Farrell's juggling act puts Ireland where they want to be

Farrell can bring 33 players to the World Cup later this year and he has used 39 in those nine games against the world’s top teams going back to their evisceration of Italy in Dublin last February.

BALANCING ASSETS: Ireland head coach Andy Farrell.

Paul O’Connell spoke to Sam Warburton on the Welshman’s ‘Captains’ podcast last month and it made for a quick and breezy 49 minutes as he dropped little nuggets about his days wearing the armband with Munster, Ireland and the British and Irish Lions.

SIX NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP

Your home for the latest news, views and analysis of this year's Six Nations Championship from our award winning sports team.

SIX NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP

Your home for the latest news, views and analysis of this year's Six Nations Championship from our award winning sports team.