Gerry Thornley: Intent the key word as Ireland seek lively response to France setback

Ireland’s display in Paris and Andy Farrell’s harsh verdict of that performance, along with his much-changed selection, have raised the stakes for their Six Nations fixture against Italy at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 2.15pm). This has echoes of an angry Farrell invoking a response, an approach which worked most effectively for the second Test in Durban in the summer of 2024, and in the wake of November’s loss to New Zealand in Chicago. As a result above all, Ireland need to show a heightened intent and also improve their work in the air and on the ground in the scrap for “contestables”. Having stewed on...