IRELAND BOSS ANDY Farrell has expressed his distaste for what he calls the “absolutely disgusting” circus around the disciplinary case involving his son, England captain Owen Farrell.
Ireland play England in a World Cup warm-up on Saturday but Owen Farrell will not be involved after World Rugby appealed an independent disciplinary panel’s decision to overturn his red card against Wales last weekend.
The appeal hearing will take place early next week, Six Nations Rugby has confirmed, but England head coach Steve Borthwick said he had left Farrell out of the clash with Ireland after disruption to his training schedule caused by the disciplinary process.
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell was asked about the case in Dublin this afternoon and while he opted against going into the specifics, he did hit out at what he perceives to be the “circus” around it.
“What’s my thoughts on it? Does it really matter?” said Farrell.
“Well, whatever I say anyway is probably flawed because I know what you are talking about and when you’re talking about somebody’s son and you are asking me the question, it’s always going to be flawed so what does that really matter, you know?
“Probably, probably… you know, I don’t normally say too much because of that reason about my son.
“What I probably would say is that, at this moment in time, the circus that has gone around all of this is absolutely disgusting, in my opinion, disgusting and I suppose those people who have loved their time in the sun get a few more days to keep going at that.”
Farrell was more keen to discuss Ireland and their selection for this weekend’s clash with the English.
The Ireland boss has named a strong selection that also sees Cian Prendergast getting a big chance to impress as he makes his first Test start at number eight.
“I just see improvement all the time, you know. He came to New Zealand [last year] with us very raw, came back into Connacht and, to be fair, he’s always been a standout performer for Connacht, just because of his fight, his energy,” said Farrell of Prendergast.
“He’s a warrior of a type of player, he’s fit, tough but there’s all sorts of his game that he needs to tidy up and over the last eight weeks we’ve seen that in abundance.
“His feel in around the game has improved, not just decision-making ball in hand, which has made his skill level a lot better but also his decision-making defensively, etc.
Farrell said it had been tough to release five players from Ireland’s wider training squad this weekend, with Gavin Coombes, Caolin Blade, Jamie Osborne, Kieran Treadwell, and Calvin Nash cut from the group.
There had been hopes among many Ireland fans that Munster man Coombes would get a shot in the warm-up games but he has been squeezed out again.
“You know what, feedback that I have with players, I’d love that to remain from my side personal anyway,” said Farrell when asked what Coombes needed to do more of to force his way into the mix.
“But there’s been feedback all the way through. I would say more so for all those five players, the competition is fierce.
“It’s been great to see and Gav has fought hard. Gav has 100% improved over these last eight weeks in all sorts of areas, including his skill level, etc. but you know it’s a fiercely-fought type of position for us at this moment in time and unfortunately, for now, he misses out like the other four.”
Keith Earls is set for his 100th Ireland cap off the bench on Saturday and Farrell was effusive in his praise for the 35-year-old wing.
“It gives us all a buzz,” said Farrell. “It’s such a privilege for us all within camp to be involved in such a special week for Keith and his family. He is a member of the squad that is so well respected throughout.
“Why? He’s a selfless person who keeps giving to others. There is no better man deserving of his 100th cap here at the Aviva, than Keith, against England.
“I just hope that the fans that are coming, along with us and our performance, make it a special day for him.”
I agree, whether I’m in a nightclub, pub, at a wedding supermarket, walking the dog, waiting for the train, at the docters, library, anywhere, I always ask myself “how can I score from here? “
Henry did something similar down in Argentina and now look at how good they are with the ball in hand in comparison to Argentine sides of the pre 2011 years.
Cullen & Dempsey asked for this themselves. If you can get a chat with a guy like Henry for a couple of hours over dinner then you’d take it. If you can get him for a couple of weeks then brilliant. It’s up to the two lads to ask the right questions and remember and understand the answers.
Leinster’s basic handling skill have been neglected for 3 seasons now. If we need to employ a coach to tell us to run and pass straight and not drift 30% across the field then we really are bad.
We have a team coached to win collisions rather than coached to score tries.
Henry is just off the plane, he is espousing his general philosophy, not analysing what is or isn’t happening at Leinster. Give it time.
One of Schmidt’s key mantras was getting Leinster to be one of the best passing teams in Europe. He succeeded, but it took time and a lot of effort, so it’s not as simple as ‘employing a coach to tell us to run and pass straight’. I’m sure Henry can bring much more to the table than that too.
I do find it funny how people have turned getting one of the best coaches in world rugby as a consultant into a negative thing though! Ah the Irish rugby fan.
Have to agree with Rascal here, Chris – Leo and Girv are relatively inexperienced coaches, but they are certainly not clueless. Henry is hardly going to give a detailed explanation of his coaching philosophy in a few off the cuff remarks to journalists, either.
I thought Leo did reasonably well in his first year as Head Coach, given how little experienced support he had around him – only McQuilken (50) was proven, and it was no coincidence that Leinster’s defence was by a mile the best aspect of their game last season. There was, I believe, also a substantial RWC hangover – Leinster had 23 players at the tournament
Experienced support of the highest order is what they have brought in here, and it speaks volumes of Cullen’s humility and desire to improve that he requested it. Quite the opposite of the situation that Axel has found himself in (and I do not mean that as a criticism of Foley or Munster – more that Leo was smart enough to learn from others’ misfortune and to actively seek to avoid a similar fate).
Cullen (38), Dempsey (40), Fogarty (38) are all very new to coaching at this level. It seems pretty clear that Henry’s task here is to assess and improve the coaches, not the players. That can only be a good thing. It was announced as a two week stint, although I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the relationship were extended beyond the announced fortnight.
Brian I never said they were clueless but honestly our basic handling skills are poorer than they were 3 years ago.
We play a win the collision/impact game rather than keep the ball alive and move it so we can create and finish chances
Agreed that the ball skills are considerably worse than they were when Schmidt left. Both players and coaches are of a considerably lower standard since, unfortunately, although there are some mitigating circumstances: we lost the best coach Irish rugby has ever had, the two best centres Irish rugby has ever produced, Sexton went to France and has yet to consistently find his groove since returning, Isa (arguably Irish rugby’s greatest import) hung up his boots in his prime (he’s still great, but not what he was), Rob Kearney lost his mojo, and the only decent winger we had was perennially injured (or playing centre!).
All of that being said, there is little doubt that standards slipped dramatically during MOC’s tenure. I think Leo may well be up to the task of bringing those standards back up again (less certain of Girv). The fact that Johnny has had a summer of rest could be the biggest factor ultimately – aside from being our key player, he is also the guy who most drives the standards in the squad.
Brian hopefully Johnny, Cian and Sean all come back after their first summer off in God knows how long refreshed and raring to go.
We have issues in the centre of the pitch teo, Luke and Madigan all gone and rob henshaw is injured.
Hopefully someone will step up and do the job.
I hope we don’t use a stop gap like switching Ferg or Zane and play some of the younger players.
I’m hopeful or a return to the good old days and with a bit of luck and fingers crossed we will
You think Darcy was better than Mike Gibson, Brian?
Arliss – good point; no, I’d have to concede that I don’t think D’Arcy was better than Michael Cameron Henderson Gibson. I think my point probably stands, nonetheless
Chris – I know, centre looks dreadfully thinly stocked. I’d imagine the Luke had been pencilled in as at least cover at 12 – he was excellent there last year. Now or never for Eoin O’Malley: he certainly has the attacking talent.. Can he learn to defend? I suspect not tbh. Tom Daly is going to see quite a lot of rugby, I think, and Ringrose is looking like a relative veteran!
*meant Noel Reid, not Eoin O’Malley. Such a shame we lost O’Malley to injury.
I can’t help but feel a lil more positive about the provinces minus Connacht o course
Ulster have a second season under kiss with him been there from the start this time around plus a few tasty signings
Munster have a new DOR plus D coach
Leinster have henry even if it is for only a few weeks and connacht need to continue their upward curve they havent lost many from their squad plus a new south afrian flyhalf no reason why all the clubs should be aiming for a knockout spot in europe
Sounds good, but you’d have to wonder about Cullen and Dempsey if they’re falling down in the basics. The positive is that the issues are being addressed, but is two weeks long enough? Will Henry be staying in touch afterwards and providing tips?
I hate when a troll slips in below the radar and gains traction like this.
Aww, I take it your not a fan of those terribly amusing panel shows programmes with humorist celebrities. PLEASE everyone take Rugby seriously for Rascal. Now what defensive lineout routines do you envisage him utilising? For league? In Europe?
You’ve lost me, Timmay…
Reminds me of the Steve Staunton/Bobby Robson combination Ireland brought a few years back.
Hopefully Henry doesn’t go and die too