Six Nations news: What Ireland learned against France, who Andy Farrell picks for Italy and the No.10 question

By Chris Collyer

In the last year, Ireland have only lost four of their twelve matches. Once to New Zealand in Chicago, again to South Africa in Dublin and to France twice, with the most recent being last Saturday.

For most teams, this is considered a good run of form; however, with Ireland and the pressure and expectation they place upon themselves, this is something of a paradigm shift.

As of last year, when France put Ireland to the sword in the Aviva Stadium, a void has opened up between the top two Six Nations teams, which was solidified as France pulled off an excellent game of rugby in bad conditions last Saturday, whilst Ireland, all be it with a depleted squad, didn’t quite turn up to the party.

Paris was not a complete write-off from an Irish point of view.

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Has the gap between Ireland and France grown?

Paul O’Connell’s lineout appeared to be fixed, along with match official discipline improvement, and despite the score, many players held the line.

The much-scrutinised and depleted scrum held out well against a much superior French forward pack, including picking up a scrum penalty.

Stuart McCloskey and Jamie Osbourne had a good outing and Ireland debutant Nick Timoney made a strong case for his selection as he barrelled over for a much-needed try after coming off the bench.

France themselves have won an astonishing 25 out of 28 games with Antoine Dupont as captain.

Are Ireland losing their edge under Andy Farrell?

Losing these games was not head coach Andy Farrell’s plan, and what is plain to see is that Ireland are not playing with the same accuracy or speed that helped them win the Six Nations Championship for two years straight.

The expectation, however, to compete and defeat the best teams in the world, will never disappear.

With the French defeat in the rear-view mirror and a spirited and ecstatic Italy coming to Dublin on Saturday, still riding the highs of defeating Scotland in Rome on their opening game, Farrell now has a choice regarding selection.

Does he field the same players and demand a better performance or will he make an example?

Will discipline cost Joe McCarthy his place?

Joe McCarthy has been a valuable asset to Ireland and the British & Irish Lions; however, the Leinster lock, despite his impressive talents, still has question marks over his head regarding discipline.

In the last two outings against France, his discipline let him down both times, leading to what turned out to be very important penalties.

Will Farrell put him on the bench against Italy or not select him at all?

Do Ireland need one Sexton successor — or two?

One area where maybe Farrell has no uncertainty is the number ten situation.

Spoiled for choice with Sam Prendergast, Jack Crowley and Harry Byrne, who all offer individual excellent skills, Farrell has regularly chosen Prendergast as his starting ten due to the attacking skill and ability to see the game in slow motion.

On more than one occasional Farrell has left Prendergast on and put Crowley into fullback; two playmakers on the field together.

Perhaps this is part of the strategy and a solution to the Johnny Sexton issue.

For years, Sexton held the reins of Ireland and was vitally depended on to ensure regular victories and keep the overall team discipline on the field.

With the obvious dependence on the fly-half for so long, the rugby world has been wondering if Farrell is looking for one obvious heir to fill Sexton’s boots.

Why does it have to be just one?

In 2024, Crowley started every game and played the full 80 every week and Ireland went on to retain the Six Nations Championship, this year we could well see Prendergast getting the same treatment.

Perhaps Farrell is developing two Sextons, two invaluable fly-halves who can share the responsibilities between them, thus ensuring Ireland won’t be as vulnerable should one of them unfortunately pick up an injury?

No doubt Ireland will set out to write some wrongs from last weekend and show that they are still a force to be reckoned with and prove to their head coach that no team will be hungrier than they are.

READ MORE: Six Nations news: Round two predictions as Ireland face Italy and England head to Murrayfield