Coach Andy Farrell says Saturday’s scoreline against Japan flattered Ireland, but applauded his players for sticking to their task.
Farrell shook up the starting XV for the Nations Championship clash in Newcastle, with nine changes from the lineup that beat Australia last week. Saturday’s outcome was a mixed bag in a five-tries-to-two 36-20 win.
Four players made their debuts with No 8 Sean Jansen starting the game and props Billy Bohan and Sam Illo and flanker Bryn Ward all coming on as second-half replacements.
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The Irish won the scrum and ruck battle and improved defensively from last week, but also conceded nine penalties, six in their own half.
“More relieved than anything. I think you know if you look at it, the scoreline is the scoreline and that’s the reality,” Farrell told reporters. “But it flatters us probably a little bit, especially with the stop-start nature of the game.
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“But I was just saying to the lads that that happens in sport, especially when you tinker a lot.
“We put them under a lot of pressure as coaches this week with all the changes, different combinations, lads not playing for a long time, and all of that.”
He said it was a worthwhile experiment, with fringe players gaining valuable Test match experience.
“All in all, with the experience that they’ve got, the learnings, the takeaways, it’s a good night at the office for us going forward, really, because there’s a lot to take from that.”
Photo: Brendan Moran/Getty Images
The post Farrell ‘relieved’ after flattering victory appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Coach Andy Farrell says Saturday’s scoreline against Japan flattered Ireland, but applauded his players for sticking to their task.
The post Farrell ‘relieved’ after flattering victory appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
