Andy Farrell addresses online abuse as ex-Ireland star ‘staggered’ by hate
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell speaking with scrum-half Conor Murray, who has received online abuse.
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell admits that he is aware of the online abuse aimed at some members of his team in the wake of their defeat to England.
The Irishmen saw their Grand Slam dreams dashed following a narrow 23-22 defeat to the Red Rose last weekend.
However, they are heavy favourites for the Six Nations title and will become back-to-back winners if they overcome Scotland at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.
Remarkable recent success
Despite all that Ireland have achieved over the past few years, including a historic series win in New Zealand and the 2023 Grand Slam, individuals were still subjected to hateful social media posts, with Conor Murray among those to be targeted.
Former Ireland wing Andrew Conway called it “staggering” and that a “serious line’s been crossed.”
“Everyone would be lying if they said they hadn’t (been aware of it),” Farrell told reporters.
“But that’s been the way of the world for some time now, hasn’t it, really, in regards to social media, etc?
“We’ve battened down the hatches as far as our concentration on what we need to do to improve our performance and make sure that we’re the best of ourselves.
“And come Tuesday afternoon after the training session and a big session on Wednesday as well, it seems to be that the focus is right where it should be.”
It is not the first time Farrell has spoken about online abuse after his son, Owen, was subjected to it following a Rugby World Cup warm-up last year.
In fact, the 32-year-old has continually been targeted by trolls during his career, and Ireland’s head coach hopes that changes can be made to social media, although he fears that it won’t happen “any time soon”.
“It’s one loss and the bounce of a ball, an interpretation here and there,” he said.
“But that’s the way of the world; you’ve got to roll with the punches as far as that’s concerned because we’ve all talked about it, we’ve all discussed it at length, certainly in this room (referring to Owen).
“It’s not for changing any time soon. Hopefully, it will do, though.”
Scotland clash
Farrell’s focus has now turned to their final clash of the Six Nations against Scotland, where a win will confirm the title.
The head coach has named an unchanged XV with Calvin Nash included, despite the wing being forced off with a head injury against England.
“If you’re in the inner circle and you understand the process that these players have to go through now, you would thoroughly back that process,” Farrell said.
“One, he has gone through it with flying colours, and he never looked like failing for one second. And two, the process, I think, is very sound.
“He passed the three stages that he had to go (through). He trained fully yesterday without doing contact within the session but had to do contact after the session.
“(He) passed that with flying colours, no problem whatsoever. He had to see an independent doctor – if it’s a seven-day turnaround, you have to do that, and he passed that with flying colours as well.
“You trust the experts on this.”
