Ireland: Andy Farrell issues ominous warning ahead of Joe Schmidt reunion
Andy Farrell believes the best is still yet to come for his side ahead of a reunion with Joe Schmidt.
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell believes “the best is yet to come” for his side, as they now look ahead to a mouth-watering reunion with former boss Joe Schmidt.
Farrell’s side claimed an emphatic 52-17 win over Fiji early on Saturday afternoon, their second victory of the Autumn Nations Series.
“The best is yet to come”
The Lions-bound coach has been fairly public with his criticism of his Ireland team so far this month, saying they were still trying to find their feet at Test level again, and speaking after the game against Fiji he again opened up on the fact he believes his side still aren’t the finished article.
“The best is yet to come,” he said. “It has to be.”
He added: “Our discipline was good in general. (We had) a couple of execution bits that could have been better, but I thought our discipline added to our stronghold on the game.”
Whilst he was quick to point out where his side can improve ahead of the Australia clash, he did say the victory was “pleasing”.
“I thought for all sorts of reasons it was very pleasing,” Farrell said. “First and foremost there are some nice stories within the group with two debutants or somebody like Jacob Stockdale who’s not played for quite some time.”
He added: “I thought we controlled the game very well.”
“Buoyant Australian side”
Farrell and his band of merry men now turn their attention onto a resurgent Australian side, led by former boss Schmidt. The Kiwi held the head coach post on the Emerald Isle from 2013 to 2019 and guided them to three Six Nations titles in that time – including the 2018 Grand Slam.
It’s been a turbulent time for Schmidt since taking the reins of the Wallabies, but they head to Dublin off the back of two wins against England and Wales respectively, and also face Scotland on Sunday (November 24).
Commenting on the game, Farrell said: “We’re playing against a buoyant Australian side that play some really nice rugby, but the week’s going to be a special one for us.”
It will be the first time Schmidt has faced Ireland as a head coach since his departure, but he was on the coaching staff of the All Blacks side that beat them in the World Cup last year.
The game also serves as the 150th anniversary of rugby in Ireland, and Farrell said that makes it a very special occasion.
“It’s going to be a marked game for the 150th anniversary. We talk a lot about the shirt and what it means for us so it’s going to be a big week coming up.”
