"I think he showed up very well" - Andy Farrell reveals key Ireland performer from Wales win

Speaking to the media following Ireland's narrow victory over Wales, the Ireland head coach discussed the individual performances that helped see his team to victory. Additionally, the Irish head coach also shared one factor that changed the dynamic of Friday's game.

"Robert Baloucoune, to have a performance like he did last game and then to back it up this week is what you want. You want consistency of a performance at this level and you need that type of experience to be able to prove to yourself that you can do it. Jack, obviously, Jack Connan, he'd be a bit peeved off. So to get his start I think he showed up really well."

"I thought Josh (Van Der Flier) was good coming off the bench, Joe McCarthy was really good coming off the bench so it's good to keep rolling with a few people and gain more experience of consistency and performance at this level."

Coming off missing Ireland's outing at Twickenham, Jack Conan dominated the game, scoring a try,with the most carries out of any player at the Aviva Stadium that night. However, outside of Ireland's regular performers, Ulster's Nick Timoney also had a massive impact on his first Six Nations start. With 11 carries, the Ulster backrower became the 33rd player used by Farrell in this year's championship.

"Well, yeah, you've got to find out about people. We're giving the starts or the chances out to people who deserve it. It just shows that the whole of the squad is hungry to be a part of it. It's nice to feel that the whole squad thinks it's their team you know and they're all trying to contribute to us pushing forward."

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Last night against Wales, Ireland were met by a physically dominant pack that forced them back at every step. With the top six for tackles made being all by Welsh players, Alex Mann led the way with 34 tackles, with Dafydd Jenkins finishing the game with 29 tackles. By the full-time whistle, Steve Tandy's side had amassed over 240 tackles on the night.

"Yeah, because the speed of the ball was nowhere near as quick as it was last week, and the clear and obvious thing they were doing was hitting in two, slowing the ball down, but almost playing up and in from the edge defence there. When we kept going out the back and playing off slow ball, then we're playing into their hands really. We need to be better than that, really."

"I mean, honestly, we'll obviously review it and talk about it but they'll come up with it themselves,we've already talked about it in there anyway so that's what the lads do, they watch the game before we have the meetings anyway so they'll be up to speed and be honest about that."

With Ireland taking on Scotland at home this weekend, Ireland hooker Ronan Kelleher spoke to the media on Friday night following the side's victory over Wales. During this interview, the forward previewed Ireland's upcoming clash with the triple crown on the line.

"Luck is massive for us.  We're obviously really looking forward to next week now. We've obviously put ourselves in a good position to win that Triple Crown. I think there's still potentially a chance of us winning a championship as well, which is always obviously the number one thing. But it's still massive for us as a group."

"Sione and Huw Jones in the centre.  obviously formed a good partnership on that Lions tour. I think there's obviously little intricacies that we kind of took up from them. But I think probably Garry and Bundee in the backs would have picked up more than I would have in that regard."

Reflecting on Friday night's victory over Wales, Kelleher completed the most tackles for Ireland with 17 completed tackles, tied with Caelan Doris. Ireland's scrum also looked significantly improved, with an 80% win rate from 7 attempts. However, the performance was strained in some key handling areas, with Ireland failing to convert in the 22 on multiple occasions.

"I think we were all very aware we were a little bit inaccurate at times,  especially in the 22, at converting that kind of pressure to points. But all credit to them, they obviously defended really well, got some crucial poaches at some crucial times. So overall, we were very happy to get the win."

"I think it's very easy to get lulled into a false sense that you're going to show up and do a job,  which will never, ever be the case, especially in this competition. Every game is so tough, so we were obviously happy getting the bonus point."

Following their bonus point victory, there will be a number of permutations in Ireland's game with Scotland next week. If Ireland were to win, with France losing out to England, then Farrell's side would win the Six Nations. However, if Scotland were to win and France to lose, then it would be Scotland's day in the sun.

Additionally, regardless of the result between England and France, the Triple Crown will be on line on St Patrick's weekend. In what will surely be a blockbuster clash, Ireland will need to give everything they have to potentially turn their tournament into a success following their week one loss.