Andy Farrell exclusive: Ireland head coach talks fly-half candidates, Joe Schmidt influence and British and Irish Lions
Published 29/11/2024 at 19:41 GMT
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In a wide-ranging interview with TNT Sports, Andy Farrell discussed the fly-half position and talked up Australia coach Joe Schmidt's influence ahead of Ireland’s encounter with Australia on Saturday. The game will be Ireland's final test of the Autumn Nations Series and Farrell's last encounter before he temporarily steps aside to lead the British and Irish Lions for the first time.
Highlights: Eight-try Ireland hit top gear to rout Fiji in Dublin
Video credit: TNT Sports
Andy Farrell insists he doesn't want his fly-halves to fear making mistakes, while also discussing Joe Schmidt's influence in a wide-ranging interview ahead of Ireland’s encounter with Australia on Saturday.
Ireland take on Australia on Saturday in their final Autumn Nations Series test of the year, with the game live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Sam Prendergast has retained his place in the Ireland team for Saturday, preferred at fly-half to Jack Crowley and Ciaran Frawley.
Having made his debut as a second-half substitute in a win over Argentina earlier in November, Prendergast then earned his first Ireland start in a 52-17 victory against Fiji.
Ahead of the game, Ireland boss Farrell exclusively told TNT Sports he gives all three of his fly-halves the space to make mistakes, and stresses the significance of body language when playing at 10.
Farrell said: "They have to understand that they’re going to make mistakes. They’re able to make mistakes.
"The biggest thing that I would judge them on is that they're frightened of that or get in their own way.
"You’re the one that has to have the right body language to make sure that everyone's decisive in how you’re going to go about the game.
"There’s a lot of things other than just skill that has to go into all that, and it takes time to mould that."
Meanwhile, Saturday’s Test sees Australia coach Joe Schmidt return to Ireland, where he enjoyed so much success with Leinster and the national team.
Schmidt, who still has a house in Dublin, guided Ireland to three Six Nations titles, including the Grand Slam in 2018, during his six years in charge.
"I think Joe capped about 16 people [since being in charge of Australia] and never had the same side out," Farrell said. "Because he’s just trying to find out about his players so he's got an opinion.
"All of sudden, you start to bring the international-qualified players back into it, the quality grows, and their expectation because they understand Joe’s way, that grows as well."
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New Zealand assistant coach Joe Schmidt, left, and Ireland head coach Andy Farrell before the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final match between Ireland and New Zealand.
Image credit: Getty Images
Saturday will also be Farrell’s last Ireland game before temporarily stepping aside to lead the Lions for the first time in next summer's tour to Australia.
On preparing the Lions for next summer’s tour, he added: "The most exciting part for me is getting to deal with the best of the best.
"Hopefully in a selfish way it helps you to get better yourself as well."
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Highlights: Scotland ease past Australia to wrap up 2024 with successive wins
Video credit: TNT Sports
Stream Ireland v Australia, the final game of the 2024 Autumn Nations Series, live on discovery+
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