Ireland working on ‘inconsistent’ attack – Goodman

Ireland assistant coach Andrew Goodman said his side have been working hard on addressing their “inconsistent” attack before Saturday’s Test against Australia.

Following on from a defeat by the All Blacks, Ireland flattered to deceive and required three late tries to finally see off a stubborn Japan side 41-10 at the Aviva last weekend.

With two huge games against the Wallabies and world champions South Africa in the next two weeks, Goodman says Ireland want to replicate the free-flowing rugby exhibited for Jack Crowley’s opening try against Japan on a more consistent basis.

“It’s been inconsistent in the last two weeks,” Goodman said about the attack.

“When you look at Crowley’s try at the start of the game and the phases put together and bodies at the line, people running proper intent, I thought that is where we want to be as a team.

Andy Farrell will have a number of selection dilemmas for Saturday’s game in Dublin, with who will play full-back one of those.

Jamie Osborne, who played that role against the All Blacks and Japan, is out with a shoulder injury, with British and Irish Lion Mack Hansen called into the side and in contention to play after completing full training on Tuesday.

Goodman believes whoever is asked to fill the role will perform as he feels Ireland’s depth in that position is strong.

“We have some great options,” the New Zealander added.

“It’s a shame with Jamie and the progress he has been making, playing consistently at 15, he is such a talented lad with a big future.

“You look at Jacob Stockdale he has had games there, bits and pieces with Ulster and has played really well, Jimmy O’Brien and we have Mack back, they’re all training hard and Frawls [Ciaran Frawley] has played there. It’s great for us to try options out there.”

While Goodman talked about how high standards have been in training for Ireland this autumn, he acknowledged that it “has to start showing” in Test match environments as they look for a complete 80-minute display.

“There have been some good moments, but as a team we have talked about needing to transfer that into Saturday.