‘Clunky’ performance leaves Farrell reasonably content

It was only when the Ireland coach was asked to share why it was that three rather than the more fashionable four warm-up games had been pencilled in to this month’s diary, that Andy Farrell seemed to be taken slightly off guard.

RIGHT FOR US: Ireland Head Coach Andy Farrell said that playing three pre-warm up games for the RWC is right for his side.

Ireland 33 Italy 17 

Andy Farrell cut a semi-contented figure late on Saturday night as he absorbed questions about the game just done and queries hoping to peel away the thinnest of layers into his thoughts about the potential make-up of his World Cup squad.