Andy Farrell responds to Eddie Jones prediction for Japan’s clash with Ireland

Andy Farrell has brushed off Eddie Jones’ pre-match mind games ahead of Ireland’s Nations Championship clash with Japan on Saturday.

Jones, who will return from a four-match ban imposed by the Japanese federation for abusing match officials earlier this year, has said he expects his pack to dominate the Irish scrum in the second half when the two sides meet in Newcastle, Australia.

But Farrell, who knows Jones well from their time together at Saracens, took the comments with good humour.

“In the first and second half especially, we expect to dominate in all areas of the game,” Farrell told reporters.

“I have loads of respect for Eddie,” he added. “We go back a long way, and I know what he’s trying to do. There’s always something, and it’s great for you guys to throw the questions back over here.

“It’s just a bit of banter thrown back, I would have thought, from my end.”

Ireland will again be without Ulster wing Robert Baloucoune, who missed last weekend’s win over Australia, while Jeremy Loughman is also out after suffering a concussion in Sydney.

However, Farrell expects both players to recover in time for next week’s clash against New Zealand at Eden Park.

“We just thought it would be a little bit stupid of us to push him,” he said of Baloucoune.

“It’s a little bit softly-softly with him to make sure that he’s fit for next week.”