LONG READ England could force Ireland to break the bank if they go hard after Andy Farrell

“No I didn’t,” Andy Farrell insisted, as he locked eyes with the reporter. “None of that. Just tell the truth. That’s it.”

On a day when there was a private jet taking the Six Nations trophy from Dublin to Paris – the inanimate object travelling in better style that most of us will ever know – two journeys were saved.

The trophy, double-jobbing after the original had been damaged in a fire, was spared a red-eye flight back to Dublin. Andy Farrell and a handful of his Irish players did not have to travel from The Shelbourne Hotel, back to Aviva Stadium, for a Six Nations champions press conference.

France went into the championship’s final day as overwhelming favourites. Ireland celebrated their Triple Crown win, after seeing off Scotland for the 12th time in a row, did their media and corporate duties, then headed back to their Dublin city centre hotel to relax with family and friends, and watch how France vs. England unfolded. Many of them will not have allowed themselves to get seduced by hope, until that 77th minute try by Tommy Freeman.

As it transpired, France were gifted a lifeline as England failed to close out what was an excellent performance. The moment Nika Amashukeli awarded Les Bleus a penalty, you knew Thomas Ramos would knock it over. “Cold,” is how France lock Joshua Brennan would label Ramos’ match-winner.

Four hours before that crazy conclusion at Stade de France, Farrell had told us he would love to spend one of these mad days enjoying the action, as a fan, “Doing a bit of a pub crawl.” Not just yet, though.

Just after Farrell wrapped his main conference, during which he hailed captain Caelan Doris as “outstanding”, declared Tom O’Toole the find of the tournament and joked about 28-year-old Rob Baloucoune getting the Rising Star award, he stepped into the hallway that leads to the changing rooms, and tunnel. This would be a press natter that would be embargoed until Monday. I was the first one back there, along with Ireland’s media manager. “Is this a one-on-one?” I chanced. “Could be,” Farrell replied, eyebrows raised. Within 30 seconds, though, the scene was mobbed. A dozen phones recording the Q&A.

Farrell started off in merry form, joking with Gerry Thornley of The Irish Times and hailing his side’s Triple Crown win as a huge part of ‘an amazing day’. Asked if the 43-21 victory was a better performance than piecing up England, 42-21, Farrell replied, “Ah, they’re both special… Scotland were never going to go away, as they are a top side, but how we kept going after the game, rather than going into our shells and trying to hold on… we kept playing until the death.”

“That’s five trophies in five years. It was the great Welsh side of the 1970s that did that last, and what a special side they were.”

Andy Farrell

The reporters milling around Farrell were all conscious that a lot of water would flow under the bridge, and pints over the bar, by 10pm that evening. This would be a chat that focused on some key elements of Ireland’s wrapped campaign, and very much so on the year ahead. Farrell had spoken with his squad, even those not kitted out for the match, in the home dressing room about the 18 months ahead, culminating in the World Cup, in Australia.

“People have to grow from this – the competition. The lads who have had a sniff of it. Those that have not necessarily played today, it is up to them to keep on competing, as well. To show us that they have learned some lessons. Everyone is fighting for a seat on the plane.”

Farrell insists that Ireland are heaping pressure on themselves to make big achievements, claim as much silverware as possible and make the whole island proud in their deeds. The players and staff celebrated lifting the Triple Crown with some gusto. One imagines Farrell had claiming that prize right up the agenda, after the opening night disappointment in Paris.

“That’s five trophies in five years,” he informed us. “It was the great Welsh side of the 1970s that did that last, and what a special side they were.”

2022: Triple Crown

2023: Grand Slam (Triple Crown and Six Nations title included)

2024: Six Nations champions

2025: Triple Crown

2026: Triple Crown

Andy Farrell on his future with Ireland

After falling to France in the first game of the championship, Ireland had lost three from five Tests. Questions bubbled to the surface about their ageing squad, strength-in-depth in key areas, the player production line, playing style, who should wear the 10 jersey and if this side was on the down-slide after the highs of 2021 to 2024.

Ireland may have been asked to step away from rugby’s top table, but they are back and browsing the menu. Sampling the wine. Feeling good about life.

Queried if Ireland were ‘ahead of schedule’ in this World Cup cycle, Farrell looked non-plussed. “No. No schedule. Just free and easy, and trying to give people a chance,” he replied.

The Ireland coach is leaning on his wider staff to keep the non-selected players in the loop, and to make them feel needed, because you never know when they will be. It was interesting to note how Iain Henderson, who was not in the initial championship squad and never played a minute, was at Aviva Stadium and in a team tracksuit, down on the pitch, for the trophy presentation.

Farrell did not have Hugo Keenan, Andrew Porter, Mack Hansen, Ryan Baird, Paddy McCarthy, Jack Boyle, Shayne Bolton or Jordan Larmour to call on. They brought back Jimmy O’Brien and Robbie Henshaw, but did not select them for the Scotland game. With all that in mind, he still used 35 players in this championship, the most ever for an Ireland squad (beating the previous record by four).

“Just look at the bench coming on,” Farrell reflected. “I thought Nick Timoney was… what a tournament, but he was immense for the 25 minutes when he came on.

“So, that’s a lovely story, but the confidence for Mikey (Milne) and Darragh (Murray) and people like that, for them to be trusted to perform. Again, it shows that they belief it’s their team so they need to keep showing that, week on week.”

Farrell is contracted with the IRFU until after the 2027 World Cup. Saracens have already released a statement distancing themselves from making any moves to secure his services. Before the Scotland game, Farrell said he would meet with the union, soon, to discuss his future.

Pressed on it again, in the hallway, Farrell replied, “Look, I will. I will have a conversation. We’ve already spoken about having a conversation. That won’t be too far away. So, we’ll see how that goes.”

Whatever the 50-year-old’s rate was, heading into the Six Nations, it has shot up, even though Ireland were pipped to the main prize. Farrell is one of the best head coaches, and man motivators, in rugby. Two thoughts jumped to mind, as he spoke

• England should be doing all they can to get him as head coach, after the 2027 World Cup. If they do, the IRFU may have to break the bank to keep him.
• Thankfully, South Africa have settled on Rassie Erasmus until the 2031 World Cup. The Springboks plus Farrell would be game over for all other nations.

Farrell, who has been in Ireland for the past decade, admitted no one would want to give away days like the one he experienced on Saturday. This was the best atmosphere at a home game since France were rumbled in 2023, and New Zealand beaten in 2021.

“I’d like to watch it though, sometimes,” he added. “Walking down from The Shelbourne and doing a bit of a pub crawl, it sounds nice to me but their special days and it’s through the lads and the staff. I mean the staff that we’ve got is second to none. Great people. Great at their jobs. As a coaching staff, I think we’re getting better. We’re learning about each other more. We’re getting more cohesive and getting better as well. It’s not just the players.”

Thornley nipped back in with an emotive question. Coaxing and nurdling. Would you love to stay on?

“You’ve wrote the piece already anyway!” Farrell remarked. “You know that I love this. There’s all sorts of stuff that needs to be talked about, I’ve no doubt.”

We know what type of identity that we’re trying to chase down as a group and that’s what we need to hold ourselves true to. That’s what matters most.

When another reporter, Derek Foley, sought to get an insight into Farrell’s thinking after the 36-14 defeat to France, he got a broad smile in return.

“You’re very consistent.” he shot back. “Derek, I’ve had media training. I know what you’re trying to do!”

No cups were thrown, no dog was kicked. Farrell stated, “No I didn’t. None of that. Just tell the truth. That’s it.”

Had Farrell’s belief ever been shaken, then, by that pasting in Paris, or the November losses to New Zealand or South Africa?

“No, honestly, when I said it, after England, that I was genuinely not bothered whether we won or lost, it was just about growing, that’s the case. It’s certainly never going to be a given on a day like that – under pressure and playing against a great side – that’s going to happen. But we know what type of identity that we’re trying to chase down as a group and that’s what we need to hold ourselves true to. That’s what matters most.”

It was not exactly a one-on-one, but I did squeak in a question to Farrell about how Ireland went from a ragged side trailing 22-0 at the break, in France, to Triple Crown champions and a form team, with new caps, building nicely into the summer’s Nations Championship.

“Nothing surprised me after Paris, no, because we’ve had weeks like that before, with regards to honesty of where we’re at and what we expect of each other. You can’t say things in the week and not review it, and not hold each other accountable to it.

“So, a great place to be is that the coaching staff are not just holding people accountable, they’re holding each other accountable and that’s when you know you’ve got a good group.”

2026 Six Nations campaign over, Farrell shook some hands and headed off to take in more rugby. There would be no Six Nations title, later that night, but his coaching stock feels stronger than ever.

Right now, most Ireland fans – even the ones with a grá for ROG – would rejoice if it was announced Farrell was sticking around until 2031.

One day for that pub crawl. One day.