Is Andy Farrell’s Ireland the greatest Six Nations team in history?
Ireland players celebrate a try.
Ireland have a chance to rewrite Six Nations history this weekend when they take on England, with a victory securing the longest win streak in the tournament’s history.
It could be a massive moment for Ireland and Andy Farrell, who currently sit alongside Eddie Jones’ England with 11 consecutive wins.
Before the weekend, Planet Rugby takes a closer look at England’s winning streak and unpacks what a victory would mean for this Ireland team.
England 2015-2017
The Red Rose took well to the infamous Jones as soon as he was welcomed into the hot-seat as England only lost the 2015 Six Nations on points difference alone. The final two games against Scotland and France kicked off what would be a record run.
When the 2016 Six Nations rolled around Jones’ ideas and methodology had been internalised and the team would go on to dominate the tournament, walking away with a well-earned Grand Slam. Their Six Nations win streak had reached seven in a row at this point.
Grand Slam Years: England 2016
Want to relive the Grand Slam @EnglandRugby fans?
Sit back and enjoy every try from the 2016 Championship…and let us know which was your favourite below! 👇#GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/7G4I4iLV5M
— Guinness Men's Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) July 25, 2020
There genuinely looked to be no stopping the Red Rose machine that continuously found a way to win throughout the first four rounds of the 2017 championship, only for the side to finally lose a game to Ireland on the final day.
Jones’ England would still win the title but their record Six Nations run was over.
Ireland 2022-present
Farrell’s Ireland have been one of the most consistent teams for a number of years now and even in the 2022 Six Nations – where France won the Grand Slam – the side was sniffing around near the top.
In fact, their last loss in the Six Nations came against Les Bleus in round two of that campaign. Since then the Irish have been absolutely brilliant, finishing that campaign with solid wins over Italy, England and Scotland to take momentum into the new year.
In 2023 Ireland kicked things up a gear and looked completely untouchable in the Six Nations, waltzing past every team with no one really running them close. It was impossible to argue with their quality and systems-based approach that was clearly working.
After Rugby World Cup heartbreak and the retirement of Johnny Sexton, there are questions about whether Ireland can kick on or not in 2024 and that has been emphatically answered.
Jack Crowley is the new Sexton, Peter O’Mahony is the new skipper but everything else remains; pure execution, masterful game management and relentless attack.
⌚️ Dan Sheehan crashed over the line in plenty of time for Ireland to pick up the bonus point try out in Marseille in the opening round of the Championship 🤩#Breitling #DefiningMoment @Breitling pic.twitter.com/EwDQECkyTM
— Guinness Men's Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 2, 2024
Ireland are unbeaten this campaign and with England and Scotland in their crosshairs, they have a gilt-edge opportunity to not only become the team with the longest win streak in Six Nations history but also become the first side to win back-to-back Grand Slams.