Coach Farrell expects three wins starting with Italy
IT’S been a frustrating 2021 Six Nations for Andy Farrell but the Ireland coach is quite clear what is needed over the next month – three wins on the bounce to restore a little confidence and optimism.
Ireland have lost four of their last five Six Nations games including the first two matches this season and although fans can point to Peter O’Mahony’s sending off costing them dear in Cardiff and the narrowness (15-13) of their defeat against France that doesn’t cut it for Farrell.
“Three victories is what we expect of ourselves now,” he insists. “We’ll have to show our character. Italy are without a win and they are at home so we will need to take that game on full steam ahead. If you just looked at the scorelines you’d say everything should be rosy, but we know the facts. We’ve watched the Italian side, they’re playing some good rugby as they proved at Twickenham. They caused all sorts of trouble.”
Farrell, right, adds: “Then Murrayfield is no easy task because Scotland are playing particularly well, then hopefully get the right result against England back at the Aviva, it’s what we expect of ourselves here.”
Ireland are knocking on the door of some very decent form which you feel must start yielding a few wins. Their pack – even without the likes of James Ryan, Caelen Doris and O’Mahony – are winning more than their fair share of possession and the front row are earning rave reviews.
The foundations are there but to date the backs have lacked the cutting edge required with injuries to Johnny Sexton and Connor Murray not helping.
Sexton is poised to return from his concussion issues, but while Murray is likely to be over his hamstring strain it could be that Jamieson Gibson-Park is retained in a starting role at scrum-half.
The Kiwi was arguably Ireland’s best player against the French with his speed around the fringes and quick pass bringing much to the party. Farrell might well want to see more of the same against the Italians, whose last home victory in this tournament came against the Irish eight years ago.
As for the Italians, it is difficult to get a handle on their campaign other than there are definite signs of an emerging back division, if only their pack could win more quality possession.
Welsh-born scrum-half Stephen Varney is a real find, he has the pace and tenacity to shine at
Test level and his half-back pairing with Paolo
Garbisi is something to cling onto for the future. Garbisi’s kicking game needs much attention, however, and you wonder who is coaching him? Head coach Franco Smith was a Springbok fly-half with a mighty boot but with general duties claiming his time somebody else needs to sit Garbisi down and go through his options. He’s got a kick like a mule but when going long always goes far too long, making a chase impossible while there are times when he clearly needs to find touch and not downfield. His crossfield kicks though are good and need to be encouraged more. Garbisi has got a good break on him as well but needs to mix his whole game up a little more.
The back three of Jacopo Trulla, Monty Ioane and Luca Sperandio have shown real wheels at times and the neutral yearns to seem them more involved but until Italy can start matching teams up front that is only going to happen sporadically.
There were a few more positive signs against England but they lack a dominant scrum and a lineout ace and without such a player they will continue to struggle.
There doesn’t seem to be any reinforcements on the way but the possible return of Braam Steyn would strengthen the back row where Jake Polledri is still sorely missed.