Andy Farrell explique ce qu'il attend des jeunes Irlandais
Andy Farrell a exhorté l’Irlande à faire preuve de courage lorsqu’elle affrontera la France, redoutable favorite du Tournoi des Six Nations, dans le cadre d’une rencontre « alléchante » en guise de lever de rideau.
Les champions du Grand Chelem en titre tenteront de renouer avec la victoire vendredi soir à Marseille, après avoir été éliminés en quart de finale de la Coupe du monde par la Nouvelle-Zélande (28-24).
Un match difficile pour commencer
Bien que les Bleus soient privés de leur star Antoine Dupont pour le Tournoi de cette année, la défense du titre de l’Irlande dans l’ère post-Johnny Sexton n’aurait pas pu commencer par un match plus difficile.
Le sélectionneur Andy Farrell, dont les quatre changements par rapport à la défaite contre les All Blacks le 14 octobre comprennent des titularisations pour les recrues Joe McCarthy, Calvin Nash et Jack Crowley, souhaite que ses joueurs relèvent le défi au Stade Vélodrome.
« Nous sommes tous conscients que c’est un match énorme. C’est alléchant, n’est-ce pas ? », a confié l’Anglais à plusieurs journalistes.
« Le stade, l’ambiance, le fait que ce soit le premier match du Tournoi des Six Nations après une Coupe du monde… Si ça ne suscite pas chez vous de l’enthousiasme, vous n’avez peut-être rien à faire là-bas. »
Être à la hauteur des attentes
« En ce qui nous concerne, il s’agit juste d’être à la hauteur de nos propres attentes, nous nous attendons à être performants sur la grande scène et il n’y a pas vraiment de plus grande scène que celle-là », a poursuivi le coach renouvelé dans ses fonctions.
« La chose la plus excitante pour moi est de voir si nous avons assez de courage, si nous avons assez de courage pour aller faire ce que nous avons dit que nous allions faire et, évidemment, nous jouons contre une équipe de classe mondiale.
« Si vous voulez être le meilleur, vous devez vous mesurer aux meilleurs. Et les sites comme celui-ci vous donnent la chance de le faire.
« Nous devons savourer ce genre d’occasions et les saisir. »
La confiance aux jeunes
Farrell a choisi le deuxième-ligne du Leinster, McCarthy, âgé de 22 ans, plutôt que les expérimentés James Ryan et Iain Henderson, tandis que l’ailier du Munster, Nash, 26 ans, fera également ses débuts dans le Tournoi des Six Nations, à la place de Mack Hansen, blessé.
Par ailleurs, le numéro 10 du Munster, Jack Crowley, 24 ans, sera titulaire pour la première fois dans le Tournoi suite au départ à la retraite de l’ancien capitaine Sexton.
« Jack est un jeune joueur plein de confiance », a déclaré Farrell, qui a choisi Ciaran Frawley du Leinster comme demi d’ouverture en couverture.
« C’est particulièrement difficile pour les jeunes, surtout lorsqu’ils assument des responsabilités à des postes clés, mais il se sent très à l’aise pour le faire.
« La manière dont vous gérez la semaine est cruciale, en vous assurant que le reste de l’équipe sent que vous avez la situation en main. Il a clairement beaucoup appris de Johnny à cet égard.
« Mais à la fin, la seule chose qui compte, c’est la performance, n’est-ce pas ? Il s’agit de prendre cette préparation – qui a été bonne, voire excellente, au camp – et de la traduire en une performance que nous souhaitons tous voir. »
Robbie Henshaw, le trois-quarts centre, remplace son coéquipier du Leinster, Garry Ringrose, qui est indisponible en raison d’un problème à l’épaule.
Comments on RugbyPass
Well said Mils. It is a big boost at last having Fergus Burke back at 10 for the Crusaders. Had a great season last year as the article says. Mils is also right about captain Codie Taylor’s performance in his return to the Crusaders last week. He was all class.
4 Go to commentsLet’s make them both Capt. I think we'd get the best of both of them and it would help alleviate some of the pressures of the role. They'd have to confer over on field decisions which should lead to “ learnings “ for both. They are our two best consistent performers.
16 Go to commentsOur best player by far..but not a good Captain..poor tactician cost the AB'S and Canes games by not taking the easy points and going for tries when the lineouts were a shambles..can he read a game? And his throat slitting gesture should disqualify him from the AB Captaincy..it is not the appropriate behaviour of an AB Captain.
16 Go to commentsForget what was said or how many players said it. TONY BROWN IS THE NEW ATTACK COACH. That’s the only story worth freaking out over. The springboks are going to grow their game an awful lot over the next cycle and it’s not just the 19 disgustingly arrogant Irish players who refused to shake Ebens hand and said “see you in the final if you can cheat your way past France” who will find that out first hand.
121 Go to commentsOn one hand I think it's a bit ridiculous that this gar into the season and with only 2 wins the Crusaders may make the finals. On the other hand if it was only top 4 or 5, then that last several weeks may be mainly dead rubbers. Nope, 8th place after round robin shouldn't be able to lift the trophy.
4 Go to commentsI do think the media in NZ treated him badly. Sam is a legend. He is humble, a great rugby mind and leader. What happened in the final could happen to anyone. The margins is so fine these days. I lay blame at the feet of the coaching staff and NZ rugby. The stats tell’s all. The AB’s was the worst disciplined side in the WC with more red and yellow cards than anyone else. Problem is NZ rugby is not training their players to play safer. And thats the danger a fast game brings. More yellow and red cards. But Sam Cane in my eye was and still is a great ambassador for the game, that just had a stroke of bad luck.
5 Go to commentsI hope Jim and co. Add this to their list of icebreaker questions they can ask all their guests going forward. So we can eventually hear what everyone thinks about this subject. “What do you think Ireland meant…”
121 Go to commentsHe’s a dominant personality. That might be both a good and bad thing in team dynamics. Certainly it ruined Smith’s first crack at 10 with Owen at 12. BTW, Bristol flatter to deceive. When things really matter, they tend to deliver less rather than more. Farrell would have been good for them
36 Go to commentsGot a lot of over the top abuse from Crusader fans, in particular, who thought every 7 they had was miles better. Now we will see if anyone is better? Laid his body on the line every game so finishing early makes sense. A lot of life left after rugby.
5 Go to commentsA poor decision to appoint Carley as not only is Pearce a better referee but also importantly speaks French.
2 Go to commentsHe is 100 % on the mark. Malicious arrogance with a lack of respect for the other teams mostly the south. they must learn from True rugby nations like the Boks and Kiwis
121 Go to commentsThis Outiniqua boy has played sublime rugby and deserves a spot in BI LIONS team. Well played son
4 Go to commentsI don’t like to see players miss big matches but this ban looks to be tailored to allow him to compete in the final. In principle a suspension for a very dangerous tackle in a semi should warrant missing the relevant final. Done now. One the flip side having both teams with very strong squads/teams available for the final will add to the occassion hopefully.
1 Go to commentsTalent to burn and a huge engine..hope he gets a shot at higher honours
2 Go to commentsIf anything like his dad he has a bright future, Soane was the best ball carrying props ive ever seen using a combination of pace power and footwork.
1 Go to commentsThose who saw Sharks vs Clermont and Ox N'Che vs Rabah Slimani should have a good idea of the best scrumagers… May be not the best props…
2 Go to commentsIt's been an unusual era of unpopular, highly competitive, domineering, fairly big fly halves in the home nations with Farrell, Sexton and Biggar. Russell is different in personality and player I think. I'd rank Sexton first of the three because he is just as good a game controller but also has a great passing game. And his competitiveness never seems to cause problems with refs.
36 Go to commentsThank goodness he wasn't born in Scotland, he'd have been a great candidate for the Scottish Barbarians. I wouldn't put it past them to push for a “where the player was conceived” rule 😂
2 Go to commentsOwen Farrell is one of the most polarising figures in the game. His entire attitude on the field (and sometimes off of it) smacks of arrogance and he is about as brash as Donald Trump in a political debate. Yet behind that facade is a calculating, determined and powerful leader who drives any team forward with an Iron will. You are right in that he gets better in the heat of battle and in the face of overwhelming odds. He develops a narrow focus and he delivers his best in a way that few others can. He is one of Englands great performers who sacrificed alot for the team and who often bears the weight of responsibility of leadership alone on the field and in front of the media. Despite what many think of him he is a fantastic game manager with a good rugby brain. He will be sorely missed from the international stage
36 Go to commentsAlways proud of the effort, Sam. The All blacks never stop fighting, never just roll over. He didn’t get anywhere near the respect he earned, but that’s due to results, not commitment to the cause. Have fun dominating in Japan!
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