'Just because he's a quiet character, doesn't mean he hasn't got the intent or the physicality'
Andy Farrell says Ireland must make a statement of intent against Wales to demonstrate their Guinness Six Nations title credentials, and has backed the quiet man of Irish rugby.
The Irish return to Cardiff on Sunday for the first time since a 25-7 defeat in 2019 saw the Welsh replace them as Grand Slam champions.
Head coach Farrell was unable to help his adopted country reclaim the crown during an inconsistent first year in the job, eventually finishing a prolonged tournament third behind England and France.
Farrell has recalled Josh Van Der Flier as part of an enforced back-row reshuffle after a concussion symptom deprived him of the considerable talents of Caelan Doris.
Van Der Flier’s selection at openside flanker means Peter O’Mahony switches to blindside, with CJ Stander moving into the number eight jersey vacated by Doris.
Van Der Flier, who will collect his 29th Test cap, started the first three games of the Farrell era early last year but played a peripheral part in the autumn campaign.
Farrell has backed the mild-mannered Leinster man to plug a sizeable gap.
“Just because he’s a quiet character, doesn’t mean he hasn’t got the intent or the physicality that everyone sees from someone who is flamboyant or boisterous on the field,” Farrell said.
“He gets the job done really well and we’re super excited to see Josh get his chance and show everyone what he’s about.
“In a lot of the big games that we’ve played over the last five years, he’s been an integral part of that.”
After twice comprehensively beating Wales in Dublin during 2020, Farrell wants Ireland to lay down a marker at the Principality Stadium to kickstart the quest for glory.
“We can talk about how well we’ve trained – I suppose every team does that – but it’s about performance now,” said Englishman Farrell.
“Starting off a competition well is key, getting the victory in the Six Nations is key. This is a competition that everyone wants to win at the start.
“The main thing for us is about the continuity of our performance, getting all of our bits right and making sure they all come together in the right format.
“Having a proper intent and showing our want to try and win this competition right from the get-go is key for us.”
Wales produced a limp Six Nations title defence last year, suffering four successive defeats following a first-round win over perennial wooden spoon winners Italy.
Wayne Pivac’s men were second best when defeated 24-14 at the Aviva Stadium in February, before losing 32-9 at the same venue in November during the Autumn Nations Cup.
Ireland’s main challenge for 2021 looks to be closing the gap to Eddie Jones’ England and an exciting young French side.
While unfancied Wales have already been written off in some quarters, Farrell is taking nothing for granted and fully focused on the job in hand.
“They are all big moments – this is the most important one because it’s the next game,” he said.
“It’s the start of a competition that we want to do really well in.
“Once this game is out of the way, the next one will be a big moment as well, France at home.
“Everyone is talking about that being the next step but this is the only game that we’re bothered about.”
Comments on RugbyPass
This article is missing some detail, like some actual context or info about what led to him abusing the ref.
1 Go to comments*They used to say that football is a gentleman sport watched by hooligans and rugby is a hooligan sport watched by gentlemen. How times have changed.*
3 Go to commentsexcept ot wasnt late wasnt late at all so dont know why you all saying its late he commits early and its your fault fir not paying attention
29 Go to commentsNot sure the Bulls need another average utility back in their ranks. Chamberlain has been ok for the Sharks but is by no means an X-Factor player. Bulls bought several utility backs which they barely use. A typical example would be Henry Immelman who plays mostly Fullback. The Bulls however have rarely played him this year and he has played wing or centre. Bulls want to build depth but seems like they have too many surplus players
1 Go to commentsABs lost against a side playing without a hooker - The guy playing, had one shoulder. Line outs were a gimme for the ABs, and the last 8 minutes 14 played 14 against a team that had been smashed 3 weeks in a row… Yet with all that possession, with all that territory, with all the advantages they actually had, especially in the last 8 minutes, they couldn’t buy a point. Those last 8 minutes determined if they outplayed the Boks or not. History will show that the Boks completely outplayed the ABs, especially in those last 8 minutes, the business end of any rugby match
226 Go to commentsWould’ve, could’ve, should’ve, didn’t.
226 Go to commentsKok will become a fan favourite
1 Go to commentsI am really looking forward to Leigh Halfpenny playing his first Super rugby game for the Crusaders Playing a long side his former Welsh and Scarlets team mate Johnny McNicoll.Johnny has been playing great, back in a Crusaders jersey.The attack has strengthened big time. Also looking forward to David Havili at 10. David is a class act, it also allows Dallas McLeod to remain at 12. A good thing.
1 Go to commentsIf he had stopped insisting on playing in the backrow, instead of wing, where everyone told him he should, he would have been a Bok years ago….
11 Go to comments‘Salads don’t win scrums’ 😂 I love that.
19 Go to commentsCan’t wait for the article that talks about misogyny in Ireland. Somehow.
18 Go to commentsI would like to see a rule change, when the attacking team is held up over the try line, by allowing the defensive team to restart a goal line drop out releases the pressure for the defensive team, but what if the attacking team had to restart a tap 5m out from the defensive team it gives the attacking team to apply more pressure, there are endless options for the attacking side and it will keep the fans in suspence.
2 Go to commentsLess modern South African males predictably triggered.
18 Go to commentsMy heart is with Quins, but the head is convinced Toulouse have too much. Ntamack is back, his timing and wisdom has been missed.
1 Go to commentsWow, what a starting line up for the Sharks) Tasty up front,kremer vs Tshituka or venter …fiery ,,Lavannini ,,will he knobble etzebeth? Biggest game for belleau?
1 Go to commentsIt was rubbish to watch, Blues weren’t even present. Did what they had to do, nothing more. Should be better next week against canes.
1 Go to commentsI’ve just noticed that this match has an all-French refereeing team. Surely a game like this ought to have a neutral ref? Although looking at the BBC preview of the Saints game, Raynal is also down as reffing that - so there may be some confusion about who is reffing what.
1 Go to commentsIf Havili can play anywhere in the back line, why not first 5. #10.
11 Go to commentsThe dressing room had already left for their summer break before they ran out in Dublin that year, and that’s on the coach. Franco Smith has undoubtedly made progress, particularly their maul, developing squad players and increasing squad depth. And against a very tight budget too. That said they were too lightweight last year and got found out against both Toulon and Munster in consecutive games. Better this season so far but they’ve developed something of a slow start habit occasionally, most notably losing at home to Northampton who played them at their own game. Play offs will ultimately show whether there has been tangible progress on last year, or not…!
2 Go to commentsAustralian Rugby has been a disaster, by not incorporating learning from previous successful campaigns. QLD Reds 2011 - Waratahs 2014. Players, coaches and administrators appoint there representatives for scheduled meetings, organisation’s agreement’s assessments and correspondence. This why a unified Rugby Union under one entity works. Every Rugby nation has taken that path. Was most difficult in the Northern hemisphere with over 100 years of club rugby before the game become professional. Took a lot of humility for those unions to eventually work together.
7 Go to comments