Andy Farrell: Experience vital to cope with Scotland threat

Andy Farrell says Ireland are primed to accept the toughest of challenges from a Scotland team with their own eyes on the prize.

Forwards Tadhg Beirne and Finlay Bealham are absent through injury but the head coach has been able to recall fit-again Johnny Sexton, Garry Ringrose, Tadhg Furlong, Jamison Gibson-Park and Robbie Henshaw to his squad for the trip to Murrayfield on Sunday (3pm).

It's a timely boost for his unbeaten charges with second-placed Scotland impressing in all three games, victories over England and Wales and the loss to France.

Gregor Townsend's men will be determined to end their own lengthy spell without silverware that stretches back to 1999.

Ireland have bested South Africa, Australia, France, England and New Zealand (twice) over the last 12 months and are ranked number one in the world.

That's led Farrell to concede that preparations are going as well as can be expected.

"I do think that our past experiences will stand us in good stead, in terms of different ramifications whatever they may be," he said at Friday’s press conference at Dublin Airport.

"I feel we're in a good spot going into it, but the opposition always has a good say in that and we're playing against a good team.

"But, there's a few days to go and, again, who knows what's going to happen and how the game unfolds."

Farrell was part of Joe Schmidt’s backroom team when Ireland last won the championship in 2018 and was on the Lions coaching ticket for their series win in Australia in 2013.

As a player the Lancashire man had an incredibly successful rugby league career with Wigan.

With Ireland two wins away from just a fourth ever Grand Slam, he was asked what common characteristics he has noted from the successful teams he’s been involved in.

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