ANDY FARRELL believes Ireland’s bench press can lift Ireland to even greater moments.
The Six Nations leaders face England at Twickenham on Saturday week. Ireland beat Wales 31-7 on Saturday with their power-packed replacements key.
Head coach Farrell said: “They’re the guys that added to the performance.”
Ireland lost their way after half-time but two late tries helped them make it three bonus-point wins out of three.
And the introduction of five forwards — Jack Conan, Oli Jager, Rónan Kelleher, James Ryan and Ryan Baird — helped turn the tide back Ireland’s way.
Farrell admitted that being able to pack a punch off the bench — he again opted for a 6-2 split, with Cian Healy also available — is a huge advantage.
He said: “It’s always based on whether they’re going to add to the performance. You look at Tadhg (Furlong) has not played minutes, Pete (O’Mahony) has not played many minutes, so all these type of things add to your decision making. Jack Conan is playing on the bench and I know he started last time against Italy, but he is in tremendous form.
“So it’s not as though being on the bench for us any more is about starters and substitutions that didn’t make the starting team.”
That power throughout the squad gives Ireland something they have lacked on previous visits to Twickenham.
Hailing his men after their latest victory, he said: “Our defence is top drawer, there’s no doubt about that. It has been for quite some time now.
“It was unbelievably fitting that we kept them out because of the fight and want to be able to do that. I thought our defensive shape wasn’t very nice at times but our intent certainly on the line said a lot about how much they love defending for one another.”
