Donal Lenihan: Six Nations woes could cost Irish players a spot on Farrell’s Lions squad

Farrell’s absence at the helm of the Irish team for this Six Nations campaign was always likely to prove an issue. Despite starting the tournament with three wins, it became very clear after the stuttering performance in victory over the worst Welsh team in living memory that all was not well.

There’s no doubt in my mind that interim head coach Simon Easterby deferred to Farrell for his final say in all matters selection. Influencing things from the outside is one issue, but when things are going pearshaped in the heat of battle, not having Farrell’s vast experience, rugby intellect and inspirational presence on tap in the coaches' box and the dressing room immediately before, at half-time, and after big Irish games has come at a cost.

For a second Six Nations campaign running, Ireland’s performance levels dropped from the high of opening wins, against France in Marseille in 2024 and England in Dublin this time out, to a point where confidence levels within the squad were at polar opposites from that magnificent victory in the south of France to the stuttering performance that saw Ireland fall over the line in Rome.

Having anticipated a backlash after the French defeat, a more cohesive attack with the reintroduction of Mack Hansen, James Lowe, Garry Ringrose and Jack Crowley, coupled with the return to arms of James Ryan and Jack Conan up front, I couldn’t believe the level of ineptitude unfolding before my eyes at the Stadio Olimpico last Saturday.

Bear in mind that if any group of players should be devoid of confidence and lacking in belief, it had to be an Italian side that leaked 18 tries in their previous two outings. Quite how they led 10-7 two minutes before the break on the back of losing three key forwards Dino Lamb, Sebastian Negri and Lorenzo Cannone on the half-hour mark was remarkable.

Given that the replacements for Negri and Cannone both made reckless interventions that changed the course of the game will only add further to the sense of bewilderment that head coach Gonzalo Quesada must have felt on the final whistle.

Negri’s replacement Michele Lamaro conceded the dumbest yellow card of the tournament, and believe me there were a number of serious contenders for that award, when knocking the ball out of Jamison Gibson-Park’s hand on the brink of half-time.

The fact that Dan Sheehan scored off the resultant line out, set up from the penalty, appeared cruel in the extreme from an Italian perspective. When Cannone’s replacement Ross Vintcent flew head first, in a reckless manner, making direct contact with Hugo Keenan’s from the restart of Sheehan’s second try, an immediate red card as opposed to a yellow referral was called for.

Unfortunately referees are under pressure to abdicate responsibility to the TMO these days and, while justified in some cases, the process is taking far too long, killing the momentum of the game. In similar circumstances the likes of Nigel Owens would make the hard calls himself.

The seismic shift in effectiveness of the Italian defence wasn’t compensated for enough by the rank indiscipline that ultimately cost them the game. It’s hard to escape the feeling that, had Italy managed to keep 15 players on the field, they may well have repeated a victory last achieved in 2013. It was that close in the end.

While the IRFU is set to feel the financial pain of finishing third with a reduced prize fund of €2.99m, down €4.7m from the winners' prize that looked a possibility when topping the table after three rounds of action, a number of players look likely to experience similar pain down the track when Farrell announces his Lions touring party next May.

Based on an ill-timed fall-off in performance due, in some instances, to the absence of their highly respected head coach, a number of those same players may now end up failing to make the cut for the tour to Australia at the hand of the self same Farrell.

In some instances, the fact that he knows several of the Irish players are capable of delivering far more than has been the case over the last seven weeks, things may still work out in their favour. With a number of tight calls coming down the track, Farrell faces a difficult balancing act as he selects a group tasked with just one goal in mind - winning a test series against the Wallabies.

Operating in isolation, the role of the Lions head coach could not be more short-term focused. As a squad, you will only be together for the bones of two months. There is no tomorrow. That’s why there’s no jeopardy in selecting a 37-year-old as long as you’re convinced he still has what it takes to contribute to a winning series. If he chooses to retire at the end of the tour, so be it.

What appears certain right now is that Ireland, seen by many as the core contributors to the squad only two months ago, may not have quite as many bodies on the plane. By finishing second and somehow finding a way to defeat eventual champions France, a number of English players have advanced their case for inclusion in the Lions squad. Likewise, the manner in which the Scottish backs carried the fight to the French for long periods last Saturday night has also put them firmly in contention for selection.

The biggest casualty from an Irish perspective may revolve around Farrell’s choice as captain. Right now only two players, Caelan Doris and Maro Itoje, are in the frame for that great honour. I’ve always believed that you really had to experience a Lions tour before being tasked with the responsibility of leading the party.

In 2013 Warren Gatland opted for his young Welsh captain Sam Warburton to lead the party on his first Lions experience. Given that 2005 and 2009 Lions captains, Brian O'Driscoll and Paul O'Connell, were both still on board and guaranteed test selection that was a brave call.

Did Gatland feel that Warburton, an outstanding player, would be a better captain for Wales down the line as a consequence of leading the Lions? Did that influence his final selection given he would resume as Welsh coach after the tour?

In his first season as Ireland captain, will Farrell, even subconsciously, view his decision with green-tinted glasses given that Doris would certainly learn a lot as a captain if thrown in at the deep end on his maiden Lions voyage?

Given what’s transpired over the last two months, I’d be more inclined to opt for Itoje, a proven test Lion in 2017 and 2021. While Eddie Jones felt his personality wasn’t suited to the England captaincy on his watch, Steve Borthwick backed Itoje to replace his Saracens teammate Jamie George for this Six Nations. The classy second row responded with a series of inspired performances.

In my opinion, that swings things in Itoje’s favour, especially given the management team appears likely to be top-heavy with Irish coaches. Doris remains a certain Test starter in my book and may contribute more to the series by not being burdened with additional responsibility at this stage.

The fact that the squad won’t be finalised until May 8th means that a number of Irish contenders must seize the knockout phase of Champions Cup rugby to remind all and sundry what they are capable of. With up to 38 players likely to be included in the final selection, there’s still sufficient time to claim a cherished tour slot.