Ireland must step up for World Cup countdown - Farrell

Andy Farrell says Ireland must step up if they want any realistic hope of winning the next Rugby World Cup, and he frames the message around both results and workload. Ireland have won six of eight Tests in 2026, yet heavy losses to France and New Zealand underlined that the standards are still higher than where they are right now. Farrell highlights a November packed with big fixtures: South Africa visit Dublin, followed by home games against Argentina and Fiji, plus a Nations Championship final at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium. With no traditional mid-tournament fallow week next year, he argues Ireland must win seven matches in seven weeks, starting with Friday’s home game versus Argentina.