It will likely be a number of months earlier than we all know whether or not or not Eire can obtain a Six Nations and World Cup double, however the method of Saturday’s 34-10 victory over Wales will a minimum of have strengthened Andy Farrell’s perception that his aspect are heading in the right direction.
As Eire gathered below the roof of the Principality Stadium for the Six Nations opener, there was a palpable sense of disquiet among the many travelling followers after information of Jamison Gibson-Park’s harm.
Already with out Robbie Henshaw and Tadhg Furlong, there have been ideas that the championship favourites would battle to seek out their tempo with out Gibson-Park, a key determine in Eire’s rise below Farrell.
However whereas Eleventh-hour harm worries – Cian Healy was one other late withdrawal – absolutely made for a busy Saturday morning for Farrell and his squad within the Welsh capital, Eire demonstrated their resilience throughout a barnstorming first-half displaying that kick-started a giant 12 months for Irish rugby.
Certainly, the 2023 Six Nations was lower than 10 minutes outdated when Farrell’s aspect discovered themselves 14-0 up because of early Caelan Doris and James Ryan tries.
And after James Lowe’s 86-metre intercept rating helped set up a 27-3 half-time cushion, Eire appeared poised to situation an emphatic assertion on the earliest potential juncture.
“I assumed our composure within the first half was nice and I assumed we have been fairly medical in taking our possibilities,” stated Farrell.
“Our defence at occasions was going after them but it surely was letting them play the sport they wish to play they usually performed fairly expansive to be honest to them they usually appeared dynamic and robust.
“However our scramble defence was excellent, particularly within the first half and on our personal line.”
Nonetheless, after watching Eire dominate the primary half, returning Wales boss Warren Gatland provoked a powerful response from his aspect as Liam Williams crashed over 5 minutes after the restart to reignite hopes of an unlikely comeback.
After that, Eire discovered themselves on the again foot as their penalty depend rose.
Within the build-up, Farrell had spoken about eager to see his aspect’s mentality put below the microscope, and it appeared as if he was getting his want.
Happily for him, Wales did not take their possibilities, and having absorbed stress from their hosts, Eire closed out their largest win in Cardiff since 2001 with Josh van der Flier’s bonus-point clinching rating.
“The primary 20 minutes of the second half weren’t nice,” admitted Farrell.
“A variety of it was our personal downfall relating to how we performed, our self-discipline and many others. However how we got here out of that, confirmed some good resilience and saved taking part in proper to the tip.
“We may have had one or two extra and that was fairly pleasing.”
Farrell has now masterminded 10 wins in Eire’s final 12 Checks stretching again to the beginning of final 12 months’s Six Nations, together with defeats of England, New Zealand and South Africa.
And he stated he was happy with how his gamers caught collectively for the primary win of 2023 in one of the intimidating atmospheres in worldwide rugby on Saturday.
“We received what we deserved on the finish of the day,” stated Farrell, who had relished the prospect of his aspect taking part in below the closed roof.
“It is a powerful place to return and our historical past says precisely that (this was Eire’s first Six Nations win in Cardiff since 2013), however the way in which we galvanised collectively as a gaggle is a testomony to how we go about our work in preparation for this Take a look at match.
“If you happen to’d given us a bonus-point win right here in the beginning of the competitors, we would in all probability have snatched your hand off.
“However on the identical time, the very best factor about it’s that there’s lots to do and repair and get higher with, so it isn’t a foul place to be.”
‘I do not suppose I’ve ever been as nervous earlier than a recreation’
Whereas Farrell was with out Gibson-Park, Furlong, Healy and centre Robbie Henshaw – who stays out with a wrist harm – he was capable of name upon Johnny Sexton, who marked the beginning of his 14th Six Nations marketing campaign by kicking three conversions and two penalties.
Sexton, 37, had not performed since Leinster’s New Yr’s Day win over Connacht due to a cheekbone fracture and admitted that the pre-game butterflies in his abdomen have been as prevalent as they’ve ever been.
“I do not suppose I’ve ever been as nervous earlier than a recreation,” the fly-half revealed.
“For plenty of causes, however the primary one was I might forgotten what it was prefer to construct as much as a recreation. I had one recreation on New Yr’s Day because the South Africa Take a look at and clearly I received injured.
“I’ve educated laborious. I made errors in coaching however if you wish to practice effectively and make these errors, hopefully you get a couple of much less on Saturday.”
Sexton left the sport early having suffered a lifeless leg and subsequently handed a head harm evaluation (HIA), clearing the Eire captain to play in subsequent week’s massively anticipated assembly with champions France in Dublin.
And Sexton clearly recognises the potential significance of Saturday’s fixture between the world’s high two sides.
“It is all all the way down to subsequent week,” stated Sexton, who missed final 12 months’s defeat in Paris with a hamstring situation.
“That is the fantastic thing about the competitors, all 5 video games are powerful – and none more durable than subsequent week. The group that hasn’t been overwhelmed for a 12 months coming.
“We’re up in opposition to it. We went over to the Stade de France final 12 months, it was in all probability the very best environment I’ve seen.
“I am positive our Irish followers will placed on one thing much like that.”