SOUTH AFRICA’S DEMOLITION job on Italy won’t have changed how Ireland view their challenge in Dublin in two weeks.
Andy Farrell and co. already knew the biggest test in world rugby was coming their way.
That visit of the Springboks to the Aviva Stadium on the third weekend of November has loomed large ever since confirmation of the Nations Championship fixtures.
Given what happened in Dublin a year ago, when the South African scrum led another demolition of sorts, the latest chapter in this rivalry is additionally exciting.
And that clash with Rassie Erasmus’ men is now firmly in sight for Ireland, who started their Nations Championship window with a convincing six-try win over Argentina on Friday night.
Pleasingly for Farrell, virtually all of his players played well. That hasn’t always been the case at the beginning of campaigns in recent seasons, with Ireland having gone from being known as fast starters to being a side who have been slow out of the blocks.
The pre-game chat from Ireland camp suggested a refresh of their ambitions after a 2025/26 season they weren’t completely happy with. There was a sense that Ireland had drawn a line in the sand.
And post-game, Farrell mentioned “new standards” as he reflected on Ireland missing lots of opportunities to add to their 42-point haul against the Pumas.
“I suppose it’s raising the standard to be as good as we possibly can,” said Farrell when asked to expand.
Robbie Henshaw celebrates with his daughter, Navy. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
“I think the good thing about a good win like that is you’re able to double down on what you said you were going to do and how you were going to go about it and make sure that we learn the lesson.”
The message from Farrell is that there is much more to come from his Ireland squad with “a tough old month” ahead as they face clashes with Fiji, the Springboks, and whoever they meet on the finals weekend in London.
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First up is the visit of Fiji, who have welcomed World Cup-winning South African sensei Jake White on board. His aim is to add another layer of tactical nous to Fiji’s characteristic thrilling style of play.
Fiji, who face France in Lyon on Saturday night, have yet to beat Ireland in their four Tests so far, all of which have taken place in Dublin, but Farrell will be underlining the need to respect them.
His selection for this Test will be interesting. Generally, this type of November fixture against a lower-ranked opponent is the chance to ring the changes and use the wider Ireland squad.
The fact that Ireland picked up a handful of injury concerns against Argentina surely makes such a possibility more attractive.
Captain Dan Sheehan suffered a head injury, number eight Sean Jansen limped off with a knee problem, Josh van der Flier and Mack Hansen took blows to the ankle, and Rob Baloucoune was also forced off in the second half with an unspecified issue.
Any assessments and scans required will surely have happened by now, and Farrell may well have already selected his team, which will be publicly named on Thursday of next week.
“Weighing up the injuries and how that lies as well because four games on the bounce at this stage of the season, you’ve got to manage that properly, creating competition along the way as well,” said Farrell on Friday night.
Ciarán Frawley and Jamison Gibson-Park came off the bench against Argentina. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
“We know that international games are unbelievably taxing no matter who you’re playing, so the balance has got to be right for us over the course of the month.”
The suggestion is that Farrell will look to use his squad against Fiji, even if there must be temptation to allow some of the strong performers from the Argentina game to continue their momentum and build even more ahead of the South Africa clash.
Friday night’s bench crew of Rónan Kelleher, Tom O’Toole, Sam Illo, James Ryan, Josh van der Flier, Jamison Gibson-Park, Ciarán Frawley and Bundee Aki will be hoping there’s a starting chance for them against Fiji.
The unused wider squad members from the Argentina match are hooker Tom Stewart, props Billy Bohan and Thomas Clarkson, lock Darragh Murray, back rows Cian Prendergast and James McNabney, scrum-half Nathan Doak, utility back Jamie Benson, and back three players Tommy O’Brien, Jimmy O’Brien and Jacob Stockdale.
Farrell could conceivably name a completely changed team to take on the Fijians, although he will surely want at least some element of continuity.
Frawley is among those hoping to come into the starting XV, with the Connacht man eager to get what would be just a second Test start in the number 10 shirt.
23-year-old Sam Prendergast will almost certainly be the man at out-half against the Springboks, given how he continued his strong start to the season against Argentina, including scoring a classy try in the second half.
“That is something that we’ve seen from Sam in his earlier days, his running threat was always prevalent in his game,” said Farrell.
“You’ve certainly seen that at the start of this year with him as well. He’s got it in his game; he’s strong, he’s got a good, strong fend, and he’s quick.
Andy Farrell was happy to see Sam Prendergast's running threat. Ben Brady / INPHO
Ben Brady / INPHO / INPHO
“He’s smart because he plays with the ball in front of him in two hands, so people don’t know whether he’s going to pass or run. He’s certainly a threat at the line.
“If you look at the try, the reason for the try is that everyone’s in it. If you’ve got options at the line and people are running genuine lines, then defences get pulled around, and he’s smart enough to see that and show and go, and off he goes.
“It looks like it’s Sam’s try, but it’s a good team try. There’s five lads around him who are doing a great job.”
That was the theme of the night that Farrell enjoyed most – the fact that Ireland connected up cohesively and “were the ones that were pushing the pace” of the game.
Now, the Ireland boss wants his players to drive on for the rest of this month.
“That’s the first game of that type of intensity for many players at the start of the season,” said Farrell.
“So, that’s done now. It’s a good win. We move on. We’ve got a tough old month coming up, but the aim is to improve and keep pushing those standards.”
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Much for Farrell to ponder as he considers Ireland selection for Fiji
SOUTH AFRICA’S DEMOLITION job on Italy won’t have changed how Ireland view their challenge in Dublin in two weeks.
Andy Farrell and co. already knew the biggest test in world rugby was coming their way.
That visit of the Springboks to the Aviva Stadium on the third weekend of November has loomed large ever since confirmation of the Nations Championship fixtures.
Given what happened in Dublin a year ago, when the South African scrum led another demolition of sorts, the latest chapter in this rivalry is additionally exciting.
And that clash with Rassie Erasmus’ men is now firmly in sight for Ireland, who started their Nations Championship window with a convincing six-try win over Argentina on Friday night.
Pleasingly for Farrell, virtually all of his players played well. That hasn’t always been the case at the beginning of campaigns in recent seasons, with Ireland having gone from being known as fast starters to being a side who have been slow out of the blocks.
The pre-game chat from Ireland camp suggested a refresh of their ambitions after a 2025/26 season they weren’t completely happy with. There was a sense that Ireland had drawn a line in the sand.
And post-game, Farrell mentioned “new standards” as he reflected on Ireland missing lots of opportunities to add to their 42-point haul against the Pumas.
“I suppose it’s raising the standard to be as good as we possibly can,” said Farrell when asked to expand.
“I think the good thing about a good win like that is you’re able to double down on what you said you were going to do and how you were going to go about it and make sure that we learn the lesson.”
The message from Farrell is that there is much more to come from his Ireland squad with “a tough old month” ahead as they face clashes with Fiji, the Springboks, and whoever they meet on the finals weekend in London.
First up is the visit of Fiji, who have welcomed World Cup-winning South African sensei Jake White on board. His aim is to add another layer of tactical nous to Fiji’s characteristic thrilling style of play.
Fiji, who face France in Lyon on Saturday night, have yet to beat Ireland in their four Tests so far, all of which have taken place in Dublin, but Farrell will be underlining the need to respect them.
His selection for this Test will be interesting. Generally, this type of November fixture against a lower-ranked opponent is the chance to ring the changes and use the wider Ireland squad.
The fact that Ireland picked up a handful of injury concerns against Argentina surely makes such a possibility more attractive.
Captain Dan Sheehan suffered a head injury, number eight Sean Jansen limped off with a knee problem, Josh van der Flier and Mack Hansen took blows to the ankle, and Rob Baloucoune was also forced off in the second half with an unspecified issue.
Any assessments and scans required will surely have happened by now, and Farrell may well have already selected his team, which will be publicly named on Thursday of next week.
“Weighing up the injuries and how that lies as well because four games on the bounce at this stage of the season, you’ve got to manage that properly, creating competition along the way as well,” said Farrell on Friday night.
“We know that international games are unbelievably taxing no matter who you’re playing, so the balance has got to be right for us over the course of the month.”
The suggestion is that Farrell will look to use his squad against Fiji, even if there must be temptation to allow some of the strong performers from the Argentina game to continue their momentum and build even more ahead of the South Africa clash.
Friday night’s bench crew of Rónan Kelleher, Tom O’Toole, Sam Illo, James Ryan, Josh van der Flier, Jamison Gibson-Park, Ciarán Frawley and Bundee Aki will be hoping there’s a starting chance for them against Fiji.
The unused wider squad members from the Argentina match are hooker Tom Stewart, props Billy Bohan and Thomas Clarkson, lock Darragh Murray, back rows Cian Prendergast and James McNabney, scrum-half Nathan Doak, utility back Jamie Benson, and back three players Tommy O’Brien, Jimmy O’Brien and Jacob Stockdale.
Farrell could conceivably name a completely changed team to take on the Fijians, although he will surely want at least some element of continuity.
Frawley is among those hoping to come into the starting XV, with the Connacht man eager to get what would be just a second Test start in the number 10 shirt.
23-year-old Sam Prendergast will almost certainly be the man at out-half against the Springboks, given how he continued his strong start to the season against Argentina, including scoring a classy try in the second half.
“That is something that we’ve seen from Sam in his earlier days, his running threat was always prevalent in his game,” said Farrell.
“You’ve certainly seen that at the start of this year with him as well. He’s got it in his game; he’s strong, he’s got a good, strong fend, and he’s quick.
“He’s smart because he plays with the ball in front of him in two hands, so people don’t know whether he’s going to pass or run. He’s certainly a threat at the line.
“If you look at the try, the reason for the try is that everyone’s in it. If you’ve got options at the line and people are running genuine lines, then defences get pulled around, and he’s smart enough to see that and show and go, and off he goes.
“It looks like it’s Sam’s try, but it’s a good team try. There’s five lads around him who are doing a great job.”
That was the theme of the night that Farrell enjoyed most – the fact that Ireland connected up cohesively and “were the ones that were pushing the pace” of the game.
Now, the Ireland boss wants his players to drive on for the rest of this month.
“That’s the first game of that type of intensity for many players at the start of the season,” said Farrell.
“So, that’s done now. It’s a good win. We move on. We’ve got a tough old month coming up, but the aim is to improve and keep pushing those standards.”
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Argentina Farrell Fiji Ireland Options Selection Springboks