It’s quite fitting that Japan are providing the opposition at Aviva Stadium.
On this day four years ago – November 8, 2021 – the Brave Blossoms were in town and the mood music around Andy Farrell’s Ireland was eerily similar.
The national team had been in a state of flux for the best part of two years. Farrell had struggled to make his mark since succeeding Joe Schmidt after the 2019 World Cup.
Pic: INPHO/Nick Elliott
Ireland were struggling for rhythm. Every part of their game was flawed. The players were copping criticism from every quarter and results were patchy. The fact this was all playing out in front of empty stadiums during the Covid-19 pandemic made the atmosphere all the more grim.
Japan, who had shocked Ireland in the pool stages of their home World Cup, were in town with the All Blacks paying a visit to the capital seven days later. Few expected Farrell’s side to come firing out of the blocks that November. True, they had finished a middling Six Nations with a stirring 32-18 win against Ireland at home. This team had lacked consistency, however.
And Farrell caused quite a stir with his team selection ahead of that autumn opener. Andrew Conway and James Lowe were drafted onto the wings, with Keith Earls and Jacob Stockdale dropping out. Jamison Gibson-Park was thrust into the scrum-half slot, despite being seemingly second choice to Luke McGrath at his province.
Craig Casey, Tom Farrell and Caolin Blade walk out together. Pic: INPHO/Nick Elliott
The pack had a more dynamic feel to it. Andrew Porter was shifted to loosehead, Ronan Kelleher was promoted to hooker while Caelan Doris was unleashed on the blindside in an all-action backrow featuring Josh van der Flier and Jack Conan.
Once Lowe sprinted away down the touchline in the early stages, Ireland, in their purple alternate kit, never looked back. Japan were blown off the park by Ireland’s all-court, high-tempo game plan. Final score: Ireland 60 Japan 5.
That performance was the catalyst for a golden era on Farrell’s watch. The All Blacks and Argentina were dispatched in the weeks which followed and more big results were on the horizon. A historic 2-1 series victory was secured in New Zealand. A Grand Slam in 2023. The World Cup didn’t go according to plan but Ireland went down fighting in the quarter-final.
Pic: INPHO/Ben Brady
And throughout this stellar period, Ireland played a brilliant, enterprising and hugely entertaining brand of rugby.
When Doris, one of eight changes to Farrell’s side this week, was asked about the state of this current squad, it was telling that he immediately cited that Japan game four years ago.
‘If you look back to 2021, this game was Johnny Sexton’s 100th cap and I think this game probably put us on an upward trajectory,’ the Ireland captain noted.
‘There have been some positives over the last year or two, we’ve had some big wins and some big performances but probably been inconsistent, probably not quite at where we want to be operating and there’s recognition of that, there’s recognition of a bit of a reset at the minute.
‘There’s no lack of belief or doubt in our potential and in what we can do. It’s just about getting out and delivering on it.
‘That’s been a focus of this week, of bringing the best of ourselves and hopefully there will be an upward trajectory from here as well.’
The big question is can the class of 2025 rediscover the old magic? Do they have the same high ceiling as that side in 2021? There have been concerns around this team for quite some time and the final-quarter collapse at Soldier Field merely reinforced the nagging feeling that this is a squad in decline.
There are issues around the general team attack, kicking game, lineout and breakdown. It’s a lengthy list of big fixes for Farrell and his coaching team.
Is this team about to click and hit another purple patch heading towards the 2027 World Cup – just like what occurred in 2021 – or has the current group run out of road?
Today will tell a lot. Farrell has looked to freshen things up this week. He has made four changes to the pack and four changes to the backline. Kelleher, Thomas Clarkson, Nick Timoney and Doris have been drafted into the forwards.
The presence of Doris in the starting line-up should surely galvanise this playing group. The Leinster No8 looked sharp off the bench in Chicago and Ireland will need some of his ball-carrying ballast against a Japan team which will be well drilled by Eddie Jones.
The most curious selections are out wide, however. Tom Farrell, at age 32, makes his Test debut. It’s a brilliant story and due reward for a player who never game up.
Farrell can offer a real point of difference in attack, with his offloading ability and strong running. At some stage, Andy Farrell must be considering unleashing the in-form Munster midfielder and Stuart McCloskey together as as blockbuster midfield combination.
For now, Farrell has a chance to impress in the Irish shirt. He looks far from a one-cap wonder. He can become a key player heading towards the next World Cup.
This is a huge opportunity for Jacob Stockdale as well. The Ulster wing has had no luck in recent years. Injuries have disrupted any momentum at this level. He has featured in just three games for his country in two-and-a-half years. But Stockdale still has something to offer at this level.
Farrell will be looking at the collective effort, mind. He will be hoping for a slicker, more cohesive attack. He will want to see accuracy at the breakdown. He will want to see an efficient lineout delivering quick ball. A smarter kicking game and more alignment in defence.
Most of all, Farrell would love to see a bit of pep back in Irish steps. It’s been a while since we saw an Irish team play with a bit of swagger.
Whatever about all the technical issues, the high-profile retirements and injury problems, this team has lacked a bit of confidence for quite some time.
It was the same story in 2021. It took one big performance to turn things around. Farrell will be hoping lightning strikes twice at the Aviva today.