Ireland boss Andy Farrell dismisses Six Nations title 'anti-climax' claims - 'Everyone would love to be in our position'
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Published 11/03/2024 at 18:04 GMT
After a pulsating last-gasp defeat to England, Andy Farrell's Ireland side missed the chance to secure back-to-back Six Nations Grand Slam titles. Ireland remain front-runners to win the tournament though as they play their final match against Scotland on Saturday, and Farrell snapped back at suggestions that another Six Nations title could be seen as an "anti-climax".
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 09: Andy Farrell, the Ireland head coach looks on during the Guinness Six Nations 2024 match between England and Ireland at Twickenham Stadium on March 09, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Image credit: Getty Images
Andy Farrell has dismissed claims that winning the Six Nations would be an "anti-climax" for his side after a scintillating last-minute defeat to England ended their hopes of back-to-back Grand Slams.
Ireland looked set to win the Championship with a game to spare at Twickenham on Saturday as they led England 22-20 with 80 minutes elapsed.
However, a stunning drop goal by Marcus Smith ensured the points remained in London and put a halt to Ireland's perfect record.
Amid suggestions that retaining the title could now feel anti-climactic, Farrell pointed out the favourable position Ireland have on the other teams in the competition.
"Anti-climax? How many times have we won the Six Nations?" he said.
"Everyone would love to be in our position. We've got to make sure we're loving that challenge as well.
"I've absolutely no doubt that they [Ireland supporters] 100 per cent will be on song [against Scotland]. Paddy's [St Patrick's] weekend again, with the chance of winning a Six Nations.
"It could have been a little bit better but Grand Slams are unbelievably hard to come by. Six Nations [titles] are hard enough, as everyone would vouch for."
England are the main threat to Ireland retaining the Six Nations title, but they would require a bonus-point win over France and for Ireland to slip up against Scotland to have a chance of overtaking Farrell's side at the summit.
And while the Ireland boss pointed out the small margins that cost his side at Twickenham, he admitted that the result was a fair reflection of the match.
"I thought we could have kicked longer and out," he said. "There's one we kicked long and not out; the other one was out and a little bit short. But those are small bits that matter in the end.
"At the end of the day, I might sound stupid saying this but I thought it would have been unjust for England not to win the game. I thought they played really well."
Ireland, who sit at number two in the world rankings, could earn their fifth Championship title since 2014 if they lift the Six Nations trophy on Saturday.
- - -
TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination.
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement