JEREMY GUSCOTT
OUTSPOKEN AND UNMISSABLE... EVERY WEEK
WAS the speed of the Irish recovery after the World Cup surprising?
No, because I don’t call it a recovery. They showed against France in the Six Nations opener in Marseille last week just how high their standards now are.
On any other day, the Irish might have beaten New Zealand in that 2023 World Cup quarter-final, and it is why, in the last six matches between the two teams, they are level at three wins each.
Under Andy Farrell they are in this rich vein of form and, despite World Cups regularly being big downers for the Irish, this was different. You can see the honesty of the Irish players in the way they have bounced back after being gutted, with all expectations blown away, because they have looked at it, and accepted that they didn’t throw it away, but just got beaten by the finest margin.
In those circumstances you accept that the better team on the day beat you, and then close that chapter and embark on your new mission.
In Ireland’s case, it is to achieve fulfilment and a happy ending from 2024 through to 2027, and what a start they made against the French. Their 38-17 victory was so complete, and doing it away from home against quality opposition is what makes it so impressive.
The Irish have lost a huge personality in Johnny Sexton, but what we have seen is a pattern of play where, when a player of that stature moves out of the team, and a lesser-known fly-half like Jack Crowley replaces him, there is no change. It’s the same Ireland.
It’s almost as if the Irish are setting their own challenge in this Six Nations, because the main competition was from France – and because you cannot imagine there being any complacency with Farrell as coach even though the rest of the teams do not pose as a big a threat.
The main danger that faces Ireland, like most teams, is if they lose four experienced players together at the end of a season through injury, loss of form, or retirement. You can lose one or two players, but overall you need the band to stay together.
However, the Irish seem to have a steady production line of talent coming through from the U20s, so I don’t see this Irish dynasty falling apart.
Their confidence is reflected in the six changes from France that Farrell has made for today’s second round match against Italy in Dublin. He has rested a few of his veterans, including skipper Peter O’Mahony, and has made Caelan Doris captain, while making bench and squad rotations to reshape the starting 15 to face Italy.
It’s the only way you find out whether players can rise to the occasion inTest rugby, although it’s a balancing act. It’s an opportunity to give players a rest, but most players
