Farrell says Ireland must improve during World Cup countdown

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell said on 5 November 2026 that his squad must improve before they can harbour realistic aspirations of winning next year's Rugby World Cup, and that he is ready to tackle another challenging journey.

Farrell earlier this year extended his Ireland deal until 2031, and Ireland have won six out of eight Tests in 2026; humbling defeats by France and New Zealand, he said, were reminders of the level they must reach. With world champions South Africa visiting Dublin during a busy November that also includes home matches against Argentina and Fiji and a Nations Championship finals fixture at Twickenham's Allianz Stadium, Farrell said his players are prepared to push themselves in pursuit of the prize in Australia next year.

When asked where his side could improve, Farrell replied: "The obvious thing and the boring thing to say is every area," and added: "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. You've got to have ambition to do that, the hunger to do that."

On whether Ireland are currently at the level required to win the World Cup, Farrell said: "What's coming in 12 months' time, I think if we're honest with ourselves, where we are right now, is that good enough to board the plane believing that 100% we've a chance to win the World Cup? "I don't think so, but that excites me more than anything for what's coming up in the next 12 months. I see a group that's ready for the next challenge which is to ask themselves questions, where it is that they want to go to individually and as a collective. "It's something I think that's very hard to see because we've got to go past a lot of people's ceilings to do that, but if you can't get excited about that then you're in the wrong place."

Farrell warned about the demands of the World Cup schedule, noting: "We know that this is going to be an unbelievably tough start to the international season, but so is the week after and the week after that." He pointed out that "With no traditional mid-tournament fallow week next year, Ireland must win seven games in as many weeks to claim their first World Cup," and argued that playing four games in consecutive weeks this month will help prepare the squad: "It's something we're mindful of because that's the way of the world, certainly within the Six Nations now with the one fallow week and that's even more taxing, but that gets everyone ready for what's coming in 12 months with no break in the World Cup. "That's a bit different for everyone and that's the way it is. We've got to get better at being more consistent week in, week out, in big games when it really matters."

Ireland begin this month's schedule at home to Argentina on Friday, a fixture Farrell stressed would be difficult despite the Pumas' recent form. "They're always unbelievably hard to beat," he said. "And on any given one-off day they can beat anyone in the world and they've proven that time and time again. "I've got a lot of respect for Felipe, I think he's doing a fantastic job and the coaching staff and obviously they will get a bounce from Shaun coming in as well. "[They have] a few players coming back into the squad as well because they were rested over the season so they've got a bit of depth and competition, so this is a top-drawer side coming on Friday night."

Argentina boss Felipe Contepomi has named a strong team, with Toulouse utility back Juan Cruz Mallia's return among 12 changes from September's draw with Australia, and the Pumas have recorded just one win in six in 2026. Casey, Jansen and Timoney start against Argentina.

Ireland's next confirmed fixture is at home to Argentina on Friday 6 November, 20:10 GMT, with live commentary on BBC Radio Ulster and coverage on the BBC Sport website and app.