Andy Farrell

Andy Farrell's sporting life is a glittering showreel of big wins and brave performances, yet the Ireland coach reckoned that today's win over Scotland is ...

So we need to get across our work early and make sure that we’re in the right space come Tuesday or Wednesday for training.” We’ll recover properly tomorrow and then a few down days to make sure that we get our legs back and then we’ll have a hit-out or two and we’ll get our plan together and go again. He's not in the dressing-room, he's in the medical room. "Ronan, he injured his shoulder again. That's shut down." It was organised chaos, we didn't know what was happening until the last second about whether Ronan was coming back on.

Ireland captain Johnny Sexton hailed how head coach Andy Farrell 'put his stamp' on the squad and how he has developed the team.

If they get fast ball into the hands of Finn Russell that can cause problems.” “I was lucky enough to work with him on Lions tours in 2013 and 2017 and then as assistant with Ireland. “The tactics and the strategy on the day will be the defining factor. “Their tactical kicking has to be really good too, smart kicking to the back-field and getting off the line to slow down the Scots. “We won championships under Joe but Andy came in and put his own stamp on it and changed the way we play, changed the way we approach things, changed the way we lead and changed the way we talk to each other. “He’s one of the best – what sets him apart is his attention to detail, his philosophy on the game and how he manages to be himself.”

Andy Farrell says Ireland will be fully prepared for the Grand Slam decider against England next weekend, even if they have a long injury list.

Regardless of what personnel is available, Ireland will be confident of securing the Grand Slam against a wounded England side. We know we've got a wounded England coming, so they're going to be dangerous as well next weekend. I bet Scotland didn't know what was going on when we came out with Josh [van der Flier] throwing in and Ronan [Kelleher] on the pitch. There was controversy all over that game, straight from the word go with Calean Doris coming off. Josh van der Flier was the one throwing the ball into the line-out from this point, something he did brilliantly. Andy Farrell's side suffered an incredible amount of injuries, especially early in the game.

Andy Farrell and Johnny Sexton talk to the gathered media after Ireland's win during the Six Nations against Scotland.

Andy Farrell and Johnny Sexton talk to the gathered media after Ireland's win during the Six Nations against Scotland. Andy Farrell and Johnny Sexton post-match

Ireland's versatility and ability to adapt in times of duress is a key part of their success, coach Andy Farrell said after they played for most of the ...

If we get any more injuries in the week we might have to have a look at Old Belvedere Under-12s," Farrell joked. "It was a monumental effort but that's what these boys expect of each other. "A bit of organised chaos at halftime, but everyone had a smile on their face.

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell says he is hopeful Caelan Doris and Dan Sheehan will be "okay" for Sunday's Grand Slam decider with England.

"He is not in the dressing room, he is in the medical room. We would have had to go down to 14 men if he didn't." "Any time you come to Murrayfield, you know you're in a Test match and it was no different today.

Ireland captain Johnny Sexton became the joint-leading points scorer in Guinness Six Nations history during Sunday's 22-7 win over Scotland.

Sexton made no mistake with the conversion. After doing well to ride out the early period of pressure by conceding just three points, Scotland forced their way into the game. Ireland almost made the breakthrough in the 11th minute when Hansen was picked out wide on the right but Duhan van der Merwe did just enough to pull him into touch. The Scots were forced into a change after just six minutes when lock Richie Gray went off injured and was replaced by Scott Cummings. Prior to kick-off Stuart Hogg was accompanied on to the pitch by his children ahead of his 100th cap. Sexton was wide with his conversion attempt, and the visitors went in at the end of a ferociously-contested first half with a one-point lead.

The Irish lost five players during the game at Murrayfield.

“The first half was a very good Test match – a very good Test match that went end to end. “It is just disappointing that the second half was not as competitive or the same energy level from us and Ireland got ahead. It was deserved for somebody like Garry on his 50th cap that we were able to do a special performance against all the controversy.” We didn’t know what was happening until the last second, whether Ronan was coming back on or not and we made half a plan with Cian. “It was immense, the character,” said Farrell. By that point, the Irish were on course for a crucial victory after tries from Mack Hansen, James Lowe and Jack Conan cancelled out Huw Jones’ score for the Scots.

There are some things in rugby you just cannot plan for, even if you're an Ireland side that has learned to roll with the punches under Andy Farrell's ...

That came on 72 minutes and still Ireland found the energy, resilience and composure to press for a fourth try. I just thought for somebody like Garry on his 50th cap, that we're able to do a special performance with all the (disruption). And still Ireland are in position to bid for a Grand Slam against England on home soil in Dublin this Saturday having overcome their toughest encounter of the competition so far. Referee Luke Pearce awarded the try only for his assistant to intervene by telling him the Scots had used a different ball for the quick throw than the one put into touch. With three props on the field, Cian Healy having replaced Kelleher, and flanker Josh van der Flier taking over lineout throwing, Ireland still managed to power ahead after drawing the post-interval sting from Scotland. Yet Ireland’s head coach had every reason to be justified in his assessment that this was a victory that ranked as the best he has been involved in.

ANDY FARRELL revealed his players laughed in the face of Murphy's Law at Murrayfield.The Ireland coach hailed this as the best game he had ever been.

It’s going to be a tough game and we just need to get everyone back fresh.” I don’t know how many teams can bounce back from that and put on the performance we did. A few went well and then a few didn't. I was actually a bit disappointed with a few of them. It was organised chaos, we didn't know what was happening until the last second about whether Rónan was coming back on. We knew if we could do that, it would be enough, no matter where people were playing.” This is where we want to be. This is what we are good for. “Even in New Zealand when we were there and we had Covid in the camp, we had front-rowers going down all over the shop and we managed to put in some performances there. We want to test ourselves against the best and thrive in these situations.’ All the lads were laughing. This is Test rugby.

The Irish lost five players during the game at Murrayfield.

“The first half was a very good Test match – a very good Test match that went end to end. “It is just disappointing that the second half was not as competitive or the same energy level from us and Ireland got ahead. It was deserved for somebody like Garry on his 50th cap that we were able to do a special performance against all the controversy.” We didn’t know what was happening until the last second, whether Ronan was coming back on or not and we made half a plan with Cian. “It was immense, the character,” said Farrell. By that point, the Irish were on course for a crucial victory after tries from Mack Hansen, James Lowe and Jack Conan cancelled out Huw Jones’ score for the Scots.