Ireland face Argentina in Nations Championship as Farrell targets improvement

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 08:29 · Archive

Ireland play Argentina in the Nations Championship on Friday as head coach Andy Farrell acknowledges his squad must improve before next year's World Cup.

Ireland play Argentina on Friday night in the opening weekend of the Nations Championship. Head coach Andy Farrell said his squad must improve significantly before they can realistically aspire to win next year's Rugby World Cup in Australia.

Ireland have won six of eight Tests in 2026, but suffered defeats to France and New Zealand that Farrell says demonstrated the standard required. With world champions South Africa visiting Dublin later in November, alongside home matches against Fiji, and a Nations Championship finals fixture at Twickenham, Farrell believes his players are ready to push themselves further.

When asked where his side needed to improve, Farrell said: 'The obvious thing and the boring thing to say is every area. We're a pretty good team, you know, so recognising that to sort of grow from being a decent team or a good team in the first place is pretty hard to do.' He added that the challenge ahead excited him, seeing a group ready to ask themselves where they wanted to go individually and collectively.

How it is being reported

• Ireland must step up for World Cup countdown - FarrellIreland head coach Andy Farrell says he is excited by the prospect of another challenging journey as he admits his squad must improve before they can harbour realistic aspirations of winning next year's Rugby World Cup.BBC Sport · 5 Nov, 08:08
• The fifteen Andy Farrell should pick to beat Argentina... and the trusted lieutenant whose form means he should miss out on Ireland's season openerIreland are back in action on Friday with Argentina, their tormentors of World Cups past, providing the opposition on the opening weekend of this Nations Championship campaign.Daily Mail Sport · 3 Nov, 17:18

In this story: Andy Farrell · Argentina · Ireland · New Zealand · South Africa · Australia

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