Eddie Jones' unsparing verdict on Andy Farrell's Ireland

Japan head coach Eddie Jones believes Ireland are on the downward slope of their recent golden era, suggesting Andy Farrell’s side are “coming off their peak” as they transition towards the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

Ireland face New Zealand in Chicago this weekend as part of their November tour, but Jones’ doesn’t rate their chances.

Speaking on the Rugby Unity podcast, Jones said he recently visited Dublin on a recce tour and ran into Ireland head coach Andy Farrell.

The Australian was blunt in his assessment of where the world’s number two side stand. Ironically, he believes supplying the bulk of the British & Irish Lions tour squad will count against Andy Farrell’s men when they face the All Blacks at Soldier’s Field.

“I was in Dublin for a recce tour just before; I was walking through the streets and ran into Andy Farrell,” Jones said. “They’ve got so many in the Lions, their Lions players have started late so they haven’t had much club time, and then they basically go to Ireland for 10-day prep and that’s all they’ve got behind them.

“So I think they might be a bit short of match preparation. New Zealand have been hardened by the Rugby Championship. I think for this game New Zealand should win, and should win it pretty well.

“How are Ireland travelling generally? I think there’s no doubt that they’re coming off their peak. Can they bring through some new young talent to get them up again? That’s going to be the challenge for Andy over the next 18 months.”

Jones, who spent six years in charge of England before returning to Japan, went on to praise Ireland’s system of player development but warned that regeneration must happen quickly if they’re to remain contenders through to the next World Cup cycle.

“What is out there in Ireland, and can he bring it through quick enough to adapt to Test rugby?” he asked. “That’s the challenge.”

On the same podcast, Jones was very complimentary about the Irish system, contrasting their structure with other nations, praising the way the schools and provinces are aligned.

“Ireland, for a small country, do fantastically well. They say that the Leinster Academy is made up of 16 private schools, which then get assistance from Leinster to run their programmes and equip their gyms — and you can see what Ireland have done over the last few years because of that.”