Head coach insists Ireland can close gap on top sides
Champions France triumphed 36-14 in Paris
Andy Farrell is confident Ireland can keep pace with Test rugby’s leading sides as he prepares to conduct a frank post-mortem into a resounding 36-14 Six Nations loss to reigning champions France.
Farrell’s side were outclassed during Thursday evening’s one-sided tournament opener in Paris on the back of comprehensive autumn defeats by New Zealand and world champions South Africa. Ireland, who are hindered by a substantial injury list amid a period of transition, also suffered an emphatic 42-27 loss to Les Bleus last year in Dublin en route to surrendering the championship title.
Asked if he is optimistic Ireland can close what appears to be a growing gap to the top teams, head coach Farrell replied: “I am because I know the people that we’ve got, the good people that we’ve got, the good players that are here but who are at home as well. I know there is a determined group to make sure that we are constantly up there at the top of world rugby to be able to compete, and that will always be the case.”
