South Africa win gives Andy Farrell plenty of wriggle room

Andy Farrell can go about his business this next two weeks secure in the knowledge that he can point to the November opener regardless of what happens next against Fiji and Australia

WRIGGLE ROOM: Ireland head coach Andy Farrell ahead of the Autumn International match at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin. Pic: PA

And breathe… Last Saturday’s defeat of the Springboks hasn’t just put to bed the notion that this Ireland team can’t get it done against the biggest and baddest out there. It allows Andy Farrell to go about his business this next two weeks secure in the knowledge that he can point to the November opener regardless of what happens next.

Momentum isn’t to be taken for granted. See to Fiji and Australia over the course of the next two Saturdays and it would make for an Olympic-class springboard from which to launch into the 2023 Six Nations and the World Cup that lies in wait beyond the boundaries of next summer.