Andy Farrell not putting a name on Ireland's Six Nations ambitions

HIGH EXPECTATIONS: Ireland head coach Andy Farrell. Pic: INPHO/Billy Stickland

Another year, another Guinness Six Nations campaign and the same response from Andy Farrell when asked what will represent a good championship for Ireland in 2023. As usual, when the question came at the annual media bun fight on Monday to launch “Rugby’s Greatest Championship”, the answer did not give mention of any titles or grand ambitions.

Ireland kick off this season’s tournament and this World Cup year in Cardiff against Warren Gatland’s Wales a week on Saturday with expectations high. Yet the head coach who last year delivered the Triple Crown, a series win against the All Blacks in New Zealand, and a clean sweep in the November Tests to confirm his team’s status as World Rugby’s number one-ranked nation was keeping his players’ feet firmly grounded.