Key events
Preamble
About a decade ago I was shopping for clothes in a ubiquitous high street outlet, and while fingering a shirt or two (unconvinced) my attention was drawn to a hetero couple in their late 6os. The woman was picking up exclusively inappropriate garments and passing them to her silver mulleted partner, who appeared to have little say in his appearance, preferring an easy life.
Herein lies the issue about evolving your style and selections; it’s tricky and difficult to feel confident in a new look. You can seek help, of course, but the wrong assistance and you end up as a bloke in his late sixties wearing low rise boot cut jeans and a muscle fit shirt with a diamante dragon design on the back.
Andy Farrell is having a similar issues with his team. He has shopped in the same Dublin boutique for so long that he’s finding it hard to accept some of its stock may not be a great fit these days, and he’s clearly worried a change will make him look ridiculous. He also won’t be advised by anyone, and so he’s left to go with the same cut he’s worn since pre-COVID days because his mirror tells him it still looks good enough. The loss to the All Blacks and the unconvincing seeing off of Japan has added the pressure to change it up, but Andy has resisted – the classics never go out of fashion in Wigan.
Australia are in a similar quandary. Their mixed-to-positive 2025 form has tailed off horribly, including a loss to Italy and their style of play under increasing scrutiny. This is in the context of the longest of goodbyes from Joe Schmidt prior to his handing over to Les Kiss in the not very specific “mid-2026”. Who do the players look to for the ultimate vision?
Expectations are of a convincing Ireland win here, and Farrell will need it to buy more shopping time. Australia wish to avoid flying home embarrassed.
