Six Nations: Andy Farrell says Ireland in good shape but ‘nowhere near’ where they want to be | Rugby Union News

Ireland beat England in their final Six Nations match to win a Grand Slam in Dublin for the first time; Ireland are on a 10-game winning streak, which includes a series win in New Zealand and victories over world champions South Africa and Australia

Andy Farrell insists Ireland’s game is “nowhere near” where he would like it to be as he seeks to keep driving standards on the back of their Grand Slam success.

The world’s No 1 team delivered on pre-tournament expectations by powering to the Six Nations title with an impressive clean sweep, which was sealed by Saturday’s 29-16 win over England in Dublin.

Ireland were never more than six points behind during the championship and combined grit and guile to produce their signature free-flowing rugby amid substantial injury adversity.

Head coach Farrell was pleased with the control his squad displayed during the competition but is striving for improvement moving towards the autumn World Cup in France.

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Sky Sports News’ James Cole analyses Ireland’s historic Six Nations Grand Slam victory and the key questions facing England ahead of the World Cup

“What’s very pleasing is that we’re not a side who just kicks the leather off the ball and just goes for territory the whole time,” he said.

“We’re a side that likes to play some rugby, and territory and possession is pretty important for us and we still find a way how to generate good field position and dominate large parts of games.

“And it’s nice, isn’t it, to have that blend and to put that out on the field and believe in it?

“So our game’s in good shape but it’s nowhere near where we want it to be, so that’s a great spot to be in.”

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell with the Six Nations trophy

Farrell has welcomed setbacks in order to challenge his players and continues to champion a no-excuses mentality.

Hooker Dan Sheehan epitomised that mindset by battling back from the injury he suffered in the round-four win over Scotland to start and score two of Ireland’s four tries against England.

Centre Robbie Henshaw was also on the scoresheet in the victory over Steve Borthwick’s men, having been in danger of missing the entire campaign following wrist surgery.

Prop Tadhg Furlong and scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Parks were also absent for large parts because of injuries, while Finlay Bealham, Tadhg Beirne, Iain Henderson and Garry Ringrose were among those to become sidelined en route to the title.

“There was never a murmur of an excuse,” said Farrell. “We said from day one that we wanted to win the Grand Slam and we went about it as a squad.

“It’s never been perfect but the game is not like that, so the mental strength of our game and large parts of our game are in a good place.

“But like I said, there’s a long way for us to go for us to be at our best which is a great sign.”

Sky Sports News’ James Cole takes a look back on the 2023 Six Nations, assessing the state of play with each side ahead of the World Cup in France later this year…

Johnny Sexton became the leading points-scorer in Six Nations history

Ireland were, quite simply, head and shoulders above the rest in this year’s Six Nations.

The grand slam was a fitting end to an excellent campaign – and, indeed, an excellent 12 months. They’ve now won 10 Tests in a row, which including an historic series win in New Zealand.

Jonny Sexton seems to be getting better with age and may think twice about his decision to retire after the World Cup.

Their back three have all taken their games to another level – James Lowe, Mack Hansen and Hugo Keenan are now a lethal combination. They’ve also got huge strength in depth in their squad to call upon.

And as for head coach Andy Farrell, he has created an environment in which his players can express themselves and thrive.

Hansen said as much this weekend, suggesting the motivational skills of Farrell are unrivalled.

The RFU must be wondering why on earth they let Farrell go in 2016.