Coach Andy Farrell says the looming heavyweight clash against the world champion Springboks is not “do-or-die” for Ireland.
Farrell has not followed opposite number Jacques Nienaber in naming a 7-1 bench for the showdown between the world’s top-ranked teams in Paris on Saturday.
TEAM: Ireland back heavy hitter
The Ireland coach prefers a more balanced split of five forwards and three backs.
Asked if he had reconsidered the make-up of the bench, Farrell joked: “I did pose the question to our forwards coaches, would we do a 7-1 split with seven backs and one forward, but they wouldn’t do it.”
“[The Bok bench] shows exactly where they want to go with their game-plan. We are the same with some of the stuff that we do as well.”
MORE: Viva Rassie, long live the 7-1 split!
The Irish are on a run of 15 successive Test victories, which includes one against the Springboks last November, but Farrell said it had not all been smooth sailing since he took over after the 2019 World Cup.
“Our journey’s had all sorts and it prepares you for bits like this,” he said.
“I suppose we’ll learn a bit more after this one as well.”
Farrell, who has rebounded from a shaky start as head coach to mastermind not only the winning run and Grand Slam but also a historic series win in New Zealand over the All Blacks, said he did not see the Test as must-win.
Defeat for the Irish, though, would probably leave them with a must-win final pool game against Scotland.
“It’s not a do-or-die type of game but it’s pretty important to both teams, let’s put it that way,” he said.
© Agence France-Presse
Photo: LOIC VENANCE / AFP