Ireland Head Coach Andy Farrell has dismissed talk of his team being "underdone" ahead of their autumn Test opener against the All Blacks in Chicago. Six players in Farrell's line-up have played just once this season, while number eight Jack Conan will make his first appearance since starting all three Tests for the British and Irish Lions over the summer.
However, Farrell insists that if you're in a good place mentally, physically the body will follow. "It's irrelevant," he said. "You guys have talked about the performances of some of the guys in the big game, Leinster v Munster, some of them hit the ground running. They're mentally prepared to give the best of themselves."
Farrell has beaten New Zealand three times as Ireland coach, but has lost the past two; the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final and last year's November Test in Dublin. He admits that he failed to get his team "to come to the party" 12 months ago, resulting in a flat performance that led to their first home defeat since 2021.
The Ireland coach is keen to see an improvement from his team this weekend, saying: "We've got to be better than what we were last year and come to the party a little bit more to keep that rivalry going." Farrell praises the development of Dan Sheehan as captain for the side, describing him as calm, controlled, and considered. He also expresses praise for young prop Paddy McCarthy, who has been on his radar since impressing in a training session against the first team in 2023.
With Caelan Doris starting on the bench after recovering from shoulder surgery, Farrell says that Sheehan will be "so calm, controlled, and considered" as captain. He believes that this gives confidence throughout the squad, not just to the players but also to the coaches.
However, Farrell insists that if you're in a good place mentally, physically the body will follow. "It's irrelevant," he said. "You guys have talked about the performances of some of the guys in the big game, Leinster v Munster, some of them hit the ground running. They're mentally prepared to give the best of themselves."
Farrell has beaten New Zealand three times as Ireland coach, but has lost the past two; the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final and last year's November Test in Dublin. He admits that he failed to get his team "to come to the party" 12 months ago, resulting in a flat performance that led to their first home defeat since 2021.
The Ireland coach is keen to see an improvement from his team this weekend, saying: "We've got to be better than what we were last year and come to the party a little bit more to keep that rivalry going." Farrell praises the development of Dan Sheehan as captain for the side, describing him as calm, controlled, and considered. He also expresses praise for young prop Paddy McCarthy, who has been on his radar since impressing in a training session against the first team in 2023.
With Caelan Doris starting on the bench after recovering from shoulder surgery, Farrell says that Sheehan will be "so calm, controlled, and considered" as captain. He believes that this gives confidence throughout the squad, not just to the players but also to the coaches.
, I mean, they've had a pretty shaky season so far. Six players making their first appearance since the summer and all... it doesn't exactly fill me with confidence 
. But at the same time, I love how Andy Farrell is keeping it real - mental preparation over physical conditioning, that's a fresh take on things 
. And I'm loving the development of Dan Sheehan as captain, he seems like a total rockstar 
, calm and all that. Just hoping they can bring their A-game to Chicago this weekend 
️. Would be awesome if they could finally get back on track 
so like aaron kane is gonna come back and score some goals right? i was thinking maybe he should wear a number 12 jersey instead of number 10 idk if that would make a diff but idk how much of a impact it would have 
... wait, no way! They've got some top young talent like Paddy McCarthy and Dan Sheehan, so they should be totally fine 
. And Caelan Doris is starting on the bench, not sure if he's ready for this level of competition 
.
especially wit all them newbies comin in! 
but seriously, farrell's rite - if u r mental & physicaly fit, it dont matter wot ur last perf was like 
let's jus see how they do this wkend 
Ireland is gonna crush those All Blacks 
! Farrel's got a solid squad lined up 
! It's not about how many games they've played this season, it's all about being in the right mindset 
. Sheehan as captain is gonna bring so much calmness 
! I'm low-key excited