Donal Lenihan: Andy Farrell has perfect opportunity to blood Ireland’s next generation

Australia and New Zealand flew out the blocks 10 days ago as international rugby resumed. The big question now is, will Ireland be able to do likewise next Saturday?

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell at the squad's training in Blanchardstown yesterday. With six games in seven weeks, he must now use this extended international window productively, says Donal Lenihan. Picture: INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Given everything else that’s going on at present, it was no surprise when the return of international rugby appeared to go almost unnoticed 10 days ago with the renewal of hostilities between two great trans-Tasman rivals.

A new coaching broom was launched down under when Ian Foster and Dave Rennie presided over New Zealand and Australia for the first time as new head coaches in the first of a four-Test Bledisloe Cup series to be played out between now and December.