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Andy Farrell says Ireland must make a statement of intent against Wales to demonstrate their Guinness Six Nations title credentials.<\/p>\nAndy Farrell says Ireland must make a statement of intent against Wales to demonstrate their Guinness Six Nations title credentials.<\/p>\n
Ireland returns to Cardiff on Sunday for the first time since a 25-7 defeat in 2019 saw the Welsh replace them as Grand Slam champions.<\/p>\n
Head coach Farrell was unable to help his adopted country reclaim the crown during an inconsistent first year in the job, eventually finishing a prolonged tournament third behind England and France.<\/p>\n
After twice comprehensively beating Wales in Dublin during 2020, Farrell wants Ireland to lay down a marker at the Principality Stadium to kickstart the quest for glory.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can talk about how well we\u2019ve trained \u2013 I suppose every team does that \u2013 but it\u2019s about performance now,\u201d said Englishman Farrell.<\/p>\n
\u201cStarting off a competition well is key, getting the victory in the Six Nations is key. This is a competition that everyone wants to win at the start.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe main thing for us is about the continuity of our performance, getting all of our bits right and making sure they all come together in the right format.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving a proper intent and showing our want to try and win this competition right from the get-go is key for us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wales produced a limp Six Nations title defense last year, suffering four successive defeats following a first-round win over perennial wooden spoon winners Italy.<\/p>\n
Wayne Pivac\u2019s men were second best when defeated 24-14 at the Aviva Stadium in February, before losing 32-9 at the same venue in November during the Autumn Nations Cup.<\/p>\n
Ireland\u2019s main challenge for 2021 looks to be closing the gap to Eddie Jones\u2019 England and an exciting young French side.<\/p>\n
While unfancied Wales have already been written off in some quarters, Farrell is taking nothing for granted and fully focused on the job in hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are all big moments \u2013 this is the most important one because it\u2019s the next game,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the start of a competition that we want to do really well in.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce this game is out of the way, the next one will be a big moment as well, France at home.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone is talking about that being the next step but this is the only game that we\u2019re bothered about.\u201d<\/p>\n
Farrell has recalled Josh Van Der Flier as part of an enforced back-row reshuffle after a concussion symptom deprived him of the considerable talents of Caelan Doris.<\/p>\n
Van Der Flier\u2019s selection at openside flanker means Peter O\u2019Mahony switches to blindside, with CJ Stander moving into the number eight jersey vacated by Doris.<\/p>\n
Van Der Flier, who will collect his 29th Test cap, started the first three games of the Farrell era early last year but played a peripheral part in the autumn campaign.<\/p>\n
Farrell has backed the mild-mannered Leinster man to plug a sizeable gap.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust because he\u2019s a quiet character, doesn\u2019t mean he hasn\u2019t got the intent or the physicality that everyone sees from someone who is flamboyant or boisterous on the field,\u201d Farrell said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe gets the job done really well and we\u2019re super excited to see Josh get his chance and show everyone what he\u2019s about.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn a lot of the big games that we\u2019ve played over the last five years, he\u2019s been an integral part of that.\u201d<\/p>\n