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As an English journalist began inquiring about Ireland’s tackling efficiency at the Stade de France, Andy Farrell swiftly interrupted with a firm retort. “I don’t need to look at the stats. I watched the game,” the Ireland coach asserted. The atmosphere at the post-match press conference was palpably tense and somewhat prickly.
Though the exact exchanges within the locker room remain undisclosed, Caelan Doris’s demeanor suggested that the feedback from Farrell was more of a stern rebuke than a consoling pat on the back.
Farrell had just witnessed his team being overwhelmed by a resurgent French side. It was a dismal evening marked by sobering statistics from a heavy 36-14 loss, Ireland’s most significant Six Nations defeat in 16 years. The French team executed 19 line breaks and outmaneuvered 41 defenders, while Ireland faltered with 38 missed tackles.
Curiously, Ireland remains ahead of France in the world rankings, a ranking that seems misleading given the evident gap in performance. Les Bleus are clearly in a different league, and South Africa has long since outpaced Ireland.
The most bizarre stat is that Ireland are ahead of France in the world rankings. Pay no heed, Les Bleus are miles ahead. South Africa left Ireland in the rearview mirror some time ago.
Cian Prendergast tackles France’s Antoine Dupont as Ireland captain Caelan Doris looks onÂ
New Zealand, for all their recent troubles, still had too much class for Ireland in Chicago. England are likely to prove that they are also way ahead of Ireland when these sides meet in Twickenham later this month.
Ireland have fallen behind the international heavyweights and the real worry is this team could slip even further down the Test rugby pecking order.
The general consensus before this championship was that Ireland would finish third. That is no guarantee now. Italy and Scotland will feel they are capable of going to Dublin and getting a result.
‘They’re on the ropes and everyone is coming after them,’ Donncha O’Callaghan, who was doing radio commentary for the BBC, said afterwards.
‘They might be hunted again (against Italy). They have to find answers because Six Nations rugby is ruthless and they need to stop the rot.’
Andy Farrell needs to find answers before Ireland face Italy
There were some positives from Thursday night’s debacle. The set–piece went well. The scrum was solid. Ireland had 16 lineouts on the night and lost just one.
There was no repeat of the frantic indiscipline from the autumn either as Ireland conceded a miserly six penalties.
But none of that mattered. They were outclassed all evening.
So many frontliners were off the pace. Dan Sheehan, Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne and Caelan Doris to name but a few.
And there are other systemic issues. Whatever about a lack of depth in key positions, it’s hard to escape the feeling that the majority of the top players in this country crave the safety of a structured game plan.
The French thrived in the chaotic, unstructured play. That’s where Louis Bielle–Biarrey and Co did most of the damage.
Only a handful of Irish players have similar levels of skill and vision. And most of them were born outside of this country. Players like Mack Hansen, James Lowe and Jamison Gibson–Park.
The other outliers are exciting talents such as Zac Ward, Joshua Kenny and Cormac Izuchukwu – off–the–cuff operators who took the scenic route to the pro game via the Sevens programme, a pathway which has since been wound up by the IRFU. Go figure.
That’s a long–term issue; Farrell will be focused on damage limitation in the short term. Getting a result against Italy is paramount. Don’t expect wholesale changes. The prospect of Ireland going to Twickenham winless would be positively alarming.
This is clearly a playing group which is low on confidence. A first–ever home defeat by the Azzurri in Dublin is not beyond the realms of possibility. That’s how far Ireland have sunk.
Farrell will resist calls to write off this championship, chuck in a clutch of youngsters and accelerate the rebuilding process ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
Baptiste Serin evades Jamison Gibson–Park during the Six Nations clash in Paris
It’s never been his way. And there are other factors to consider. There is a fair bit of external pressure to finish as high up the Six Nations standings as possible.
And even if Farrell wanted to do a drastic overhaul, does he have the resources? There are plenty of fringe players with potential – the Ward brothers, Kenny, Brian Gleeson, Dan Kelly, Jude Postlethwaite, Matthew Devine, Billy Bohan and Seán Jansen spring to mind. They are all untested at Test level, however.
They have potential, and will most likely get their chances, sooner rather than later. Especially if Farrell’s tried and trusted continue to deliver these abject performances.
The decline of this team is now undeniable. There have been red flags for some time, there are plenty of receipts. The 42–27 loss to Les Bleus in Dublin last year was no outlier. Farrell’s side lost 26–13 to New Zealand in November and were beaten 24–13 by South Africa a few weeks later. The 22–point deficit in Paris was worryingly on trend.
The real concern is when will this slump bottom out? As Ireland fall behind their big international rivals, they are being sized up by mid–table opposition.
The decline of this Ireland team is now undeniable
The Italians, Welsh and Scots have been tormented by Ireland for years. They will be sensing a glorious opportunity to redress the power balance in the coming weeks.
This feels like the beginning of an Irish rugby recession. Like any crash, be it economic or sporting, there are warning signs along the way.
This team reached a natural peak at the 2023 World Cup and it’s been in steady decline ever since.Â
After that tournament and a few weeks out from the 2024 Six Nations, Farrell stated that he didn’t believe in World Cup cycles, insisting the forthcoming championship was a continuation of this squad’s journey.Â
They’ve well and truly run out of road now. And the route back to the top looks treacherous.