Andy Farrell: Ireland are ready for 'the big boy stuff'

READY TO GO: Head coach Andy Farrell during an Ireland training session at Stade Omnisports des Fauvettes in Domont. Pic: INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Andy Farrell is relishing “the big boy stuff” of the World Cup knockout stages after naming an unchanged Ireland team to face New Zealand in Saturday night’s quarter-final showdown at Stade de France.

Irish supporters were able to breathe a sigh of relief after in-form wings Mack Hansen and James Lowe were both passed fit to face the All Blacks having sustained injuries in last Saturday’s Pool B victory over Scotland, a victory which secured Ireland’s progress to the last eight and set up a rematch of the 2019 quarter, which New Zealand won 46-14 in Tokyo.

Lock James Ryan, however, is not able to resume his bench role for Ireland after failing to recover from the wrist injury he suffered against the Scots.

Farrell revealed his matchday 23 after training at the team’s Stade des Fauvettes base north of Paris on Wednesday ahead of Ireland’s bid for a historic first semi-final appearance and a world record-equalling 18th consecutive men’s tier one Test victory.

Left wing Lowe has overcome a first-half eye injury against the Scots, while right wing Hansen has recovered from the calf problem he picked up shortly after completing a successful Head Injury Assessment in that same opening period.

Ryan’s replacements’ berth goes to Joe McCarthy while the number 23 jersey is handed to utility back Jimmy O’Brien, now in line for a World Cup debut at Stade de France. Previously unused in this tournament, O’Brien replaces centre Stuart McCloskey as the outside back replacement.

Asked if the mood in the camp had changed following the 36-14 victory that secured a place in the last eight last Saturday night, the head coach said: “Well, we was in it last week, so it’s the same mood, it's the big boy stuff.

“It's the business end of the competition and when you get to those points within a competition then you draw hopefully on good experiences that you've had and the experiences that we've put ourselves under in the last three or four years are there were for moments like this.

“We've got a very experienced group that's been through a lot and learning to deal with weeks like last week and this week is something that we've got pretty good at so we draw on those experiences.” 

Farrell said injured backs Keith Earls and Robbie Henshaw had not recovered from their respective hamstring problems in time for selection this weekend but he was optimistic both they and second row Ryan would be ready for a semi-final seven days later if Ireland overcame the All Blacks.

“First, people have always got injuries and bangs and knocks, and the start of the week is always ‘is this going to turn around?’ Some turnaround a lot quicker than you would expect etc. That’s just rugby and a general week.

“So, it is what it is and then as far as Keith Earls is concerned, it was a little too quick for him this week, so he’ll get back to the rehab. We’re very confident that if we push on through in the competition that he’ll be fit for next week.

“It was exactly the same with Robbie Henshaw, probably a little bit too soon. They’re progressing through, both of them, and James Ryan is out with a wrist injury that is being sorted. We expect him to also be fit for next week if we’re able to get that far.” 

Hansen, though, was given a clean bill of health.

“He obviously had a few things to do at the beginning of the week,” the head coach said, “he’s coming good and everyone is very confident that he’s going to be fine for the game - no problems.” 

The All Blacks are scheduled to name their team in eastern Paris at 6pm Irish time on Thursday evening with New Zealand media members present focused on Ireland’s view of their team having won a Test series there in the summer of 2022, their 2-1 victory making it three wins from four meetings since that 2019 quarter-final loss.

Farrell was, however, firmly focused on the immediate future, not the rear-view mirror.

“I don’t think we think too much about it. It’s just about the here and now. What’s gone on in the past is irrelevant to us this week. We’re just trying to get better as a team and so are they, and roll on in the competition.

“I suppose what would be at the forefront, hopefully, of both teams is the mutual respect of where both teams are sitting right now, but at the same time the competition is where it should be for a quarter-final, I’m sure about that.”