Jun 5, 2026 · 27 min · 6 segments
Alan Quinlan and Stuart McAvoy react to the big news as Ireland Head coach Andy Farrell signs a contract extension with the IRFU through to the 2031 World Cup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy…
Alan QuinlanGuestStuart McAvoyHost
Um, I think probably from his own point of view and there was probably a little bit of a dip last season, and that was there in some of the performances and, and the data we, we, we had from some of those games, and it happens for teams, you know.
Um, certain players lose form, new players have to come in, all that kind of stuff.
Um, but I think what's been very consistent is, is the inspiration that Andy Farrell has brought to, to this Irish team.
And, um, under a little bit of pressure last year, the start of the Six Nations, um, negative so- a few negative sound bites.
Andy was getting, himself was getting a little bit tetchy with some of the press as regards, um, you know, bringing in new players and being questioned.
I think the, the probably the best performance of, of November was, was the last, uh, was the, the Australian game.
Second half was, was, uh, you know, the concession I think of four tries against New Zealand was disappointing.
Uh, and then obviously the Springboks game at the end, they showed incredible heart and fight, you know, to, to stay in that game given everything was just crazy, and they were dominated in that game, particularly at scrum time.
Um, and then when you go to Paris for the, the first Six Nations game, um, you know, not, not a great performance against a very good French side, and Italy was a bit flat.
So that kinda thing has been building for a while, and some noise in the media and online that's, you know, there needs to be a little bit of a refresh in the coaching group and, um, and all that kind of stuff.
I thought, yes, some new players coming in always helps, you know, create more competition, a little bit of fresh energy, all that kind of stuff.
But, you know, I've said this consistently, Stuart, we don't have a, a raft of players who are ready to go straight in, and the counterargument is, well, how will we know when they're ever ready if they don't get opportunities? But, you know, we can't introduce 10, 12 players into, into a squad set up with Ireland.
We don't have that level of depth that maybe France, England, South Africa have.
Um, we saw Balogun, Tommy O'Brien come in, albeit they're not young fellas, but the, the fresh enthusiasm and quality and pace they brought, that p- performance in Twickenham.
Um, and to win a, you know, win a Triple Crown and be couple of minutes from- away from actually winning the championship, uh, France scored late on, didn't they, with that, that Ramos penalty to, you know, win the championship for them.
Um, I think probably from his own point of view and there was probably a little bit of a dip last season, and that was there in some of the performances and, and the data we, we, we had from some of those games, and it happens for teams, you know.
Um, certain players lose form, new players have to come in, all that kind of stuff.
Um, but I think what's been very consistent is, is the inspiration that Andy Farrell has brought to, to this Irish team.
And, um, under a little bit of pressure last year, the start of the Six Nations, um, negative so- a few negative sound bites.
Andy was getting, himself was getting a little bit tetchy with some of the press as regards, um, you know, bringing in new players and being questioned.
I think the, the probably the best performance of, of November was, was the last, uh, was the, the Australian game.
Second half was, was, uh, you know, the concession I think of four tries against New Zealand was disappointing.
Uh, and then obviously the Springboks game at the end, they showed incredible heart and fight, you know, to, to stay in that game given everything was just crazy, and they were dominated in that game, particularly at scrum time.
Um, and then when you go to Paris for the, the first Six Nations game, um, you know, not, not a great performance against a very good French side, and Italy was a bit flat.
So that kinda thing has been building for a while, and some noise in the media and online that's, you know, there needs to be a little bit of a refresh in the coaching group and, um, and all that kind of stuff.
I thought, yes, some new players coming in always helps, you know, create more competition, a little bit of fresh energy, all that kind of stuff.
But, you know, I've said this consistently, Stuart, we don't have a, a raft of players who are ready to go straight in, and the counterargument is, well, how will we know when they're ever ready if they don't get opportunities? But, you know, we can't introduce 10, 12 players into, into a squad set up with Ireland.
We don't have that level of depth that maybe France, England, South Africa have.
Um, we saw Balogun, Tommy O'Brien come in, albeit they're not young fellas, but the, the fresh enthusiasm and quality and pace they brought, that p- performance in Twickenham.
Um, and to win a, you know, win a Triple Crown and be couple of minutes from- away from actually winning the championship, uh, France scored late on, didn't they, with that, that Ramos penalty to, you know, win the championship for them.
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