With Boks still to be ticked, Farrell’s Ireland look to grow again

The head coach's argument that there has never been a better time to wear the green jersey may be tested by the most physical team in the game

GOOD TIMES: Ireland players, from left, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan, Peter O’Mahony and captain Jonathan Sexton, during a team photograph before their captain's run at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

This may well be a moment that Andy Farrell described as “living properly” as Ireland face South Africa in Dublin on Saturday evening but he will want clear-thinking and level heads from his players if they are to down the world champions and continue their march towards next year’s World Cup.

It was a great quote, reported in Friday's Irish Examiner, from the Ireland head coach as he discussed his selection for this sold-out clash at Aviva Stadium and said there was no better time to be an Irish rugby player. However that was a team he was then forced to amend with the withdrawal of midfield linchpin Robbie Henshaw due to a hamstring issue and the promotion of Stuart McCloskey to inside centre.