Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has challenged his squad to elevate their performance levels, stating that the team is not yet ready to win next year’s Rugby World Cup. While Ireland has secured six victories in eight Tests during 2026, Farrell noted that losses to France and New Zealand highlighted the work still required to compete for the sport’s top prize in Australia.
Building Toward the World Cup
As Ireland prepares for a demanding November schedule—including matches against South Africa, Argentina, and Fiji, followed by a Nations Championship final at Twickenham—Farrell emphasized the need for continuous improvement. When asked which areas of the game needed development, the coach noted that the team must strive for progress across the board.
“We’re a pretty good team, you know, so recognising that to sort of grow from being a decent team or a good team in the first place is pretty hard to do. You’ve got to have ambition to do that, the hunger to do that,” Farrell told BBC Sport.
Reflecting on the current state of the squad, Farrell admitted that if the team were to board the plane for the World Cup today, he does not believe they are currently at a level to win the tournament. However, he expressed excitement about the challenge of pushing his players beyond their perceived limits over the next 12 months.
Adapting to a Grueling Schedule
Farrell believes that playing four consecutive matches this month will serve as essential preparation for the 2027 World Cup, which will feature a rigorous format with no mid-tournament breaks. He noted that the team must learn to maintain high performance levels week after week in high-stakes environments.
“We’ve got to get better at being more consistent week in, week out, in big games when it really matters,” Farrell explained. He added that the current international season, combined with the structure of the Six Nations, is helping the group build the necessary resilience for the upcoming tournament.
Facing Argentina
Ireland’s November campaign begins on Friday against Argentina at the Aviva Stadium. Although the Pumas have never defeated Ireland in Dublin, Farrell warned that the opposition remains a dangerous side, particularly following the appointment of defense coach Shaun Edwards.
“They’re always unbelievably hard to beat,” Farrell said. “And on any given one-off day they can beat anyone in the world and they’ve proven that time and time again.”
Farrell also noted that Argentina has bolstered its lineup with returning players, creating a competitive, high-quality team for the upcoming fixture. The match will be broadcast live on the BBC Sport website and app, as well as BBC Radio Ulster.
