Inside Track: Farrell had all the answers for his critics

Andy Farrell is entitled to ask, “What have you to say for yourselves now?” Or, if he’s in a less challenging mood, “Oh ye of little faith.”

The Ireland rugby team coach was sharply in focus after his side got whipped by France in the opening round of the Six Nations.

READ NEXT: Inside Track: Inverness are keeping the IT flag flying

He should never have taken the Lions job last year – he just didn’t know what was going on at home in his adopted country. Comments like that were liberally tossed about, Farrell’s team selection bearing the brunt of the criticism.

There was no relenting in pressure when Ireland turned in another unimpressive performance in the narrow win over Italy, this game going ahead at The Aviva.

No one giving Ireland a chance in the third round meeting with England could be found. The game was at Twickenham, and though England had been shocked by Scotland in the Calcutta Cup on the same weekend as Ireland’s match with Italy, the sweet chariot was confidently expected to get back on track, carrying the Sassanachs to victory.

What actually happened was, the chariot got stuck in the mud at a very early stage, Ireland laying siege on the England line.

All kinds of records were broken in the visitors’ double-score victory, 42 to 21. A sweet win for all, but especially for Farrell. That it was his native country that took the hammering wouldn’t have caused the coach to lose one minute’s sleep.

Ireland renew their Six Nations challenge this Friday night against Wales. There could be a better opportunity for Farrell’s men to show that the win over England wasn’t a fluke.

The Welsh are going through probably their worst-ever period. It’s been a long time since they’ve had a win, the team only a very pale shadow of those peopled by players who togged out the red when this writer was wearing younger clothes than today.

Even if they were chief in inflicting defeats on Ireland, the talent of the likes of Barry John, Gareth Edwards and JP Williams – well, maybe not Williams – could be enjoyed. (The picture of Williams felling Noel Murphy remains ingrained in the minds of many who witnessed it.)

There have been good Wales team since. Indeed, the Principality’s reps have won four championships in the past two decades, but most recently have twice relieved Italy of the Wooden Spoon.

There was a hint of a reds’ revival in the most recent match with Scotland. It goes that Farrell will be preaching caution on Friday.