Loss to France ‘has to stand to’ Ireland – Farrell

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell says his side’s humbling defeat by France on Thursday will be “for nothing” if they do not get a response against Italy next weekend.

Ireland were beaten 36-14 at the Stade de France to begin their 2026 Six Nations campaign in a game when Farrell was without several regular starters through injury.

The loss, however, was Ireland’s fourth defeat by double-digits in the past 12 months and the side have now dropped to fifth in the world rankings, their lowest position since March 2022.

“I said during the week that whatever happens it has to stand to us because it’s another experience for a different enough group, with all the injuries,” said Farrell.

Despite Ireland’s struggles against the game’s biggest sides – they have lost seven of their past nine against France, South Africa, New Zealand and England – they have not been beaten by anyone other than that quartet since February 2021.

The side will, therefore, be expected to get back on track against Italy in Dublin on 14 February, but Farrell says whatever the result there needs to be a “response” to the France performance back at the Aviva Stadium.

“I think it was going to be challenging anyway,” he said.

“Italy are not the Italy of old. I think we all realise that. I think they’re a good team.

Thanks to their unusual Thursday start to the campaign, Ireland will have nine days to prepare for the visit of the Azzurri.

While the injury count was high coming into the tournament, Farrell felt his side came through their opener relatively unscathed despite “wounded pride, bangs and bruises”, but a fierce selection debate can still be expected.

Farrell rolled the dice to an extent against Les Bleus, dropping James Lowe in favour of Jacob Stockdale and giving Cian Prendergast an opportunity to start in the back row.

Given the nature of the result and the fact that those coming off the bench lifted the performance, admittedly with result already decided, there will be calls for even greater change, but Farrell says he will look at the “in-depth reality” of the game before making decisions.

“It’s obviously at the forefront of our mind, selection and how we get the best response for that,” he added.