The opening two rounds of Six Nations action have proved resoundingly successful for Ireland and their new interim head coach Simon Easterby who now sit in poll position to claim an unprecedented third successive Six Nations title.
Coming into the tournament there was a sense of uncertainty about how Ireland would perform in the absence of Andy Farrell who is currently on a Lions sabbatical. However, comprehensive wins over both England and Scotland proved that it was business as usual for Farrell's men.
While Ireland are neither the most powerful nor glossy team in the world, their work rate is continuously world-class, with Easterby's men proving deadly at the breakdown, contesting each and ever 50/50 and chasing even the faintest smells of a turnover up and down the field - a mentality that while obviously instilled by Andy Farrell's leadership has not wavered in his absence.
8 November 2024; Ireland head coach Andy Farrell is interviewed before the Autumn Nations Series match between Ireland and New Zealand at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
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Johnny Wilkinson identifies crucial trait in Andy Farrell's success
With Ireland now continuing their bid for an unprecedented third successive Six Nations title and what would be their third title since Andy Farrell took over from Joe Schmidt, England legend Johnny Wilkinson has given his thoughts on what makes Farrell such a successful coach.
Speaking to Dan Biggar on The Rugby Pod, Wilkinson hailed Farrell's ability to connect with players, claiming the culture he has built is one of the main reasons Ireland so often find a way to win.
I played with Andy, he knows the game, he understands it all the way across the board from 1 to 15. He gets players as well, he's willing to understand players, to connect and create those bonds and friendships that can still exist irrespective of selection and people not being selected.
That's what he's done with Ireland, he's created a place where players go from a club and they feel like they're going to their next club as opposed to coming out and joining a load of other players within an international team and that sense of being at home when those players are in not just safe, comfortable, supported, cared for on the bottom end, but this drive and this open ceiling of lets push you and see how far you can go.
That combination is very, very empowering, and I think you see it in the way they've taken off, their understanding, their self-belief, the conviction, the ruthlessness how they can just turn it up time after time and every moment that seems to be a 50/50 the next step is always there's..they seem to just find a way of winning.
While Farrell is not currently directly involved in the set up, it's clear to see that Wilkinson feels his impact on the players is a major reason for Ireland's success in this current campaign.
Undoubtedly, Farrell will now be looking to build a similar culture within the Lions camp, where every selection made and training session held can have a bearing just how well the home nations' players gel together.
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9 February 2025; The Ireland team, led by captain Caelan Doris, centre, celebrate with the Centenary Quaich trophy after the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Scotland and Ireland at Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, Scotland. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
