[ad_1]
Donal Lenihan says Andy Farrell’s coach “nous” is legitimately being questioned as he nears the end of his first year in charge of Ireland.
In a season very disturbed by Covid-19, the national team has won five and lost three of its eight tests, but those defeats have come to England (twice) and France.
There could have been a time when Ireland was expected to lose to that pair every year and could still consider the season a success.
But times have changed and Lenihan, speaking on the RTÉ Rugby Podcast, says the national team must be seen to progress.
“I think the balance and mix in the Irish coaching setup is being questioned now,” he began.
“There is a question mark about Andy Farrell’s overall coaching nous from a rugby perspective. It’s a tough place to learn at work, because you’re always under pressure.
“It’s not just about the performance this weekend, it’s also about the result. They have to play well, but they certainly have to win.
“When you consider that we started this calendar year, the opening game against Scotland in the Six Nations, that was Andy Farrell’s first game.
“We won the game by 7 points, even though Stuart Hogg dropped the ball over the line early in the second half.
“How much development have you seen from that team in the last 12 months? I would say very little.”
Listen to the RTÉ Rugby podcast on Apple podcasts, Soundcloud, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
Follow Ireland v Scotland this Saturday through our live blog on RTÉ.ie / sport and the RTÉ News app, watch live on RTÉ 2 starting at 1.30pm, or listen to live commentary on RTÉ Radio’s Saturday Sport 1
[ad_2]