Ireland great: Dark clouds ‘beginning to hover’ over Andy Farrell’s side amid ‘be careful what you wish for’ Leinster warning
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell and former centre Gordon D'Arcy.
Former Ireland star Gordon D’Arcy claims that Leinster’s performances should be a serious concern for Andy Farrell ahead of the Six Nations.
The annual international tournament kicks off at the start of next month with the Irish beginning their campaign against France in Saint-Denis on February 5.
Over the past few years, there has been a strong Leinster core to the Irish team and that has delivered plenty of success.
However, Leo Cullen’s men have not been as convincing this season, despite going three from three in the Investec Champions Cup.
Struggles against La Rochelle
Leinster only just scraped past La Rochelle at the weekend thanks to a Harry Byrne penalty, which snatched a 25-24 triumph.
Although they have now won every game since a 31-14 loss to Munster in mid-October, some of their displays have been underwhelming.
“Leinster are having to work for everything, edging from win to win without producing a performance that could be described as complete or authoritative,” D’Arcy wrote in his Irish Times column.
“There is an element of ‘be careful about what you wish for’ around those that wanted Leo Cullen’s squad to be ruffled and scuffed a bit in the early part of the season.
“Their latest victory, against La Rochelle, was as harum-scarum as it gets, but the key detail remains unchanged. They found a way to win.
“Perhaps it’s as relevant to suggest that their opponents found a way to lose. Often, those results carry lasting implications for later in the season.
“Traditionally, Leinster’s dominance at this stage of the year has helped create a broader sense of optimism around Irish rugby, particularly in the build up to the Six Nations. Under Andy Farrell, that anticipation has been genuine and largely justified.
“Now, with performances dipping below what most would reasonably expect from teams harbouring Champions Cup ambitions, the narrative has shifted.
“Whether fair or not, a darker cloud has begun to hover, replacing confidence with questions, and Irish rugby finds itself searching for answers at an uncomfortable time.”
Leinster were excellent in the early stages of their game against La Rochelle but the French side dominated much of the second period and perhaps should have been out of sight by the time Leinster earned a late penalty.
Leinster lucky
“The French side will look back on the contest bemused as to how it slipped away. They created four, perhaps more, gilt-edged try-scoring opportunities, all undone by execution. Convert just one of those chances and it may well have been enough to secure a win on the road,” D’Arcy wrote.
“There was no lack of intensity or creativity from La Rochelle. They beat 38 Leinster defenders, moved the point of attack effectively, and consistently found space. The final pass, however, eluded them. Even so, with 90 seconds remaining, they still held the lead.”
Cullen’s side actually scored more tries than La Rochelle, but it was arguably their last-ditch defence which won them the game.
“Leinster, by contrast, were more rigid in their approach. They built pressure methodically, looking to strike wide with Sam Prendergast operating as a second playmaker,” D’Arcy added.
“Tommy O’Brien was the early catalyst, injecting pace to breach the defensive line, before Prendergast’s subtle in-and-away movement created an overlap that Josh van der Flier finished clinically.
“Leinster showed significant grit, but that alone does not win trophies. When comparing the two approaches, La Rochelle were far more comfortable keeping the ball alive.
“Their continuity, offloads, short passes before and after contact, and rapid changes in the point of attack, caused Leinster persistent problems.”