Farrell warns Ireland will need more composure

Ireland failed to maintain cohesion and balance when their opponents were reduced to 13 men

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell during the Guinness Six Nations match at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin. Picture date: Sunday February 27, 2022.

Andy Farrell will demand greater composure than his Ireland players showed against 13-man Italy if his title-chasing side are to get the better of England at Twickenham on March 12.

The Ireland head coach saw his team run in nine tries in a 57-6 rout of the Italians at Aviva Stadium yesterday to keep the pressure on unbeaten Guinness Six Nations leaders France, but failed to maintain their cohesion and balance when their opponents were reduced to 13 men by the sending off of replacement hooker Epalahame Faiva on 20 minutes and then losing a backline player to bring a front-row replacement on while having to withdraw another forward under the Laws of the game as a result of the red card.