Defence best form of attack for Ireland - Farrell

Everything revolves around defence. Everything.

Andy Farrell, aka the Man of Steel, doesn't flinch and indeed perks up upon the mere mention of the defensive stop.

"It always has been and it always will be, it will never change," said Farrell ahead of Ireland’s Guinness Six Nations clash with France on Saturday, a battle of the top two ranked sides in the world.

"It doesn't matter what... you always have to pay more attention to your attacking side because there's more things that have to gel together and be in sync for it to flow.

"But your defence is your character, isn't it? It wasn't perfect last week but we found a way to keep them out and I think that shows a lot about our character, last week's performance."

Rugby league blood runs in Farrell’s veins.

He was a late convert to union but after achieving all there was to achieve with Wigan, he jumped ship to union. He was not alone.

Shaun Edwards, a former team-mate, now runs the rule over France’s line.

Kevin Sinfield, Super League’s top point scorer, has recently been appointed as England’s stopper-in-chief.

Another former Wigan Warrior pal of Farrell, Mike Forshaw, is the defence coach with Wales.

Farrell appreciates the query about why so many former league legends have become so prominent in the other code.

"It’s a good question because there's something in water there, isn't there," says Farrell, who came on board with Ireland under Joe Schmidt as defence coach and has twice toured in the same role with the Lions.

"There’s a theme that goes with that. You have to look deep into it to try and understand it.

"I think defensive formats in rugby league have been a must for years and years and I think rugby union going professional a little bit later than that [is one reason].

"I