Succeeding Schmidt will leave Farrell with many challenges
Andy Farrell’s rise has been far from straightforward and he’ll find more obstacles once he assumes control
ANDY FARRELL knows what the bad times look and feel like. It is just as well because contrary to some of the enthusiastic reception to news of his succeeding Joe Schmidt in a year’s time, Farrell will have an enormously difficult job.
There are reasons to suppose he can lead Ireland successfully even beneath the all-reaching shadow of Schmidt, but there is nothing certain about that, either.
Schmidt has inspired Ireland to feats that might never be equalled: a Grand Slam and wins against South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, all within 12 months.
Those tangible achievements do not consider his inspirational effect and the influence he has had on a generation of coaches – including Farrell.
That will not be the only issue confronting Farrell when he takes over after the World Cup. His own professional traumas, the assembly of a coaching team that can keep Ireland at the head of the game, retirements, and the rise of Ireland’s rivals will all loom up before him.
This will not be seamless. It cannot be.
FARRELL’S PAST
The setting was Pennyhill Park, an exclusive hotel and spa favoured by the England rugby team. The time was the first week in October 2015, and England’s home World Cup was almost done.
Defeats to Wales and Australia had rendered it a disaster and Farrell, his country’s backs’ coach, was before the press. ‘Come on,’ he said in exasperation on Sky Sports after they asked him if nepotism explained the selection of his son, Owen, over George Ford. Time has proven that the young Farrell is a far superior Test player to Ford, but three years ago, amid the debris of a nation’s splintered ambitions, every rumour and whisper was being tested for credibility. Farrell’s press duties that day were testy and strained, but he fronted up and said he was ready to accept the consequences of failure.
Eddie Jones declined to keep Farrell on after he succeeded Stuart Lancaster, and that decision has been regretted by more than one commentator over the water since.
Schmidt took a chance when appointing Farrell the following January, and the news was not met with overwhelming enthusiasm. But he has been a huge success, even declining the opportunity to work with Jones when approached at the end of last season.
His willingness to absorb the lessons, however painful, imparted by his time with England have strengthened him.
Farrell was asked at the start of his Ireland involvement, on tour to South Africa in June 2016, why he had chosen to join Schmidt’s team.
‘Some sentimental things, some things where I need to keep pushing on and keep getting better, because that’s all I’m interested in really, having a career that is sustainable,’ he said then.
‘I want to keep getting better at what I do, and I feel this squad under Joe is going to give me that platform to keep getting better.’
He has been seen as a leader since his playing days – but the role of head coach will bring a more diverse, complicated challenge.
HIS COACHES
Ronan O’Gara hasn’t made a bad decision in his coaching career yet. Eschewing the easy option of a role with Munster – and it would almost certainly have been available to him had he sought it – he went to Paris, then New Zealand.
The former brought an introduction to a culture lacking the high standards attained on these islands; the latter has exposed him to a country where basic skills are honed to an art form.
This all leaves O’Gara as one of the most experienced young coaches in the world – and inevitably linked with a part in Farrell’s new Ireland.
O’Gara hasn’t turned on his heel and ran away from the speculation, either.
‘It changes very quickly; one phone call can change anything,’ he said this week.
‘At the minute I am in New Zealand, extremely happy, contracted to the Crusaders and will be for a while.
‘But something like that, it’s your home country.’
Robbie Keane rang Mick McCarthy and asked for a job in his new Ireland management. O’Gara hasn’t done that, but his comments will have registered with Farrell.
The temptation to add a legend to his support staff might be strong, but getting the right people is what Farrell has to do. Schmidt was brilliant at this (as was Declan Kidney at the start of his time with Ireland).
Supposing that Farrell combines his head coach work with defensive duties, he will still need an attack coach, as well as a scrum coach to take over from Greg Feek, whose involvement ends after the World Cup.
Farrell can’t try to coach defence and attack as well as oversee the whole show. Jerry Flannery and John Fogarty could interest him as scrum replacements, but Kidney went to South Africa and Australia for his expertise.
If that is where the best are, Farrell must do likewise – no matter how well local appointments might play.
RIVALS ON THE RISE
Behind Ireland, Wales were the story of the autumn. They defeated Australia and South Africa, and Warren Gatland does look to be regenerating a side for one last tilt under his leadership.
He, like Schmidt, goes after the next World Cup, but they started his last year with their first November clean sweep.
The retirement of Sam Warburton has frankly not affected them, with Justin Tipuric excelling, Liam Williams was outstanding at full-back and they have depth at out-half.
France were having a decent autumn up to their disastrous loss to Fiji in Paris, but the efforts being made by Bernard Laporte off the field to strengthen the national team and rein in the clubs is more important to their long-term strength.
There must remain major doubts about how well Eddie Jones has recast England, but by sheer strength of numbers, they will be a force come the start of the next World Cup cycle.
Factor in Rassie Erasmus at South Africa and the ceaseless excellence of New Zealand, and Farrell will find challenges everywhere.
Closer to home, it will be Wales and England causing most headaches, and perhaps even the Scots under Gregor Townsend, too.