Ex-Ireland star wants Andy Farrell’s side to be ‘hated by South Africa and New Zealand’, it is a ‘badge of honour’
Ireland dejected after Springboks loss and former wing Andrew Trimble.
Former Ireland star Andrew Trimble claims that it would be a bad sign if Andy Farrell’s men started to be liked again.
The ex-Ulster wing admits that he is “worried” about the upcoming Six Nations, which starts on Thursday, following their downturn in performances and results over the past 18 months.
Between 2022 and 2025, they won two Six Nations titles, including a Grand Slam, had a historic series victory over the All Blacks in New Zealand and were number one in the World Rugby rankings for over a year.
They built up rivalries with New Zealand and South Africa, who understood the threat the Irish posed, and were seen as perennial challengers at the top of the game.
Poor November series
However, after disappointing losses to the Springboks and All Blacks in November, there is a risk of undoing that good work heading into the next Rugby World Cup.
Ireland go into this Six Nations with more uncertainty, and Trimble admits that it will be concerning if opposition teams don’t perceive Farrell’s side as a danger.
“I’m worried enough about this week, I’m worried enough about two weeks after that at Twickenham, I think that’s a reflection of where we’re at,” he said on Off The Ball’s The Rugby Roadshow.
“There’s a nervousness and an anxiety that we haven’t felt in Irish rugby for a number of years.
“Tinds (former England player Mike Tindall), you talk about hate, we developed this rivalry with South Africa. As far as South Africa was concerned, we didn’t even exist until five years ago.
“All of a sudden, these South African internet gremlins… they are incredible. They have their presence felt on every internet forum.
“You’re saying make England hated again, it is a badge of honour when you’re disliked, that’s the reason I’ve always hated Leinster. This has been my most enjoyable experience at the RDS!”
‘Rivalries are dropping off’
Once leading the way ahead of traditional rugby giants New Zealand and South Africa, Ireland have fallen worryingly behind those two, as well as fellow European countries England and France.
“Being hated is a badge of honour and we should aspire to be hated by New Zealand, by South Africa because we’re on their radar,” Trimble said.
“Those rivalries became really intense and it’s definitely dropping off, and we saw the impact of where that rivalry went and how much South Africa wanted to punish us in November – they did exactly that.”
The pain that they have endured over the past year could increase on Thursday when they take on the defending Six Nations champions at the Stade de France.
They are decimated by injuries and are without British and Irish Lions props Andrew Porter and Tadhg Furlong, as well as two other loosehead options in Paddy McCarthy and Jack Boyle.
“The scrum is getting more and more important, and it’s a bad week to be missing three of your best looseheads,” Trimble added.