Finlay Bealham: 'Some people are different in their own individual ways'

Andy Farrell has allowed the Irish players to be themselves so that they can bring their best to the table and his policy still continues in his abscence. 

INDIVIDUALITY: Andy Farrell's openness policy allowes players to be their authentic self so they can play at their best. Picture:  ©INPHO/Andrew Conan

For anyone concerned that Ireland’s effectiveness as a Guinness Six Nations title contender is diminished in the absence of Andy Farrell, Finlay Bealham’s account of life in camp is instructive.

Farrell’s involvement in the 2025 championship will be strictly neutral given he has a British & Irish Lions squad to select from the cream of the four contributing nations but in truth, his impact on the Irish squad has been such that his actual presence among them is no longer essential, or so it would appear.