Andy Farrell is truly a man of resilience and high emotional intelligence. Quelling the shadows of a dismal Twickenham on a Saturday evening, Farrell aimed to implant the resolve in his men and anyone listening that victory can still triumph in the forthcoming Six Nations title match against Scotland at the Aviva Stadium, the following weekend. Although it seemed a challenging proposal, the hope was very much real.
Historic consecutive Grand Slams were beckoning, and with less than two minutes to spare in Saturday’s match at Twickenham, Ireland was on the precipice of securing the title and the prospect of yet another Grand Slam.
While there will be many regrets, especially about their decision-making in the final stages of the game, which led to Marcus Smith’s match-winning drop goal, the enormous impact of narrowly losing to England 23-22 still left the possibility of clinching the title on home turf. That said, it all felt slightly less exhilarating than it could have been.
Farrell firmly rebutted any suggestion of an ‘anti-climax’. “How many times have we won the Six Nations?” He questioned. The answer being 15 – one more than Scotland, but fewer than France (18), Wales (28), and England (29). Hence, it’s definitely not a minor achievement. “Quite simply, everyone wishes to be in our position, and it’s crucial we embrace the challenges that lay ahead,” he pointed out.
Addressing the supporters, Farrell confidently asserted he has no doubts about their unwavering support. “Everyone will be in high spirits this Paddy’s weekend. Winning a Six Nations title doesn’t happen every day. It could’ve been better with a Grand Slam, but those are exceptionally difficult to achieve. Winning a Six Nations is challenging enough, as anyone can testify,” he noted.
But before they can focus on the future, there’ll be a rigorous analysis of the game. Emphasizing the final moments of the match, he noted how James Lowe’s kick landed just five metres into England’s half. Afterward, Conor Murray chose to find touch, but only got as far as the Irish 10 metre line. This left England with a significant opportunity, eventually resulting in a successful second penalty drop goal.
Farrell pointed out that the shortfall and misplaced kicks ended up making significant impacts on the game’s result, commenting on the Lowe kick in particular. He also expressed his conviction that England fully deserved their victory. Their performance was exemplary, and it would have been quite unfair if they hadn’t been the ones to secure the win.
The game didn’t go according to plan – the injuries sustained by Calvin Nash and his subsequent substitute Frawley early in the game highlighted the inherent risks in choosing a 6-2 split. These injuries forced the team to reshuffle, with Frawley first playing right-wing and then Hugo Keenan moving into that position, where he wasn’t as effective as he generally is as a full-back.
When Keenan was relocated back upon Frawley stepping back, one of Ireland’s stand-out performers, Jamison Gibson-Park, was moved to the wing. He excelled in the role, making several impressive plays, including a successful pass for James Lowe’s second try. The reshuffle, however, meant that Ireland had used all their back-up options just 30 minutes into the game, with the Bomb Squad only entering into the fray after an hour had elapsed.
Farrell brushed off the outcome as part of the unpredictable nature of rugby. Opting for a 5/3 bench could result in a shortage of back-up options. Despite the setbacks brought on by Calvin’s line departure and the subsequent try, as well as Frawley’s situation, Farrell maintained that these incidents aren’t what ultimately caused their loss in the game.
In regards to Frawley and Nash, Farrell commented that, although they were feeling alright, they were still undergoing necessary procedures. As a result, it seems increasingly plausible that neither will be able to participate in the forthcoming clash against Scotland, leaving Garry Ringrose and Jordan Larmour as possible right wing roles.
During a particularly intense interaction at the finish of the first interval with Steve Borthwick, Farrell appeared impassioned and irritated. The discussion was prolonged as they moved towards the changing rooms through the tunnel.
It remains uncertain if Farrell’s irritation was triggered by a suspected head hit on Tadhg Furlong by Ellis Genge. Occurring around the 24th minute, the event evaded detection by TMO Ben Whitehouse and television replays. It remains uncertain if the English forward will face any repercussions.
Downplaying the altercation, both former Saracens players and Lions coaching colleagues disregarded it. A nonchalant Farrell stated, “What would you like me to say?” Insisting the argument was unimportant. He added, “I was simply conversing with him. Steve and I have a great relationship. Attempting to make a spectacle of it is pointless. There’s no ill feeling here.”