"We believe in the plan" - Andy Farrell backs Ireland's 'huge potential' 18 months from World Cup

Farrell's side keep their title hopes alive, having bounced back from their opening round defeat to France and built upon their hard-fought second week comeback win over Italy. The men in green now enter the fallow week buoyed by their historic Twickenham triumph, before they host Wales for their round four clash under the Aviva Stadium's Friday night lights. Speaking after the match, Farrell was thrilled to see how his side continues to progress, as the 2027 Rugby World Cup steadily creeps in over the horizon.

"I think the strength of any team should be stronger than any individual's belief of what they think they can get to. That's what a proper team is. So therefore, the potential in the squad is huge. I believe that. You guys [the media] can say it's ageing, or we're missing people, and they're injured, but that doesn't matter neither, as long as we're pushing forward and doing ourselves proud.

"So, therefore, over the next 18 months [before the 2027 RWC], I think there's plenty of lessons that we can learn, and we will do. We have a tough couple of games coming up, a tough summer [Nations Championship], and all that will stand to us. We want our best in 18 months' time."

Having won their past two matches, Ireland now find themselves back in contention for a push towards the Six Nations title. Farrell's men sit at third, behind the undefeated French and a rejuvenated Scotland side, who are two bonus points to the good of the Emerald Islanders.

Ireland have Wales and Scotland left to play, as they host their Celtic cousins in Dublin across the final two rounds. Whilst the Ireland fans expect a strong finish to the campaign, Farrell looked back upon how how the nation's most decorated players have scarily won 'Rugby's Greatest Championship'. There is no denying that fortune favours the French, as Fabien Galthie's men hold the cards to their own destiny to win a second consecutive Six Nations title.

"The squad, it's at where it's at, and it's always going to be at different levels to where it's been in the past. Because that's just life, things move on. It's about the learnings, it's about going forward. I was thinking this morning, the three most respected players that I know in Irish rugby, Johnny Sexton, Drico [Brian O'Driscoll] or Paulie [Paul O'Connell].

"I think Drico played for 15 years and won two (Six Nations). I think Paulie played for 14 years and won three. Johnny played for 13 years in this competition and won four. So have a look at all the ones that they've not won. It's because the group is always transitioning and learning. That's why genuinely I didn't care whether we won or lost [against England], whether we just grew as a group.

"Because we know what we're trying to get to as a group. It doesn't always translate, because people have to feel the ups and downs of international rugby to learn and grow from it. So that's the best part of it today."

This Ireland side has a definitive 'new era' feel to it, as a cohort of international newcomers and returning players make their mark with extended runs in the Six Nations squad. The likes of Munster's Edwin Edogbo and Jeremy Loughman, Connacht back row Cian Prendergast and Ulster's Nick Timoney, Cormac Izuchukwu, Tom O'Toole and Rob Baloucoune are all steadily building upon their cap tallies, as the established Leinster stalwarts are given a run for their jerseys.

Such steady progression across Ireland's squad depth is handing the less experienced stars their first tastes of the world's most decorated stadiums. Farrell backs this as a crucial step forward, as the group all 'believe in the plan' to take Ireland back up to their very best.

"For some of those lads, it's the first time that they've been in this stadium [Twickenham]." Farrell added. "So the example that we need to set to those type of players, to be able to show them the way forward of what international rugby is all about and how you attack it, or how you don't. The first performance against France, is the difference at the top level.

"We believe in the plan. We believe in the players, and we've got good coaches and good staff and all that, but that's not going to win you games. When it matters, you've got to get over yourself and free yourself up and go and attack the game. We're a well-organised team, but our unstructured stuff was pretty impressive [against England], which shows that we were in a good enough place mentally to go and let loose today."

One Ireland player that certainly let loose against England, was scrum half Jamison Gibson-Park. After being dropped to the bench for the second round match against Italy, the Leinster halfback exploded from the substitutes, and guided his men towards the comeback win over the Azzurri.

Gibson-Park spoke in the week about how losing his starting jersey to Craig Casey lit a fire inside of him, with the scrum half promoted back into the starting XV for the trip to Twickenham. Gibson-Park was a cut above the rest in South West London, with one of his finest international performances dutifully awarding him the Player of the Match honour. Speaking on how well the number nine led the charge, Farrell said;

"It [being dropped to the bench] freshens him up and all of that, but you've still got to go out there and do it. He thrives, here's an interesting stat for you - as far as all the GPS scores, I try not to get too carried away with it, but when he came on the field last week [against Italy], our intensity grew by 30 per cent. The ball was quicker by 30 per cent and that's what he does.

"Sometimes it doesn't even look like he's took the ball, but his nous to be able to step out from the ruck and have a look and be that threat. Once he's that threat, everyone's worried about that. He's so strong in and around all that as well. I thought our broken field play, we were at our best when there was a pick-and-go and there was an offload, or when Jamison was scooting doing the short side. It's very pleasing because that's where we need to go."

Casting his view across his squad, Farrell picked out some other top performances from Ireland's biggest ever win at the home of English Rugby.

"Oh, well, Caelan [Doris] was back to his best, Joe McCarthy was outstanding. Josh [van der Flier] was immense in that first half, wasn't he? With his line running and stuff like that. They know they have a responsibility. We said before the game, big-game players turn up and make big-team performances happen. They set great examples.

"For the lads that I just mentioned, for Rob Baloucoune to come here and do that, you know you're on for a good day when he's got a poach and a turnover ball. His belief to take people on, and for Stu [McCloskey] to dominate at this level, it was a joy to see. Those things matter more than scoring tries."