The looming milestone did not trouble Andy Farrell last week. His focus was on securing a series split in South Africa. But his 50th game in charge of Ireland feels like a turning point for him.
Regardless of the outcome of the second Test against the Springboks in Durban, the end of this tour marks the start of a new chapter for Farrell’s team. Even with an impressive 40 victories in 50 games, there’s a sense of change in the air.
Back at the beginning of his tenure, things were not smooth sailing. Taking over from Joe Schmidt after the 2019 World Cup, many expected Farrell to revolutionize the team immediately. However, he decided to evolve the squad gradually, introducing new players step by step.
Now, it feels like change is happening at a faster pace. New talents are coming to the forefront, challenging the established veterans. Farrell’s bold move to drop the 34-year-old captain Peter O’Mahony for the second Test is a clear sign that the team is focused on the future.
The next fixture against the All Blacks in Dublin and the emergence of England as a strong competitor in the Six Nations will not prompt Farrell to experiment for the sake of it. However, there are new faces waiting for their chance to shine, and the upcoming matches could provide them with the opportunity to prove themselves.
While Farrell will be leading the Lions in Australia next year, change is inevitable for Ireland. After ending their longest campaign on a high note in Durban, they are prepared to embrace the new season ahead.
Leave a Reply