Ireland star ‘loves’ controversial tactic despite ‘abuse of the safety laws’ claim
Ireland's Andrew Porter, Jack Conan and Tadhg Beirne after the Guinness 6 Nations match between France and Ireland.
Ireland back-rower Jack Conan is enjoying the make-up of the Irish bench, with Andy Farrell favouring the 6-2 split this Six Nations.
Farrell was reluctant to select six forwards and just two backs on his bench in recent years, but that has changed in 2024, with his first teamsheet to face France featuring the tactic.
The Springboks popularised the strategy during the 2019 Rugby World Cup with their infamous ‘Bomb Squad’ and upped the ante in 2023 when they selected seven forwards and just one backline player on three occasions – including the World Cup final win over New Zealand.
Ireland embrace the 6-2 split
The tactic certainly has its risks, as teams can come under pressure in the backline, particularly if there are two injuries in the backs. However, the upside of having nearly an entirely new pack in the latter stages of the matches is that it makes the risk worthwhile for many.
France have regularly used the 6-2 split under Fabien Galthie, and Ireland saw the benefits in their victory over Les Bleus in the opening game of the Six Nations.
However, some have slammed the tactic, and one of the most outspoken detractors is Irish media pundit Matt Williams, a former Scotland head coach.
Williams slammed the Springboks for loading their bench with forwards last year and did the same for France and Ireland before their first game of the year.
“I lived through guys becoming quadriplegics,” Williams said on Off The Ball. “We have a bench in rugby because of the way the quadriplegia and serious injuries hit the game through the ’80s and ’90s.
“They put a bench there to stop that, so that people could be substituted in positions where they were trained and it was safe. Now, this is an abuse of a safety law! There’s just no two ways about it. There’s no getting around it. It is.”
“It is always good to be involved in a 6-2.”
After getting his first taste of the 6-2 split with Ireland, Conan expressed his views on the tactic that he ‘loves’.
“It’s something different with Ireland, but it’s great, especially when you’re getting a load of you all coming at the same time,” the Irish back-rower explained.
“There’s such an energy and with the boys dying to come on and prove themselves and add their value when they can. I love being part of the 6-2 split, especially when you are only covering one position.
“You are not thinking ‘Right if Peter [O’Mahony] comes off here, I am going on to play six or if Caelan [Doris] moves to seven and I’m going on at eight?’ or however it works.
“So I knew I was only doing one role on the weekend and you put all your focus into that and just make sure you cross off all your stuff early in the week, it definitely helps.”
Conan added: “It’s great. I thought the lads off the bench [against France], did great whether it was scrum, lineout or everything around the pitch. It is always good to be involved in a 6-2.”
Having leapt over their first hurdle of France in the Six Nations, Ireland returns to Dublin, where they will host Italy in round two of the Six Nations.
Farrell’s charges are still in the running of a first-ever back-to-back Six Nations Grand Slam double and will look to further their run with victory over the Azzurri on Sunday.
