IRFU say they have had an 'average return' from Andy Farrell's first year
Head coach Andy Farrell will be given time to revive Ireland’s fortunes after the first year of his tenure was assessed as “an average return” by the IRFU.
Defeats to England and France saw the Irish finish third in the Guinness Six Nations, while they suffered another loss to Eddie Jones’ side in the current Autumn Nations Cup tournament.
Farrell, who stepped up from assistant coach to succeed Joe Schmidt after last year’s World Cup, also came in for criticism following Sunday’s unconvincing win over minnows Georgia.
IRFU performance director David Nucifora admits the team have room for improvement but stressed it is a long-term project and patience will be required during an experimental period.
“Obviously (Sunday’s) performance was disappointing, wasn’t up to speed. You heard Andy Farrell speak after the game – it wasn’t something that he or any of the coaching staff or the players were particularly satisfied with,” the Australian said.
“I suppose at the moment where we sit, the Six Nations – winning our home games, losing the two away games – you would call it an average return for us.
“It’s something we’re obviously looking to build on and improve.
“We’ve used 40 players in the short number of games that we’ve had, which is an extraordinary number of players.
“But that’s what this period of time was always going to be about – looking at players we wouldn’t normally have a chance to look at, combinations we wouldn’t normally experiment with, to see how they perform.
“Even though the performance (on Sunday) was below-par, we still have a lot of confidence that this team will turn it around next week.
“For us, more importantly, it’s longer term, looking at the Six Nations. By the time we get to the end of the ’21 Six Nations, we’ll have a far better understanding of where we are going forward.”
Farrell has won five of his eight matches in charge and will end 2020 with Saturday’s third-place play-off against Scotland in the Autumn Nations Cup.
The Englishman has repeatedly rotated his squad selections and line-ups during his short tenure, including handing out a series of debuts.
With the coronavirus pandemic cancelling the traditional autumn Tests against sides from the southern hemisphere, Nucifora believes it was vital Farrell used the revised schedule to increase his selection pool.
'If players choose not to play their rugby in Ireland, it’s unlikely that we would select them'https://t.co/HnZdKarYv0
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 30, 2020
“You want to see consistency and, I suppose, we can’t have our cake and eat it at the same time – using 40 players and trying to ensure that we get consistency,” said Nucifora.
“It’s an unusual opportunity that we’ve got this November to play Test matches where you feel you’ve got the ability to experiment and try things.
“That doesn’t come around too often in Test match rugby because the pressure is always on you to win.
“I suppose we’re damned if we did, and damned If we didn’t with regards to this window of time. The chopping and changing we’ve done has shown us a lot.
“You’ve always go to keep working on your player depth.”
Nucifora also confirmed the IRFU and four Irish provinces will continue to refrain from entering into contract negotiations with players amid the financial uncertainty caused by Covid-19.
Comments on RugbyPass
Four Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
15 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
1 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to commentsConnaught man? How you can write that without blushing.
6 Go to comments