RETIREMENTS

THIS has barely been alluded to but it could be a very great factor in the success or otherwise of Andy Farrell’s Ireland.

Seven of the 15 that started the win against New Zealand will be 30 or older at the end of the World Cup. Conor Murray, who would have played if fit, would make an eighth. Of that group, Keith Earls will be 32, Rob Kearney and Devin Toner 33, Johnny Sexton 34 and Rory Best 37. Ireland’s most important player and the two players central to their lineout will all retire or be within sight of the end by the time Farrell takes over.

For all of the enthusiasm about the production power of the Leinster academy, replacing Sexton, Kearney, Best and Toner will be an imposing job.

Farrell is at least familiar with the systems instituted by Schmidt, and has been a part of the planning that has seen Jordan Larmour, James Ryan, Joey Carbery and Andrew Porter introduced. Jacob Stockdale, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw and Luke McGrath are other emerging leaders.

Farrell will not be devoid of talent, but he will have to plan without a group of players who have proven more influential than the O’GaraO’Connell-O’Driscoll axis.

Finding players will be one challenge; finding leaders is another job again.