- England will take on Ireland in the Six Nations at Twickenham on Saturday
- Andy Farrell says his side will not be shocked by England’s defence
- Former South Africa boss Jacques Nienaber manages a number of Irish stars
Andy Farrell said Ireland would not be shocked by England’s defense because so many of its players are already working with a South African World Cup winner in Leinster.
England, who suffered a poor performance after being beaten 30-21 by Scotland on Saturday, have a new defensive structure after Irishman Felix Jones joined the Boks’ staff.
He was South Africa’s attacking coach but has brought to England the defensive system that the country used to win the World Cup in 2019 and 2023.
Jacques Nienaber, who was initially in charge of South Africa’s defense before becoming head coach, now coaches in Ireland at Leinster, where the backbone of the Irish team plays their club rugby.
The next stage of their bid to become the first Six Nations side to achieve back-to-back Grand Slams continues a week against England at Twickenham on Saturday.
Andy Farrell has said Ireland will not be shocked by England’s blitz defense next weekend
England have a new defensive structure after Irishman Felix Jones joined their staff
Jacques Nienaber now coaches in Ireland at Leinster, where the backbone of the Irish team plays their club rugby
“It’s certainly different,” Ireland boss Farrell said of England’s fresh approach. “We know it is South African defense and I know Felix will continually try to put his stamp on its implementation.
‘There will always be teething problems in the beginning, but they will go faster, there is no doubt about that, because that is their philosophy. It’s something we’ve dealt with before and we all know our guys are being coached by the coach who made it up in the first place.”
Scotland routinely breached England’s defenses to record a fourth successive Calcutta Cup success, and Ireland’s powerful attacking play will pose even bigger problems for Steve Borthwick’s men. Farrell’s Ireland recorded a third win in a row with a bonus point against Wales and are already looking streets ahead of their rivals.
“Everyone knows how difficult it is to get to Twickenham,” added former England assistant Farrell. ‘We are certainly looking forward to that. There are areas of our game that we clearly need to improve. That will never, ever be different.
“I guess it won’t be for England either.”