Ireland stocktake: Andy Farrell's drive to raise standards continues unabated

Ireland have reached new heights with an exciting all-court game, but peak is some way off

PULLING TOGETHER: Dan Sheehan of Ireland at the back of a maul during the Bank of Ireland Nations Series match between Ireland and Australia at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Andy Farrell leads a delegation of Ireland and IRFU management to France this week as preparations continue towards providing the ideal environment for his squad at next year’s World Cup.

It is the sort of reconnaissance trip commonplace in modern professional sport that goes on behind the scenes 10 months out from a major tournament, but the head coach will embark on the mission to Ireland’s World Cup base in the Loire Valley city of Tours knowing his team are also heading in the right direction on the pitch.