Calm agression and set-piece solidity - what Ireland must get right against Springboks
Andy Farrell’s Ireland took a major stride in the right direction in last weekend’s 46-19 win over Australia, not least in the head coach’s words, in “getting out of our own way”. Yet this Saturday evening’s showdown against South Africa will challenge his players in completely different and more exacting ways.Three areas have emerged as the key work-ons for a head-to-head with the Springboks. 1 Discipline in defence Against Australia seven days ago, poor discipline allowed a Wallabies side that had been on the back foot unnecessary entrees back into the contest.Defence coach Simon Easterby highlighted the issue earlier this week, pointing out the negative impact of indiscipline and the backing up of errors and the high risk involved if that comes against a team with the quality of the Springboks. “We're fully aware that we need to make sure that we're not offering South Africa opportunities to get access because they have the ability to hurt teams,” Easterby said. “But it's no different week to week, whoever we play. We're constantly striving to be disciplined, to make sure that we're playing on the edge but not over the edge.” 2 Calm aggression Ireland captain Caelan Doris on Friday revealed he had received a pep talk from the head coach about improving his tackle technique and “getting more out of collisions”, a timely reminder of one of the key determinants to the outcome of this clash.Playing on the edge and keeping on the right side of referee Matthew Carley is a balancing act Ireland must get right if they are to avoid the double whammy of penalty concessions and the ceding of precious yards of territory to a side with a killer instinct up front and out wide.“Having a kind of calm aggression,” was Doris’s explanation for finding that balance. “I know that sounds strange, but being able to get back to neutral quickly, being able to be properly physical and sharp and bring edge, but in a disciplined manner. And it's a challenge, but I believe we're capable of it.”3 Set-piece Ireland have been labouring without an efficient lineout for some time, arguably since the 2023 World Cup and against both New Zealand and Japan earlier this month it became a serious pressure point. Credit to forwards coach Paul O’Connell and his lineout leaders for remedying that against Australia seven days ago then, but there can be drop off against Eben Etzebeth and his elite Springbok defensive unit.Equally so at scrum-time, though there have been some great returns against the South Africans at this set-piece in recent meetings, and Doris on Friday outlined the psychological advantage that can bring to Ireland.“It takes away one of their big strengths as well as giving us territory, good attacking platforms. We’ve had penalties off them in the past and tries, so it puts pressure on them too. It gives us a lot. It’s going to be a proper forward battle. “Like I mentioned earlier on there’s going to be times where they’ll get it right and hopefully more times when we get it right. But yeah, loving the adversity and getting back to neutral each time is going to be important.”
