Bernard Jackman: Why ‘concerning’ Leinster issue will leave Andy Farrell ‘worried’
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell and former Leinster hooker Bernard Jackman.
Former Ireland and Leinster hooker Bernard Jackman believes Andy Farrell could well be the “most worried man in Irish rugby” after the weekend’s games.
Jackman’s ex-provincial side claimed an important victory over Munster at Thomond Park on Saturday, but the 13-8 success was hardly convincing.
Leo Cullen’s men showed their defensive resilience to overcome their arch-rivals, but they once again struggled in attack.
It has been a theme for the Leinstermen, who are lacking rhythm with ball in hand despite being stacked with top quality internationals throughout the squad.
Another All Black in their ranks
They have even brought in experienced All Black Rieko Ioane on a short-term deal, but there has not been an improvement since the 28-year-old’s arrival.
“The Leinster attitude, work rate and talent is top notch and being able to bring on Paddy McCarthy and Tadhg Furlong is some luxury to have. They have now won their last six matches and will be very hard to beat for any team,” Jackman wrote in his Irish Independent column.
“But when you see a starting team with nine British and Irish Lions and an 88-times capped All Black looking so much better without the ball than with it, it is concerning.
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“Munster were bullied by the Stormers in the final quarter and Bath in the first-half and there is a limit to their physical ability at the moment, yet Leinster couldn’t put them away and were hanging on at the death.
“Cullen and his coaches have another four games together to find the secret sauce to Leinster’s attack.”
With Leinster forming the core of the Ireland team, no doubt Farrell will be calling on most of those players for the upcoming Six Nations, but Jackman insists they need to improve, both individually and collectively.
“The most worried man in Irish rugby today is probably Andy Farrell,” he wrote.
“He is an outstanding coach but to beat France in Paris on February 5 or England in Twickenham a few weeks later, there is a lot of improvements to be made in discipline, decision-making and skill execution.”
Farrell’s one big positive
The one positive for the Ireland head coach may well be their fly-half depth. They already have Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley competing for the jersey while Harry Byrne has entered the equation due to his form for Leinster this season.
Ciaran Frawley is also looking to put his hand up ahead of the Rugby World Cup after signing for Connacht and Joey Carbery could well be heading home from Bordeaux.
“Sam Prendergast and Dan Sheehan were rested last night and while we didn’t get the Crowley v Prendergast head to head that we may have hoped for, such is Harry Byrne’s confidence and form that he is now firmly in the international frame for the Six Nations,” Jackman added.
“In fact, with Ciarán Frawley signing for Connacht to play as an out-half and the rumours coming out of Belfast that they are determined to bring back Joey Carbery from Bordeaux when his contract expires in June, Andy Farrell could have four Irish-qualified and capped tens playing week-in week-out in the four provinces.
“That is the type of depth he would love in every position.”