Andy Farrell relishing opportunity to pit wits against old mentor Shaun Edwards in Six Nations showdown
A meeting of rugby minds from almost 30 years ago will play a central role when Ireland face France in their Six Nations decider on Saturday night. At just 15 years old, when Andy Farrell was making his first steps into a stellar rugby league career with Wigan, he was mentored by Shaun Edwards – now the France defence coach.
When the Ireland head coach, now 45, made his Wigan debut as a 16-year-old against Keighley, Edwards was captain and it is with fondness Farrell describes the bond the pair developed, but it will be put to one side when the two coaches meet at the Stade de France.
“As a young kid Shaun took me under his wing. He looked after me and showed me what professionalism is because he was ahead of his time as far as that is concerned,” he said. “I was privileged to be involved with him as a player. Shaun is a winner and a fighter, and that is why I know the French will be ready on Saturday night.”
Farrell added with a chuckle: “He will probably snarl at me and ignore me for the first 10 minutes and we will probably shake hands afterwards.”
The admiration extends to how Edwards has helped transform the French defence since being drafted in by head coach Fabien Galthie. “You can see the difference [Edwards has made] straight away,” said Farrell.
“He brings so much energy and he would be unbelievably clear in what he what he wants from the players and when you are clear and to the point you almost see heightened energy on the back of that.”
Edwards’ influence was instrumental in France’s Six Nations wins against England and Wales. Ireland have their destiny in their own hands, but will have to beat France with a bonus point if they are to claim a fourth title out of the past seven Six Nations Championships.
Robbie Henshaw starts at outside centre in Ireland’s sole change from last weekend’s 50-17 rout of Italy, the Leinster star stepping in for provincial team-mate Garry Ringrose who is out with a broken jaw.
Munster’s Chris Farrell takes a seat on the bench after Henshaw’s promotion to the starting XV.
Farrell revealed that his side had been paying particular care in analysing Les Bleus scrum-half Antoine Dupont, who put in a stellar shift in France’s 20-19 warm-up win over Wales last weekend.
“They have threats all across the back line, but Dupont is a fighter. He hasn’t just got all the skill, but he has the will to win as well,” said Farrell. “His strength is one of his biggest attributes, he is a threat. He is somebody that we have talked heavily about this week.”
Farrell also admitted feeling like a “cheat” for taking the honour of awarding Cian Healy his 100th cap for Ireland.
Prop Healy will become Ireland’s sixth centurion, joining Brian O’Driscoll, Ronan O’Gara, Rory Best, Paul O’Connell and John Hayes.
The coach insisted Healy’s provincial and Test coaches of the past deserve all the credit for helping the 33-year-old reach the century milestone, hailing the Leinster star’s grit to rack up three figures in green.
“I feel hugely fortunate that as a coach I’m able to select him for his 100th cap”, said Farrell.
“I actually feel like a cheat really, because there’s far more coaches that have done far more down the line than I have.
“But the group feels unbelievably privileged to be involved in such an occasion with Cian, and in such a big game as well.”
