Farrell still getting the very best out of his Ireland veterans

Jamison Gibson-Park of Ireland, with his 50th cap. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Andy Farrell’s man-management skills have long been acknowledged but Ireland’s head coach has excelled himself during this Guinness Six Nations campaign with his ability to wrangle the very best out of his oldest stagers.

James Lowe, Josh van der Flier and Jamison Gibson-Park, thirtysomethings all, have all been given the Farrell treatment over the past six weeks and bounced back with excellent performances. 

And the Ireland boss may well pull off another masterstroke with the selection of Bundee Aki on the bench to face Scotland at Aviva Stadium in Saturday’s Triple Crown decider.

Lowe, 33, was left out of Ireland’s opening matchday squad against France in week one with Farrell opting to reward Jacob Stockdale for strong Ulster form with a start on the left wing but in the wake of a heavy defeat in Paris, the boss got the best out of his veteran number 11 in the following week’s home victory over Italy.

Gibson-Park was benched for that Italian clash in round two, as Craig Casey was handed a run at scrum-half, but his impact off the bench at the Aviva was transformational for his team’s fortunes, himself and fellow replacement Jack Crowley sparking their team back to life as they edged the contest 20-13. 

A week later, Gibson-Park was back in the starting line-up and two days short of his 34th birthday produced perhaps the best performance of any player in this season’s championship as he inspired Ireland to a record 42-21 away defeat of England on a milestone day at Twickenham.

A month short of his 33rd birthday, van der Flier is by no means the oldest of Farrell’s senior citizens but he also represents a case in point, omitted from the 23 after the French game but returning with a vengeance in the victory over the English.

A bench role followed for the openside flanker as he picked up his 78th cap as a replacement against Wales in round four. 

A former World Rugby Men’s Player of the Year forced to bide his time as the less experienced Nick Timoney is handed the jersey he has graced for a decade and yet speaking this week, van der Flier epitomised the ideal squad man.

“I'd always want to start every game,” van der Flier said. “That's kind of the way you always want to do it, but obviously for the team and for development of the team… From my perspective … I don't mind being on the bench. It's a different role to starting but it drives you on as well.” 

It is a testament to Farrell’s handling of his most experienced players that they see the bigger picture and the direction of travel their team is on, even if it comes at a personal expense.

Aki is the oldest of them with three weeks to his 36th birthday. During the course of the four-week suspension for his actions against match officials after a URC game with Connacht against Leinster in January, he has seen Stuart McCloskey, no spring chicken himself at 33, make the inside centre berth his own.

Aki was back in camp and available for the Wales game but left to kick his heels last weekend as McCloskey started with Tom Farrell the outside backs replacement, yet Andy Farrell appears to have handled his player immaculately and is about to unleash the human embodiment of a caged tiger off the bench against Scotland.

A year ago, Aki performed a similar role as he entered the fray in Cardiff following Garry Ringrose’s 20-minute red, the sight of the bristling replacement about to be deployed on the big screen lifting the travelling support inside the Principality Stadium and boosting a rearguard effort as Ireland eked out a victory against spirited Welsh side.

Farrell suspects a similar impact on Saturday.

“When it comes to big games, there’s a twinkle in some people’s eyes, you just know he’s going to turn up,” he said of Aki. “Been there and done that as far as big weeks and preparation and all of that. And on top of that, he’s been pretty good for us coming off the bench as far as energy is concerned. I’m sure he’ll bring more of that on Saturday.”