NICK TIMONEY IS one strong outing away from starting at number eight against South Africa next weekend.
It’s a massive opportunity for a man who has had to be patient for the big days out in green. Now 31, the Ulster player is in line to win his 16th cap when Andy Farrell’s side take on Fiji on Saturday. It will be just his eighth start at Test level, having debuted back in 2021.
Timoney was something of a surprise selection at openside for last week’s win against Argentina, where Josh van der Flier started on the bench and watched the Ulster man deliver a powerful, impressive performance.
Indeed, Timoney would have been well in the conversation to keep the seven shirt for the Springboks game, but Sean Jansen’s injury – adding to the absences of Caelan Doris and Jack Conan – opened up an opportunity at number eight.
With Farrell’s options diminished, and Cian Prendergast not even included in this weekend’s squad, the in-form Timoney has made himself the clear frontrunner to start at eight against Rasssie Erasmus’ Boks.
Timoney has played the position a number of times for Ulster, more frequently earlier in his career, and finished last week’s game at number eight after Jansen was forced off. However, he has never started a Test game for Ireland with 8 on his back.
Timoney was excellent at openside in the win against Argentina. Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
Speaking in Dublin on Thursday, Farrell explained how Timoney has pushed his way up the back-row queue in recent seasons.
“It’s through believing in yourself and never giving up, and having the appetite week-in, week-out, to keep on improving, and then the recognition of that improvement.
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“He gets a sniff within camp, and we always say that when people come into camp, it’s very interesting to see what they do with that.
“It’s obviously lit a flame for Nick, and he’s gone after it hard ever since getting back into camp. He gained a few stars, didn’t he? As far as what his teammates think of him as well, in how he went about his business last week, that’s pretty important.”
Farrell was asked what Timoney is doing differently now, compared to the years he was on the fringes of the squad.
“I think there’s that little bit more belief in what he’s able to do, and he’s backing himself, because of his preparation, it’s second to none. He’s a clever guy, so he’s able to work things out, certainly in camp, over a short period of time.
“But as he gets on, his physical fitness, how he’s built and how he goes after his training, he’s getting better and better. He’s a powerful athlete that’s got a bit of pace as well, so he’s certainly hit the ground running.”
Timoney is one of two positional switches from the side that pumped the Pumas last Friday, with Mack Hansen moving from wing to fullback. The Ireland boss also made a total of seven personnel changes to his starting side, while making it clear he expects no drop in terms of standards and performance.
“Well, I thought we did some really good stuff (against Argentina). Our game has joined up really well in parts, from set-piece to counter-attack to try, or from good set-piece delivery to first-phase stuff, or whatever it may be.
“It was joined up, but not all the time. We lost a bit of focus sometimes, and we understand what those standards are now because we’ve seen those pictures, and we need to improve that.”
The selection retains an experienced core, with the likes of Mack Hansen, Andrew Porter, Tadhg Furlong, Tadhg Beirne and Ryan Baird all backed to go for the second week running. Some of that thinking is based on what’s coming next week, but also the bigger picture of this November window, with every point counting in the race toward the Nations Championship finals weekend in London.
“We were mindful of that last weekend,” Farrell admitted.
“The messaging coming down all the time is that points matter. We’re in a competition. We’re aware of that. It’s always a win-first type of mentality.
Farrell is expecting another strong showing from his Ireland team. Ben Brady / INPHO
Ben Brady / INPHO / INPHO
“Last week, we were first up. We have the pleasure to watch South Africa and France on Friday night and a few other games as well with an 8.10pm kick-off, so we’ll know how the land lies a little bit, but that won’t change our mentality of how we got into the game at the start, that’s for sure.”
And with all roads leading to next year’s World Cup in Australia, there’s no harm in getting used to the demands of repeat must-win games. Naturally, that’s easier to replicate when there’s an actual trophy on the line, compared to previous November windows where there was less riding on games against lower-ranked teams.
“That’s going to test everyone,” said Farrell, peeking ahead to the 2027 World Cup.
“Certainly with a smaller squad of 33 being at the other end of the world, it’s certainly different for us. Seeing who’s robust enough, who can get through this type of period, and not just that, go full-on, as in not minding themselves in training and all that. It’s interesting to see over the next 12 months how that unfolds.”
Andy Farrell speaking to the media in Dublin on Thursday. Nick Elliott / INPHO
Nick Elliott / INPHO / INPHO
And for all those big days that lie ahead, there was no overlooking the challenge coming this week. Fiji have had a tough year, but come to Dublin in the early days of Jake White’s tenure.
“First of all, I’ve huge respect for Jake and what he’s done within the game,” said Farrell.
“The coaching staff that he’s brought in are all very experienced guys as well. You can see the mark that experience is bringing in to a team that’s obviously got the athletic ability that rivals everyone really.
“We all know the athlete that we’re facing and the skill level that they’ve got, but it looks like Jake’s tightening them up in all sorts of areas. Certainly in the discipline stakes. Their discipline has been outstanding over the last couple of games.
“Being able to stay in the hunt in Japan and fight out a really tight game is obviously a trait of Jake’s as well but if you look at the stats of what they’re exceptional at, they’re exceptional at the physicality part of the game, certainly in the tackle area, their breakdown penalties and balls won from a jackaling point of view is up there with the best in the world.
“So, that makes them unbelievably dangerous. If we’re not good at our attacking breakdown, then you’ll see some turnover ball and the transitional game that they want to play.”
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'It's through believing in yourself' - Timoney in pole position for 8 role against Boks
NICK TIMONEY IS one strong outing away from starting at number eight against South Africa next weekend.
It’s a massive opportunity for a man who has had to be patient for the big days out in green. Now 31, the Ulster player is in line to win his 16th cap when Andy Farrell’s side take on Fiji on Saturday. It will be just his eighth start at Test level, having debuted back in 2021.
Timoney was something of a surprise selection at openside for last week’s win against Argentina, where Josh van der Flier started on the bench and watched the Ulster man deliver a powerful, impressive performance.
Indeed, Timoney would have been well in the conversation to keep the seven shirt for the Springboks game, but Sean Jansen’s injury – adding to the absences of Caelan Doris and Jack Conan – opened up an opportunity at number eight.
With Farrell’s options diminished, and Cian Prendergast not even included in this weekend’s squad, the in-form Timoney has made himself the clear frontrunner to start at eight against Rasssie Erasmus’ Boks.
Timoney has played the position a number of times for Ulster, more frequently earlier in his career, and finished last week’s game at number eight after Jansen was forced off. However, he has never started a Test game for Ireland with 8 on his back.
Speaking in Dublin on Thursday, Farrell explained how Timoney has pushed his way up the back-row queue in recent seasons.
“It’s through believing in yourself and never giving up, and having the appetite week-in, week-out, to keep on improving, and then the recognition of that improvement.
“He gets a sniff within camp, and we always say that when people come into camp, it’s very interesting to see what they do with that.
Farrell was asked what Timoney is doing differently now, compared to the years he was on the fringes of the squad.
“I think there’s that little bit more belief in what he’s able to do, and he’s backing himself, because of his preparation, it’s second to none. He’s a clever guy, so he’s able to work things out, certainly in camp, over a short period of time.
“But as he gets on, his physical fitness, how he’s built and how he goes after his training, he’s getting better and better. He’s a powerful athlete that’s got a bit of pace as well, so he’s certainly hit the ground running.”
Timoney is one of two positional switches from the side that pumped the Pumas last Friday, with Mack Hansen moving from wing to fullback. The Ireland boss also made a total of seven personnel changes to his starting side, while making it clear he expects no drop in terms of standards and performance.
“Well, I thought we did some really good stuff (against Argentina). Our game has joined up really well in parts, from set-piece to counter-attack to try, or from good set-piece delivery to first-phase stuff, or whatever it may be.
The selection retains an experienced core, with the likes of Mack Hansen, Andrew Porter, Tadhg Furlong, Tadhg Beirne and Ryan Baird all backed to go for the second week running. Some of that thinking is based on what’s coming next week, but also the bigger picture of this November window, with every point counting in the race toward the Nations Championship finals weekend in London.
“We were mindful of that last weekend,” Farrell admitted.
“The messaging coming down all the time is that points matter. We’re in a competition. We’re aware of that. It’s always a win-first type of mentality.
“Last week, we were first up. We have the pleasure to watch South Africa and France on Friday night and a few other games as well with an 8.10pm kick-off, so we’ll know how the land lies a little bit, but that won’t change our mentality of how we got into the game at the start, that’s for sure.”
And with all roads leading to next year’s World Cup in Australia, there’s no harm in getting used to the demands of repeat must-win games. Naturally, that’s easier to replicate when there’s an actual trophy on the line, compared to previous November windows where there was less riding on games against lower-ranked teams.
“That’s going to test everyone,” said Farrell, peeking ahead to the 2027 World Cup.
“Certainly with a smaller squad of 33 being at the other end of the world, it’s certainly different for us. Seeing who’s robust enough, who can get through this type of period, and not just that, go full-on, as in not minding themselves in training and all that. It’s interesting to see over the next 12 months how that unfolds.”
And for all those big days that lie ahead, there was no overlooking the challenge coming this week. Fiji have had a tough year, but come to Dublin in the early days of Jake White’s tenure.
“First of all, I’ve huge respect for Jake and what he’s done within the game,” said Farrell.
“The coaching staff that he’s brought in are all very experienced guys as well. You can see the mark that experience is bringing in to a team that’s obviously got the athletic ability that rivals everyone really.
“We all know the athlete that we’re facing and the skill level that they’ve got, but it looks like Jake’s tightening them up in all sorts of areas. Certainly in the discipline stakes. Their discipline has been outstanding over the last couple of games.
“Being able to stay in the hunt in Japan and fight out a really tight game is obviously a trait of Jake’s as well but if you look at the stats of what they’re exceptional at, they’re exceptional at the physicality part of the game, certainly in the tackle area, their breakdown penalties and balls won from a jackaling point of view is up there with the best in the world.
“So, that makes them unbelievably dangerous. If we’re not good at our attacking breakdown, then you’ll see some turnover ball and the transitional game that they want to play.”
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andy farrell Ireland Nations Championship Nick Timoney Opportunity Rugby