'Winning matters' - Andy Farrell demanding more from Ireland

If there's one thing we can learn from the South Africans on this tour, it’s that they know how to set the scene at a press conference.

Last week, the Irish coaches and players addressed the assembled media in an exam hall ahead of their first Test (get it?) against the Springboks, and the not-so-subtle messages continued this week at their new training base in Northwood High School in north Durban.

The school library was the venue for Wednesday’s media activity, while above the heads of Simon Easterby and Garry Ringrose read the words of Hungarian biochemist and Nobel prize-winner Albert Szent-Gyorgyi: "Innovation is seeing what everybody has seen and thinking what nobody has thought." We’re awaiting confirmation if he said that before or after Jamie Osborne’s debut at full-back last week.

After naming his side for this Saturday’s second Test on Thursday, Ireland head coach Andy Farrell addressed the media from their team hotel in uMhlanga, around 20 minutes north of Durban, where just a few feet away in the courtyard smoke was billowing from the 'Braai’ that was being laid on for the players and staff that evening.

Farrell was strong in his criticism of his side after last week’s first Test defeat, and when asked on Thursday evening what were the key areas of improvement being looked at in training this week, he gave a frank assessment.

"Plenty, honestly," was the blunt response.

"Honestly, the coals will go out on the barbecue if we keep talking about where we are at from last week.

"I thought we were passive in most areas and maybe you could put that to attack, defence, breakdown, setpiece, all of that. Just needed some intent."

The Ireland head coach added that he’d been just as straight in his delivery with the squad