Following the conclusion of the 2024 Autumn Nations Series, we update you on the state of the participating nations. Next up, it’s Andy Farrell’s Ireland.
Three wins and one defeat made for a generally acceptable end-of-year return, albeit they will look back on their performances with more questions than answers.
At times it was error-strewn and the results could have gone in a different direction. It is fair to say the win record has somewhat papered over some issues.
Ireland came into the Autumn Nations Series as World Rugby’s number one ranked side but relinquished that top spot after their loss to New Zealand and following Farrell‘s final stint at the helm before his British & Irish Lions responsibilities kick in, they end the year in the number two position behind the Springboks.
The reins are now set to be passed to Simon Easterby ahead of the Six Nations in what is an intriguing period for a team that appeared out of sorts in the autumn.
Autumn Nations Series summary
The revenge storyline was front and centre of all the build-up to Ireland’s opening Autumn Nations Series match, against the All Blacks, this after their World Cup quarter-final loss in Paris. However, discipline was poor from the Irish as a penalty count of 13 to 5 ultimately cost them as they suffered a 23-13 defeat.
A bounce-back performance was required a week later against Argentina, now under the tutelage of a familiar face in Felipe Contepomi and looking much more of a consistent force in the global game. An early yellow card for Matias Moroni that chalked off his try resulted in a key 14-point swing as Jack Crowley crossed soon after, with Ireland going on to take a healthy 22-9 lead into dressing room thanks to further crossings from wing Mack Hansen and second-row Joe McCarthy.
However, they would not trouble the scoreboard in the second period as Argentina reduced the gap to just three points as they pushed hard for a famous victory. Unfortunately for Los Pumas a knock-on in Ireland’s 22 with the clock in the red ended their hopes, as the whole of Ireland breathed a collective sigh of relief.
Changes in personnel somewhat expectedly followed for the Fiji fixture as Farrell took a look at the likes of Cormac Izuchukwu, Gus McCarthy, Sam Prendergast and others. It was a beneficial afternoon too as hooker McCarthy in particular stood out with his debut performance as Ireland claimed a comfortable 52-17 win.
Prendergast would retain his starting role for Ireland’s final outing against an improving Wallabies outfit, who led 13-5 at the break in Dublin before a late push from the hosts saw them cross through the aforementioned McCarthy as a 22-19 victory was sealed, bringing an end to an autumn that has been difficult to gauge.
Standout players
Captain Caelan Doris and back-row partner Josh van der Flier impressed throughout the month and the same can be said of mainstay Andrew Porter. The number eight led from the front and has possibly locked up the Lions captaincy as he continues to grow as a leader, while Van der Flier is back to his best.
In the backline some players blew hot and cold but when on song Bundee Aki showed his class while the returning Mack Hansen was outstanding on the wing. The Connacht star’s work-rate and intelligence stood out in every outing and he finished the autumn with three tries to his name in an impressive comeback.
Success story(s)
Ireland’s success in recent seasons has in part been due to a settled feel to their side with an established group of players knowing each other’s games inside out, which created a fluidity to their play. However, there has always been a feeling that youth needs a chance and we saw a sprinkling of that during November.
Sam Prendergast was given the keys at number 10 by Farrell for the game against Fiji and despite many feeling he was fortunate to remain on the field due to making head contact with Kitione Salawa, he went on to enjoy a solid first Test start that ultimately saw him keep hold of the jersey for the clash with Australia.
The youngster showed enough to offer Easterby and Farrell food for thought in their selection thinking and we feel it was definitely worth the gamble they made.
Speaking of taking a chance on a youngster, the most leftfield inclusion in the Ireland squad against Fiji was Gus McCarthy, a player who had only recently made his Leinster debut. Two tries and three try assists vindicated the decision to pick him for the final two games and he looks to have a bright future.
Main regret
That first-up loss to the All Blacks was, as mentioned, supposed to be a revenge mission for Ireland following that Rugby World Cup quarter-final defeat but they were under-par.
A win would have provided a perfect springboard for their remaining fixtures and instead they rather clung on to a victory over Argentina and limped thereafter.
Farrell would have been incredibly keen to leave the Ireland squad in the best possible state as he steps aside for the 2025 Six Nations due to British & Irish Lions commitments, but unfortunately it feels like the team hasn’t kicked on and built on the form that saw them go into the World Cup as one of the favourites.
The result against Los Pumas could easily have gone the other way while Australia also surprisingly pushed them all the way in a disjointed Ireland performance that was symptomatic of their autumn.
Results
Ireland v New Zealand (New Zealand won 23-13)
Ireland v Argentina (Ireland won 22-19)
Ireland v Fiji (Ireland won 52-17)
Ireland v Australia (Ireland won 22-19)
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/state-of-the-nation-error-strewn-ireland-left-with-more-questions-than-answers-as-andy-farrell-hands-torch-to-simon-easterby
