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Ireland’s defensive coach Andy Farrell has had a word of warning for some of the younger players in the Ireland squad, having been left frustrated by the second half performance against Italy, in which they conceded three tries.
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“The last quarter wasn’t acceptable because average is not acceptable in this environment. We need to be more ruthless in that and learn to play even when the scoreboard is well in our favour to be ruthless. The players know that and some young lads who hadn’t got vast amounts of experience might have been getting carried away with themselves a little bit. To knock off, you can talk about any technicalities you want – to have a lack of intent was not acceptable.”
Meanwhile Farrell gave an update on some of Ireland’s injured players. He said prop Tadhg Furlong was on target to be fit in time to face Wales.
“He is hitting his markers and is training well. He’s not been in full training, a bit part in some stuff and we’ll make a decision on Thursday”.
Furlong went off in the 3rd minute of Ireland’s 56-19 win over Italy with a hamstring problem.
Second row duo Iain Henderson and James Ryan are both looking good for Wales too. Henderson went off at half-time against Italy, while Ryan missed the match.
“James Ryan has been training with us fully for the last few days, he is fully fit. Iain Henderson a bit like Tadhg (Furlong) is hitting his markers and pushing in he right direction and we’ll assess him after two hard days of training.”
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But Farrell insisted selection would be based on players being fully fit.
“We wouldn’t take risks, we back the squad that we’ve got. We have got quality players across the board, we will make the right decision on Wednesday or Thursday.”
But Wales may be taking a risk with Dan Biggar, who comes straight back into the flyhalf spot after missing Wales’ opening two matches .
“Experienced, class player. He’s not played for quite some time and it is tough for anyone, even with the quality of Dan, to come back in after a six or seven week layoff and come into a game of this magnitude. But that’s what class players do don’t they, so we are expecting Dan to be at his best.”
Wales come into the game on the back of a 12-6 defeat to England – “It’s do or die for them, so if it is a cup final for them, it is a cup final for us” Farrell added.
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