Farrell freshens it up in Ireland's window of opportunity

There is an awareness on Andy Farrell’s part that reaching the heights between the World Cups rather than at the tournament itself is a cycle to be broken.

Paddy McCarthy and Head Coach Andy Farrell. Pic: ©INPHO/Ben Brady

There’s a lot to like about Andy Farrell’s Ireland personnel to face Australia at Aviva Stadium on Saturday. The visit of a Southern Hemisphere team in the hands of Joe Schmidt is not usually the time to roll the dice with selection, particularly when the head coach is still searching for a definitive performance of the November Test window, yet there is sufficient fresh blood in his matchday 23 to suggest he is not as conservative as his critics would have us believe.

The selection of Mack Hansen at full-back for his first Test start in the number 15 jersey brings x-factor to the Ireland backline when safer options were available as stand-ins for the injured Hugo Keenan and Jamie Osborne. The return of Stuart McCloskey at inside centre is further recognition of early season good form and a vindication of the Ulsterman’s selection to face New Zealand a fortnight ago in South Africa as squad veteran Bundee Aki still waits for a first Test start of the year in midfield.