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Some players 'lucky enough' to face Pumas - Farrell

Jack Crowley has been retained at fly-half despite Ireland's attack failing to fire against New Zealand.

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by BBC NEWS

Rugby28 October 2024 - 12:02
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In Summary


  • Ireland's autumn campaign began in dispiriting fashion with a sub-par performance allowing New Zealand to win 23-13 in Dublin.
  • Having slipped to third in the world rankings after their 19-game home unbeaten run was ended, Farrell views the Pumas' visit to Aviva Stadium as the "perfect" test for his players.

Head coach Andy Farrell has welcomed the pressure last week's defeat by the All Blacks has put on Ireland and says some players are "lucky enough" to be given an immediate shot at redemption against Argentina.

Ireland's autumn campaign began in dispiriting fashion with a sub-par performance allowing New Zealand to win 23-13 in Dublin.

Having slipped to third in the world rankings after their 19-game home unbeaten run was ended, Farrell views the Pumas' visit to Aviva Stadium as the "perfect" test for his players.

"It [pressure]'s what concentrates the mind, it's when you see where your character's at," he said.

"We want to win all of our games but the opposition is always going to have a say in that. I think this is perfect because we have another top-drawer opponent coming and we want to test ourselves because we feel we let a few people down last week."

Farrell has opted against making wholesale changes following the All Blacks loss with Robbie Henshaw's inclusion at inside centre ahead of Bundee Aki - who does not make the squad - the only alteration to the starting line-up.

Jack Crowley has been retained at fly-half despite Ireland's attack failing to fire against New Zealand.

"Jack, along with quite a few of our players, would have been hoping for a better performance," added Farrell.

"Some of them are lucky enough to get another chance to do that, others are coming in and some of them obviously played pretty well themselves, but there were too many people not right at their best and we're hoping for everyone to improve, not just Jack.

"The control of the game is something Jack would be open and honest about wanting to step up a little bit this week but we've seen this in training."


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