- Andy Farrell’s new Irish squad take on France in Paris on Friday night.
- Ireland play Six Nations without Johnny Sexton for the first time in 14 years
- The flyhalf in the chunky jersey is Jack Crowley, a barely tested 24-year-old.
The first signs of spring in Marseille. As the Six Nations kicks off on Friday night, a blue mark can be seen across the breathtaking architecture of the stadiums where Europe’s two great rugby union nations are each trying to overcome devastation.
Returning to this country just 100 days after their fervent World Cup hopes were dashed on the black rocks of New Zealand seems like a cruel fate for Andy Farrell’s Ireland, but the memories of their quarter-final defeat in Paris is gradually disappearing.
Ireland face some transitional uncertainty as they play the Six Nations without Johnny Sexton for the first time in 14 years. But the sport has a charm and optimism that comes with eternal renewal and changing seasons.
The fly-half in Sexton’s bulky jersey is the proud and untested 24-year-old Jack Crowley from Inishannon, West Cork.
The magnitude of the generational change involved was illustrated nearly ten years ago when Peter O’Mahony, who had taken over as captain from Sexton, presented a medal to 12-year-old Crowley at Bandon Rugby Club in Munster. ing. .
When asked on Thursday, Mr O’Mahony could not recall the moment, but he did remember Mr Crowley asking to be introduced to Sexton and that he knew they were friends. She said she was shocked by his plan.
And Farrell tried to prepare Crawley for occasions like Friday night by having Sexton act as water boy and tea carrier for four Six Nations games last season.
Farrell’s application of exemplary acumen to the details of management.
Netflix’s new Six Nations documentary series Full Contact doesn’t feature much of his time with Ireland, but episode 8 highlights the perfect decision he made ahead of the championship game against England in Dublin. Contains the final team talk. If you’re interested in this series, Farrell is a better leader to have in your camp every day than England’s Steve Borthwick or Scotland’s Gregor Townsend.
During his lunch break on Thursday, he peeked into the press conference room at the Stade Velodrome to check on his new captain’s progress. He didn’t need to worry. O’Mahony brings valuable perspective and intelligence as Ireland grapples with the gaping hole left by Sexton.
The most striking message from O’Mahony’s 30-minute speech was his view that we should not ignore the fact that a special member of the Ireland squad is leaving and a new captain is in charge.
“That’s old-fashioned thinking,” he said. “You have to talk about it and deal with these things, and then you probably won’t have an edge. It’s a stressful environment, but you have to talk about it and deal with these things. The more we talk about it, the easier life becomes for everyone.”
Every member of this team has something instilled in them by Sexton, the captain continued.
“If you asked anyone who played with Johnny in the dressing room if they didn’t feel anything from him, I would be shocked.
“That’s what this game is about: learning, being diligent, and picking things up from people who have figured it out.”
It’s the World Cup quarter-finals that Ireland are seriously trying to knock out. ”
At this point, that should be a long way off. We have to look forward,” Mr O’Mahony insisted.
It will be much easier to achieve if Ireland can start with a win here on the Mediterranean coast, with the Stade de France being prepared for this summer’s Olympics.
France is similarly concerned about the absence of Antoine Dupont, who is concentrating on preparing for the Olympic sevens tournament.
“To move forward, we need to stop talking about the World Cup,” France full-back Thomas Ramos said this week. “You also need to stop worrying about Antoine’s absence.”
In the midst of this tournament, Talismans are in short supply. Wales bid farewell to Dan Biggar and Alun Wyn Jones, while England are without Owen Farrell. But nothing can take away the beautiful anticipation of a curtain-raiser, when the two favorite teams to win the tournament come together under the lights of a stadium of exceptional beauty.
“Two injured animals reunited,” the headline in Thursday’s L’Equipe said pretty well.
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