Fresh November blood bolsters Farrell's mission to avoid mistakes of 2019

Six uncapped players included in Ireland's coach's squad for upcoming Tests a signal that there will be no sleepwalking towards next year's World Cup

JUGGLING HIS PRIORITIES: Head coach Andy Farrell has named a number of rookies among his selection for next month's Test window. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

If anyone feared Ireland could be in danger of sleepwalking nonchalantly into next year’s Rugby World Cup after a season of stunning success, Andy Farrell’s squad selection for this November’s Tests should have provided plenty of reassurance.

Next month’s Bank of Ireland Nations Series, when world champions South Africa, Fiji and Australia will pitch up at Aviva Stadium, is looming large. The three Tests present the opportunity for the head coach to reiterate the mission statement upgraded in New Zealand three months ago in the wake of his side’s ground-breaking series win over the All Blacks that the historic victory should not represent a high point for this Ireland team but another step along the journey towards fulfilling its true potential at a World Cup.