Farrell highlights group of game-changing stars in major win
Andy Farrell has singled out a group of Irish stars who changed the game in London on Saturday.
The Ireland boss heaped praise on his players following Saturday’s 42-21 victory at Twickenham, with the visitors dominant from start to finish.
Ireland gave a performance to remember, though England were far from their usual standard in the statement win.
Ireland stormed to a 42-21 victory against England. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Farrell made a number of changes to the squad before the match, including a highly-debated decision at out-half.
He named Jack Crowley over Sam Prendergast for the number 10 role in a move that has been hailed by fans following the match.
In his post-match interview, Farrell included Crowley in a group of five players that he singled out as game-changers.
Farrell singled out a group of five key players. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
He said: ‘What the likes of Stuart McCloskey or Rob Baloucoune or Nick Timoney or Cian Prendergast or Jack Crowley or whatever…
‘The growth they have got now from their teammates by performing on a big stage is going to do us the world of good going forward.
‘We scored some lovely tries but some of the guts we had defending… chasing back, McCloskey and Baloucoune tackling people into touch in the corners.
Robert Baloucoune scored a first-half try. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
‘It shows the spirit of the team and what it means to fight for one another. A special day.’
One thing to note from Farrell’s group of singled-out stars is that none of them play for Leinster.
Irish rugby fans have sometimes claimed a ‘Leinster bias’ in the squad, with some of them using this thought to reason why Prendergast stayed as a starter against Italy last week.
Jack Crowley replaced Sam Prendergast at out-half. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
The 23-year-old had a poor display against France in the campaign opener, which was followed by another disappointing performance in the Aviva Stadium.
After the Italy win, one fan wrote on X: ‘Sam Prendergast showing exactly how there is a bias in the IRFU towards Leinster. What an absolute disasterclass.’
Another also claimed: ‘If Sam Prendergast comes out for the second half it really shows the bias Ireland have for their golden spoons Leinster players.’
However, Farrell’s comments may show that this is not the case, with stars from all provinces getting stellar recognition in Twickenham.
