“HONESTLY, I’VE NOT even thought about it.”
So says Andy Farrell when he’s asked how he feels about heading to Twickenham to take on his native England as the head coach of Ireland in two weekends’ time.
His son, Owen, will be captaining the opposition so it will surely be a strange experience in that sense alone. Add in the fact that Farrell had some superb days and some dark days with England at Twickers as an assistant coach and it will surely be an odd outing for him on 23 February.
Keen not to make it about him, Farrell deflects by underlining that his Ireland team have made a good start to the Six Nations with two from two, but adds that he’s happy they have so much to improve on.
Nine match points in total so far and second in the championship table to France only on points difference, it’s been a positive start for Ireland.
“It is important but I suppose at this stage, it’s just about learning the lessons and getting better and understanding what we are trying to achieve,” said Farrell on Saturday evening after the 24-14 bonus-point win over Wales.
“If you can do that on the back of a win all the better really.
“I just said to the lads in the changing room that it is a great place to be – you have got two from two and there is still plenty to fix.”
Two victories to open the championship would appear to ease the pressure on Ireland as they now look towards the first Six Nations break weekend and then onto that trip to Twickenham for a Sunday clash with Eddie Jones’ side.
But Farrell and his players won’t be heading to London simply to have a decent crack at the English. We can be certain that behind closed doors, this Irish group will already be feeling that a championship success is now very realistic.
“We want to keep the pressure on,” said Farrell.
“Our review last week was a joint-review with all concerned, it was honest and it was open and there was no finger-pointing and we just got on with fixing what we needed to.
“Did we fix it all? No, because everyone is looking for the perfect performance. We was never going to get it today because there is still plenty to do, but that’s why I’m looking forward to next week.
“I’m looking forward to a few lads going back and playing for the provinces and I look forward to getting them back up as a squad of 35 or 36 to join up together on the Monday of the England week. As I said, it’s a good place to place to be.”
Ireland will have a three-day training camp in Cork this week before breaking for the weekend, many players from the extended squad returning to their provinces to play but Farrell’s front-liners putting their feet up.
The head coach has been pleased with the form of those men in the opening two weeks of the championship. The likes of CJ Stander, Peter O’Mahony, and Conor Murray had come under severe scrutiny from supporters and the media leading into the Six Nations, but Farrell has been impressed with how they have focused to deliver performances.
“They have been themselves, a driving force all week for the team, driving the team on to the performance they gave out there,” said Farrell.
“So, I suppose they hear all the noise and they have been up for press so they have been answering questions but it doesn’t affect players of that quality.”
Ireland have some early momentum.
But while England haven’t looked themselves yet in this championship, the toughest task for Farrell’s men yet is likely ahead in two weekends’ time.
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@Fred McHugh: very true
@Fred McHugh: he has excellent videos
Without Billy Vunipola and hopefully Tuilagi I really think we can get a triple crown here. Dare I say it but we could be going to France grand slam at stake.
@Cranesofdublin: Jones says Tuilagi will be fit. Whether or not he’ll immediately be at 2019 form remains to be seen.
@Cranesofdublin: Billy is massive loss to them we have a good chance I feel
I’d only make one change to the starting 15 for the English game, kilcoyne in and Healy to the bench. Thought henshaw provided a directness and physicality that we’ve badly missed with ringrose in the jersey as well so hopefully he’s fit. I’d like like to see doris at 8 at some stage with stander at 6 but Twickenham isn’t the place to go and move the countries best 8 out of position.
On the bench I’d swap toner out for Dillane. The lineout has been exceptional in the last 2 games so no need for him and I’d prefer the mobility and physicality that Dillane brings coming off the bench. Porter and Kelleher keep their spots for me. Tough one to call on the sub flanker but it’s between Doris and o donoghue. I’d probably go o donoghue for physicality, versatility and freshness.
@Jim Demps: Doris could do the job as well so either would be fine. I’d keep cooney on the bench, Earls at 23 and I think it’s much of a muchness whether it’s Byrne or burns but I’d give the jersey to Burns and see how he goes, I’ve yet to see Ross Byrne play well for ireland.
@Jim Demps: that’s great Jim but none of those wishes are going to come true and I’ll remind you why- because they are a joke.
@Jim Demps:
So your selection changes would be:
Bring in Kilcoyne, Dillane, JOD, Burns.
Drop Toner, Doris, Healy, Byrne.
At least you’re consistent Jimbo!
@Oval Digest: gonna be that way when the majority of the squad are from Leinster don’t you think?
Doris wasn’t in the last 23 to be dropped, Healy just moves to the bench, I’d say after seeing the squad releases it’s unlikely that burns will get a look which is grand. Dillane for toner is a straight call that I’ve given reasons for. Feel free to counter though but the constant crying anytime someone suggests a leinster player should be dropped is tiresome.
@Jim Demps: What is the logic behind playing Kilcoyne ahead of Healy? And I don’t think there is a chance that Billy Burns is being picked ahead of Ross Byrne, who is the second best fly-half in Ireland at the moment on form.
@Jim Demps: agree with you its a pity beirne/leavy/sean o brien i wish in squad .phyisicality … yea bring on pom lift the roof of. stadium.you wouldn’t drop stockdale for earls??
@Jim Demps: I’m a Leinster fan but with my Ireland hat on I leave provincial bias aside. I agree with most of your post. I consider Kilcoyne to be a better option at OH because quite simply he is a stronger scrummager than Healy and he saved his side with that vital scrum penalty on Saturday. I also believe Dillane offers more from the bench than Toner. There is also a strong argument for having a relatively experienced hard nosed, versatile lad like Incomprehensible on the bench.
@Tom Reilly: Jack ODonoghue became incomprehensible for some unknown reason.
@Tom Reilly: I’d love it if that stuck for a nickname!
@Carmine Lorenzo: quite simply killer is the better prop at the moment, his scrummaging is top notch and we all know how good he is in the loose.
@Paddy D: nah I’d leave Stockdale out there. He offers something different to Conway and I thought he had a good game on the weekend.
@Tom Reilly: that’s some typo. I think there’d be an argument for toners inclusion if the lineout was struggling but it’s not, it’s going incredibly well in fact so I think the extra stuff that Dillane brings would be worth the change. O donoghue is motoring well at the moment and you’d have to think a hard old slog fest in Twickenham would be right up his alley.
@Jim Demps: Hhhmmm, is that assessment based on these two games only? Not sure if he is the better prop. He’s certainly a far better player than he was 2 years ago since he’s trimmed down and has seemed to have quietened down off the pitch too, which needed to happen. It would be a ballsy move to start him in Twickenham. I love the impact he can have on games off the bench. I wonder which way Farrell will lean.
@Carmine Lorenzo: that’s based on all of 2019 as well. Think Healy has been on a slight downward trajectory since his high of nov 2018 which to be fair is to be expected when you’ve been propping at that level for 10+ years. Kilcoyne has certainly been going the other way and for me and a lot of people is playing far better than the incumbent. Not a big call at all to swap the two.
For Twickenham I’d go :
1. Kilcoyne
2. Herring
3. Furlong
4. Henderson
5. Ryan
6. Stander
7. Van Der Flier
8. Doris
9. Cooney
10. Sexton
11. Earls
12. Aki
13. Henshaw
14. Conway
15. Larmour
Subs
16. Kelleher
17. Healy
18. Porter
19. Toner
20. O’Mahony / O’Donoghue
21. Murray
22. Byrne
23. Addison
@John Carey: some big calls there.
I’d go toner at 4, leave the backrow alone pom stepped up and my only criticism of him is tackle count and he really did answer that. Ringrose to come back in and move henshaw to 12. Earls for stockdale is a fair call.
@Chris Mc: Ringrose is ruled out , we need a second ball carrier in the backrow and make physical tackles. POM has been better then usual but not great . His carries are non-existence. Only made 1 turnover in 2 games compared to CJ’s 7.
Last week was his first time in a long time making double digit tackle figures and none were abrasive hits. Underhill & Curry would smash him.
@John Carey: lineout steals are turnovers aren’t they?
@Jim Demps: not really Jimbo , they’re lineout steaks which is a different skillet
@John Carey: Think you’re being a bit generous there..POM has been average as per. You are spot on when you say we need physicality in that backrow for Twickenham. Would be good to see Doris come back in at 8, and move our best 6 CJ back to his best position. Doris has the temperament and ability to excel in that hostile atmosphere. He’s earned his shot too. Dreadfully unlucky on his debut.
@Jim Demps: No
@Chris Mc: same id start toner as well ..his defence at the breakdown is so underrated.he is some unit to budge.need that maul going as well no better man ..
@John Carey: of course they are, you’re taking the ball from your opponent, no different to jackling it on the ground or hooking it against the head or ripping it out of their hands in a tackle. In American football terms it’s a take away as opposed to a give away.
@John Carey: that was AMAZING