Andy Farrell's Twickenham to-do list

BENCH IMPACT: Ireland’s Jack Conan and Ryan Baird celebrate. Pic: Ben Brady, Inpho

Bench selection

The Ireland boss has twice deployed a six-two split between forwards and backs replacement, against France in round one and Wales on Saturday. On both occasions, the forwards sprung from the bench made big impacts and against the Welsh, they helped to turn around a difficult third quarter to help secure a strong last 20 minutes which secured a try bonus point.

Farrell went back to a five-three split for the Italy game and said he would keep an open mind over his options for the England game in London on March 9, his decision governed by the personnel needs at the time of selection.

“It’s always based on whether they’re going to add to the performance,” he said. “You look at Tadhg (Furlong) has not played minutes, Pete’s not played many minutes, so all these type of things add up to your decision making.

“Jack Conan is playing on the bench and I know he started last time against Italy, but he is in tremendous form, so it’s not as though being on the bench for us any more is about starters and substitutions that didn’t make the starting team. They’re the guys that added to the performance.”

Lineout fixes

After some faultless execution across the first two rounds to atone for some crucial World Cup stutters, Ireland’s lineout problems returned against Wales and Farrell signalled he and forwards coach Paul O’Connell will be poring over the issues which spoiled a previously perfect record of 26 successful throws, 13 each against France and Italy.

“We’ll have to look at a few bits. There was an underthrow and it looked like a couple of overthrows and I don’t know with the calling, how that had its impact on all of that.

“So look, that’s sport isn’t it, it certainly is rugby. Two games where we’re 100% and a game of 80 minutes now to concentrate the mind again and that’s how we push on.

“We find a way and don’t try and complicate it too much.”

Discipline

Ireland’s disciplinary record under the current management has been exemplary but it let them down in the third quarter against Wales. 

Having conceded just four penalties in the first half, the Irish tally jumped to 10 in the next 13 minutes with Tadhg Beirne earning a yellow card as Wales were awarded a 43rd-minute penalty try for a maul offence.

Replacement lock James Ryan also went to the sin bin in the last five minutes as Ireland overtook Wales in the penalty count to finish 13-12.

Double figures in that department is not conducive to Test wins and the Six Nations leaders will need to tighten up heading to Twickenham.