Farrell’s chance to gauge how much Ireland have to do

Felipe Contepomi’s Pumas are potential quarter-final opponents for Ireland in Melbourne, 50 weeks hence.

Kicking Coach Jonathan Sexton and Head Coach Andy Farrell. Pic ©INPHO/Ben Brady

With the 2027 World Cup now so clearly occupying the mind of Andy Farrell, this month’s Nations Championship campaign offers him an ideal opportunity to assess just how much improvement his Ireland squad will have to make before over the next 11 months.

What’s more, Friday night’s visit of Argentina to Dublin presents a welcome jump-off point for the head coach to begin honing his player pool down to the 33 men he will travel with to Australia next autumn.