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.