Andy Farrell wants Ireland 'staying in the moment'

Andy Farrell would have happily sacrificed a heavier deficit in the points difference column in exchange for a victory over Japan but if Ireland can return to form this Saturday it will have meant the lessons of that shock defeat have been learned.

On the face of it, Ireland’s total of 22 points conceded in three games at the World Cup so far trails only England’s tally of 20 heading into the final weekend of pool games and is matched only by New Zealand. That should be music to the ears of defence coach Farrell, Ireland’s head coach in waiting as Joe Schmidt enters his final lap after nearly seven years at the helm.