Andy Farrell: Ireland 'a very good side, there’s no doubt about that'

Andy Farrell says he has never doubted Ireland’s quality during a patchy autumn campaign as his side seek to sign off on a high against world champions South Africa.

Ireland produced their best display of the month on Saturday evening to register a record 46-19 win over Australia.

Head coach Farrell criticised his team’s performances following a 26-13 defeat to New Zealand on November 1 and a disjointed 41-10 win over Japan a week later.

“We’re a very good side, there’s no doubt about that,” he said.

“You could put in all sorts of reasons of why the first performance or the second performance (was not up to scratch) or whatever but that’s never been in doubt, in my mind anyway.”

Fixture

Internationals

Ireland

13 - 24

Full-time

South Africa

All Stats and Data

South Africa, who top the world rankings and have won 21 of 25 matches since retaining the World Cup in 2023, are due in Dublin on Saturday evening.

Ireland have won four of the past five meetings between the nations.

“You always want to test yourself against the best,” said Farrell.

“Certainly in this moment in time, South Africa are definitely the best and we relish that sort of opportunity to see where we’re at.

“Everyone’s talking about them and the type of rugby that they’re playing.

“They’ve played some brilliant stuff. It’s a fantastic way to finish off our autumn.”

Mack Hansen’s hat-trick set Ireland on course for the six-try success against Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies at a rain-soaked Aviva Stadium before scores from Caelan Doris, Ryan Baird and Robbie Henshaw sealed victory.

Farrell feels a greater performance will likely be required to upset the Springboks.

“I don’t think it (the Australia display) will necessarily be enough,” he said.

“But I like the way that we got out of the way of ourselves.

“Last week (against Japan), we talked about after a couple of errors we just went within ourselves a little bit and it didn’t happen this week.

“There were plenty of mistakes – it’s always going to happen in Test match rugby anyway, never mind with the conditions the way they were.”