Ireland boss Andy Farrell coy on prospect of changes for Italy clash

Credit for that lies in part with the Irishmen who re-energised their team, which had been overrun before half-time, trailing 17-0 at the break.

Andy Farrell lauded the impact of his bench for providing a late spark at Twickenham but remained guarded about the chances of those replacements being promoted to the starting line-up next time out.

Sunday’s 24-12 loss to England may have ended Ireland’s Triple Crown shot and Grand Slam ambitions as well as bringing Eddie Jones’s side back into the title mix but the home team’s failure to grab a four-try bonus point and the visitors’ late try through Andrew Porter could be telling factors in the destination of the Guinness Six Nations trophy.