The Andy Farrell factor can now be of benefit to Ireland
After two years at the top of the European rugby pyramid, Ireland have been forced to regroup after a very demanding period when resources were pushed to the limit. In adversity and with the pressure mounting after a winless opening three games, the back-to -back champions regrouped — admittedly against opposition of lesser quality — to deliver a morale-boosting finish to the championship.
Joe Schmidt is extremely good at achieving his goals, even if this was one that he hoped to surpass. Predicting a mid-table finish amid the clamour for a record third consecutive Six Nations on the bounce wasn’t, you sense, put out there as a means of dampening expectations. It was a realistic assessment of where his side stood shorn of some key individuals and, of even more importance, proven leaders.
