Andy Farrell thrilled with Ireland's composure when it mattered most

'They were calm at half-time. They knew exactly what to do. They knew not to get carried away. They knew how to control the game'

Mon, 11 Jul, 2022 - 01:00

Simon Lewis, Wellington

Andy Farrell has never been shy about his objectives for this tour to New Zealand as a pivotal exercise in preparing his fast-developing Ireland squad for next year’s World Cup in France.

Before the 70-strong travelling party left Dublin for the toughest rugby destination of them all, the head coach had made it known he wanted to see what the management, support staff and 40 players were made of and his intention to put them all under intense pressure with five games of the highest intensity in an 18-day period.