And Irelands new defence coach is..

First topic message reminder :

Andy Farrell!


http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/36562.php#.Vo0yvvmLSM9

Sin é wrote:

Notch wrote:

yappysnap wrote:When he first started with England our defense was tip top, we won a lot off the back of it.

Sure we had to give up on attacking to get there but it worked. 4 second place finishes show that...

Yeah, I'm happy enough with it given we still have Schmidt in charge of attack after all.

Thats what worries me. Schmidt still in charge assisted by Farrell.

Hopefully at least he manages to teach the Kearney Bros how to tackle.

If theres an extra seat in that class maybe he could teach Earls how to tackle without injuring himself.

GunsGerms wrote:

rodders wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:

rodders wrote:Don't rate Farrell at all. In fact he probably cost Lancaster his job. Shocking choice by the IRFU, he must have come on the cheap as damaged goods.  

Wasn't Burgess one of Farrell's failures as well ?

Without doubt.

Agree above that Owen Farrell is the man in form but for long periods he was picked ahead of Ford when the latter was the better option. Barrett too got a bit of a leg up at times.

He didn't get on with Catt and was a real negative influence in the England camp imo.

Farrell will not have the same influence in the Ireland camp though. Joe calls the shots.

Actually I've done a total u-turn on this - I think this is an inspired move.

He was a legend in RL, like Edwards and is a born winner and if nothing else he'll bring a real hard edge into the Ireland set up (although Joe is known to be pretty ruthless).

It's hard to assess his coaching credentials in Union. Saracens are known for their defense but have been even better post Farrell. England have been inconsistent over the past few seasons - the Lions won the series but how good were Australia really? I think Farrell will be desperate to get one over the RFU though.

Anyways I'm prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt and hope he really contributes something new. Joe knows rugby inside out so if he was involved in the decision then obviously he sees something he likes.

whocares wrote:Stupid question probably but do home nations all have and had defense coaches (not sure about Scotland)? Am asking this because France does not have a specific defense coach (we have one for the backs and one for the forwards on top of the head coach).
Some clubs do have defense coaches though (UBB have Joe Worsley who has done a great job as well).

Dave Ellis was the French defence coach for over a decade (according to his website.

http://dave-ellis-rugby.com/profile

yes you are entirely right Rugby Fan. We even have one now as well (called Gerald bastide) . Forgot about him, I blame all those years under PSA

I think we all have to give Farrell the benefit of the doubt until we get a chance to see what we have actually signed up to. He could be very effective in whatever environment the IRFU make for him. He won't have the level of influence he had in the England camp and reduced overall responsibilities so he may well flourish given the chance.

This is surely the perfect story for 606v2.

I'm pleased for Farrell, because I think he copped a lot of unwarranted flack after England's early exit. We still don't know how much responsibility he bears for the failure, but I never for a minute bought the line he was some nepotistic puppet master.

On the other hand, I don't particularly want him to show England up for getting shot of him. I'd have preferred it if he had gone to a club or province to find success.

What price England to underperform under Jones and then the RFU turn to Farrell for the top job in a few years time? Under new Director of Rugby Martin Johnson.

LondonTiger wrote:Although officially the Backs coach, Farrell was de facto Head Coach, with SL effectively in a DoR type role. Farrell's primary responsibilities were defence (including breakdown) and first phase attack.

Weren't England criticised for giving away needless penalties at the breakdown at the World Cup?

I wouldn't say that breakdown will be a big part of his brief either tbh. The breakdown, skills, attacking structures and set plays are the main areas which Joe Schmidt specialises.

What we need is someone to inject some line speed and aggression into our defensive line, and to work on the kick chase.

I suppose if Sexton doesn't perform you can have a new 10 in Owen O'Farrell

Farrell has a couple of other kids doesn't he? Does one play for Wigan RFL?

Gwlad wrote:I suppose if Sexton doesn't perform you can have a new 10 in Owen O'Farrell

Wow, good one.

rodders wrote:

GunsGerms wrote:

rodders wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:

rodders wrote:Don't rate Farrell at all. In fact he probably cost Lancaster his job. Shocking choice by the IRFU, he must have come on the cheap as damaged goods.  

Wasn't Burgess one of Farrell's failures as well ?

Without doubt.

Agree above that Owen Farrell is the man in form but for long periods he was picked ahead of Ford when the latter was the better option. Barrett too got a bit of a leg up at times.

He didn't get on with Catt and was a real negative influence in the England camp imo.

Farrell will not have the same influence in the Ireland camp though. Joe calls the shots.

Actually I've done a total u-turn on this - I think this is an inspired move.

He was a legend in RL, like Edwards and is a born winner and if nothing else he'll bring a real hard edge into the Ireland set up (although Joe is known to be pretty ruthless).

It's hard to assess his coaching credentials in Union. Saracens are known for their defense but have been even better post Farrell. England have been inconsistent over the past few seasons - the Lions won the series but how good were Australia really? I think Farrell will be desperate to get one over the RFU though.

Anyways I'm prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt and hope he really contributes something new. Joe knows rugby inside out so if he was involved in the decision then obviously he sees something he likes.

Farrell Sr never looked after the defence at Saracens he was backs coach then head coach (still don't know what he actually contributed).

Gustard was always the mastermind behind the Saracens defence.

Under Farrell Sr, the Saracens attack was not very good at all with a poor try count being a measure of that, with the departure of Farrell to England, Saracens' attack improved. The try count these days is quite healthy in my opinion.

Will probably see a similar improvement to the England attack with Farrell Sr out of the picture.

Farrell seemed to do a competent enough job with the Lions and the defence for England could have been worse but he's a forceful personality.

If Schmidt prevents Farrell Sr from having too much input into the Ireland attack then you might be fine.

I never felt that England's kick chase was particularly good under Lancaster and co, the tactical kicking in particular was poor.

Will be interesting to see how Farrell Sr does.

I still cannot see this as being a positive move for Ireland. I just think that he too negative.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

Gwlad wrote:I suppose if Sexton doesn't perform you can have a new 10 in Owen O'Farrell

Wow, good one.

Likewise

One thing is for sure he won't eclipse Schmidt the way he did Stewie

eirebilly wrote:I still cannot see this as being a positive move for Ireland. I just think that he too negative.

Well of course he is negative - he's the defense coach! The more negative the better!

And before he takes up his Ireland role in the summer, he's been parachuted into Munster as a 'Technical Advisor' to hold Foley's hand for the rest of the season. Which really shows the IRFU don't have much confidence in the current Munster set-up.

Wow really - amazing development!

I think it will be a good move- none of Munsters Ireland hopefuls will want to make a bad impression on him, which should focus their minds on their own performances.

And Munster could do with a new 10...

... so that's why he was at the Ulster Munster match!

Sooo... no concern whatsoever regarding Farrell's small lack of experience? The relative lack of success he has had as a coach? The stick he was getting by the end of his time with England?

The entire thread has consisted of confused and concerned people regarding the appointment.

Knowsit17 wrote:Sooo... no concern whatsoever regarding Farrell's small lack of experience? The relative lack of success he has had as a coach? The stick he was getting by the end of his time with England?

I feel like this.

If he's coming in to do a job as our defence coach only, no concern whatsoever from me. If he's coming in to do a job as our defence coach at first before being given more and more responsibilities, quite a bit of concern on my behalf. If he's being groomed as our future Head Coach, massively concerned!

But to sort our line speed and aggression in defence, I think he's a good appointment. Just need to be clear on any future role he might be considered for.