris and Hugo Keenan, two men who were not a fixture heading into the World Cup four years ago, have been Ireland’s Six Nations standouts so far.
Like Sexton and Furlong, when fit both Doris and Keenan are bankers to make the Irish XV — they appear to be irreplaceable.
Doris had the hype — something which he has more than lived up to — and Andy Farrell awarded him a debut start in what was the Englishman’s first game in charge at home to Scotland three years ago.
A head injury, and subsequent struggles saw Doris miss the 2021 championship, but Ireland have hit a new gear since he returned in November of that year.
Meanwhile, Keenan has emerged from left-field to showcase the perfect blend of flair and composure, bringing both assurance in the backfield and elusive attacking threat.
Farrell took a punt on both and at just 24 and 26 respectively, Doris and Keenan should be mainstays for a long time going forward.
GIBSON-PARK LIFE
Like in the case of Furlong, Jamison Gibson-Park’s pre-tournament injury woes cast an ominous cloud over Irish preparations for the Six Nations.
Who would start in his absence? Conor Murray or Craig Casey? And could either man provide the blend of quick ball and chemistry to thrive alongside Sexton?
In the end, Farrell opted for the experience of Murray in the cauldron of the Principality Stadium. His faith in the veteran Munster star — who noticably accelerated his game that day — more than paid off.
Perhaps Murray could not replicate that pace of play a week on, but when things threatened to stagnate against France — in came Casey.
The livewire Shannon man clearly brings that tempo which with Ireland have thrived on in attack, even if he is somewhat unproven as a starter at Test level.
Murray and Casey — polar opposites in how they play the game — both have the requisite quality for this level. More importantly, both have what it takes to cover when Gibson-Park is consigned to the sidelines.