Ireland going from strength to strength - Murray

Published2 hours ago

Ireland began their autumn series of Nations Championship matches by scoring six tries in a comprehensive 42-12 win over Argentina at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Friday night.

Afterwards on the Ireland Rugby Social podcast, BBC Sport NI's Gavin Andrews spoke to Ireland second row Joe McCarthy about his thoughts on the game and then chatted to co-presenter and former Ireland scrum-half Conor Murray to break down the analysis of the home side's performance.

With matches against Fiji and South Africa to follow over the next couple of weeks, there was much to dissect after the win over the Pumas and assess what may be to come for the remainder of November.

You can watch the podcast now on BBC NI YouTube, external or listen on BBC Sounds.

Here are a few highlights of what Murray had to say after Ireland made it three wins from four fixtures in the competition.

On Hugo Keenan, who scored a hat-trick of tries: "Hugo stood out but he's always going to do that. He talks so much on the pitch and makes it way easier for the players around him.

"He's always marshalling the wingers and that kind of back-field system. That's Hugo in a nutshell. He's the ultimate team player.

"He looked incredibly fit, incredibly quick, explosive. He looked back to his best."

On fledgling half-back partnership Sam Prendergast and Craig Casey: "Craig and Sam marshalled the game really well. Not that there were question marks but they were a relatively new combination and it was their first time getting a big Test start together.

"Sam can forget what he's been through, I suppose the rocky start to his international career and the public scrutiny on him.

"He looks like a player who has just soaked it all in and is using it as a weapon now. He looked really sharp. He looks like he has bulked up, which is great to see too.

"There'll be a target on his back, there was already but there definitely will be now as he is such a big influence.

"We know what Craig Casey can do in terms of quick ball and magical moments but now in terms of the control of the game.

"His passing was on the money and his kicking is top notch. The overall control is probably the test that Andy Farrell gave him. He knows what he can do in loose play but in terms of controlling a Test game I thought the half-backs were brilliant."

On an impressive performance by the forwards: "[Tadhg] Furlong went really well, he's always a standard-bearer anyhow and you get top-notch performances from him, but [Andrew] Porter, another player who came back from an extended period out with injury, he's come back and showed what he's about.

"His explosiveness in open play and his fitness, he's like another back row on the field.

"Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Beirne, Joe McCarthy, Ryan Baird, the back row, across the board, all really good. I think Nick Timoney and Josh [van der Flier] are in a real battle as regards that number seven jersey."

Six tries and a big win - but were Ireland ruthless?

• Published16 hours ago

Six tries and a big win - but were Ireland ruthless?

Published16 hours ago

Keenan, Baird and Beirne reflect on win over Argentina

• Published16 hours ago

Keenan, Baird and Beirne reflect on win over Argentina

Published16 hours ago

On strength in depth: "The depth we have now is really impressive. Over a year ago there were a good few injuries and people were worrying, not that there was panic, but wondering, 'where's the depth?' Not that we had no depth, but Andy had to blood a few players quickly.

"Those players are now in the squad and they are pushing lads across the board, pushing the other boys to perform.

"I think Irish rugby is going from strength to strength and it's really impressive to see."

On facing Fiji next week and then South Africa: "They [Ireland] should beat Fiji. I don't think that's getting ahead of ourselves. I think that's where Ireland rugby is at now.

"The lads coming in next week will be thinking they have a chance to perform and will want to be in Andy and the coaches' minds for selection for the South Africa game.

"That's how competitive the squad is. It's a real difference now that the guys coming out against Fiji aren't just saying, 'I'm getting a run out here', but rather, 'I'm actually in the mix here', which is really healthy.

"Lads deserve a chance but Andy will expect the same level of performance. When there are changes, there can be a dip because the combinations change but it's a big week of prep now and those guys will sniff an opportunity that they can stay involved.

"They won't say it but everyone wants to be involved against South Africa.

"There'll still be a core to the team that will be really, really strong, because you respect Fiji and you want some sort of consistency and some sort of momentum."

Related topics

Rugby Union

Irish Rugby

Ireland Rugby Union