Farrell is a welcome distraction

THE appointment of Andy Farrell as Ireland defence coach brought merciful relief from the captaincy discussion.

Choosing a replacement for Paul O’Connell has been analysed as if there were nothing more important, despite European humiliations, World Cup disappointment, second-row options and the worrying form of Johnny Sexton.

It is an argument pegged in a time when ritual and symbolism were more highly prized. With motivated professionals, the identity of who leads the team out against Wales in 28 days’ time is much less important.

Given the thin crowds appearing at provincial matches and the disillusionment engendered by defeat to Argentina last October, an inspiring figure cut from the material that made O’Connell great would make sense, in which case Seán O’Brien is the incontestable choice.

But if it is Jamie Heaslip or Rory Best, Ireland’s springtime fate is not jeopardised.

There are more important matters, and the installation of Farrell (above) is one of them. The testimony of players who served under him on the 2013 Lions tour was positive, and reservations about the choice made by Joe Schmidt centre on England’s World Cup travails.

They were shredded defensively by Australia, but the English players looked half-beaten in that match after their loss to Wales. The selection of Sam Burgess and claims of Farrell’s influence are more commonly used in evidence against him, but reports he had inordinate control in picking Stuart Lancaster’s team rely on nothing more than hearsay.

On the available evidence, Schmidt has made a big, ambitious call.