Regeneration project means fans will have to endure 'a little bit of pain' says Farrell

If nothing else, Farrell’s selection highlights that no player is ever untouchable, with van der Flier the most prominent fall guy and the head coach insisting he is not rotating with a trip to face England at Twickenham to follow seven days later

REBUILD: Head coach Andy Farrell during an Ireland Rugby media conference at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

The presence of former Ireland heroes Keith Earls and Cian Healy in camp this week at Andy Farrell’s invitation was a timely reminder of the national side’s recent highs at Test rugby’s top table.

Which made the head coach’s decision to take the plunge with a new-look team for this Saturday’s home Guinness Six Nations clash with Italy all the more poignant.