Ireland turn focus to ‘bread and butter’ Six Nations

With their “bread and butter” of the Six Nations debuting in February, Ireland boss Andy Farrell hopes his side can regain momentum.

Farrell’s side lost to New Zealand before recording an unconvincing win over Japan and a record-setting victory over Australia.

Five players were shown cards in the final 24-13 loss to South Africa, which is where Farrell believes Ireland’s less experienced players will learn the most.

He responded, “Well, I told the young men that I think it’s been great for us in terms of our journey.

“When you look at Paddy McCarthy’s likes, I thought he was really good,” he said, “and then the experience you’re giving to people who are stepping up at this level right now in Cian Prendergast, Nick Timoney, Tommy O’Brien, all those kinds of people who have gained more and more experience. That is necessary for them.

Despite having 12 players on the pitch at one point in the second half due to an under-disciplined first half, Ireland showed resilience in the second half against South Africa.

However, the world champions overcame their own set and won for the first time in Dublin since 2012.

Farrell claims that a gap between Rassie Erasmus’ side and those above them in the rankings can only be overcome by improving in their Six Nations opener against France in three months.

Farrell continued, “Our Six Nations is our bread and butter, which matters the most to us,” adding that.

So, it’s about how we plan to prepare for the next nine weeks, both individually and as a team, while everyone returns to the provinces and getting ready for international rugby, which was obviously challenging at the start of this campaign.

After playing a game like that, it is clearly obvious that we need to spend nine weeks figuring out how to return to camp.

As he looks to expand Ireland’s depth chart as they fight for their championship crown from France, Farrell hopes that the likes of Brian Gleeson, Edwin Edogbo, and Cormac Izuchukwu will return fit and firing for their provinces.