Six Nations: Andy Farrell wants Ireland to stick to their game against France

Dylan Coetzee

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has challenged his players to make their mark while sticking boldly to their structure and fundamentals when they face a strong France side in Paris on Saturday.

France will pose a physical challenge for an Ireland team that is on a nine-game winning streak, with 2021 World Rugby Player of the Year, Antoine Dupont, looking to pull strings behind his imposing forward pack.

Stick to the game-plan

Farrell believes his side must stick to the fundamentals that earned them the nine consecutive wins that included a victory over the All Blacks rather than attempting to adapt toward the French side.

“We’ve got to play our own game, that’s the way we’re thinking,” he said.

“We’ve fallen into that trap before against big, physical sides and we’ve not been composed enough to be able to play our game, so we’ve learnt some lessons along the way with that.

“We’ve got to be brave enough to play the game how we want to play it and not get distracted with thoughts like that.

“We want to lay down markers everywhere we go.

“A big part of international rugby or any big sporting event is you’ve got to be mentally strong to be able to stay in the moment and there’s no doubt that France are going to have a purple patch, it’s an absolute given.

“How we get back down to neutral and get back on task is going to be key, there’s no doubt.”

Ireland began their campaign by brushing aside defending champions Wales in Dublin, while Les Bleus were also bonus-point victors on the opening weekend, beating Italy 37-10.

Speaking specifically of World Player of the Year Dupont, Farrell said: “The reason he is such a great player is because of the dents his forwards tend to make pretty close to the ruck.

“The shape that he brings off nine and the rucking that follows always gives a nine room and space to be able to play how he wants to play.

“Obviously he’s a running nine and a serious threat because of his speed and strength. It’s something that we’re certainly aware of.”

Headline news from Farrell’s team announcement was the loss of influential captain Johnny Sexton to a hamstring issue.

Munster fly-half Joey Carbery, who has endured an injury nightmare in recent years, will deputise to make his maiden Six Nations start, with Jack Carty acting as understudy.

Farrell has backed Carbery to make the most of the unexpected opportunity.

“He’s a man of many talents and he’s one hell of a player,” Farrell said of the 26-year-old.

“I want to see him be himself, be super confident that he’s going to bring his own game to the party, and he’s in a great place.

“He’s been involved in some big games for us over the years and he’s had some downs with the injuries, but he’s had a good solid two-and-a-half weeks training with us. He knows exactly how we want to play as a team and we’re expecting him to deliver that like everyone else.

“I think his experiences make him more hungry to get back on this type of stage and to perform and be the player that he knows he is and wants to be.”

READ MORE: France to show title credentials with victory over Johnny Sexton-less Ireland

 

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Key match-ups and Paris prediction

Shane Byrne and George Chuter join James While to pick out the key France v Ireland match-ups.