2026 Six Nations – Ireland 20-13 Italy: We were able to show our support for ourselves – Andy Farrell

Ireland coach Andy Farrell said Saturday’s brave win over Italy in the Six Nations “showed we can back ourselves”.

Farrell’s side started the Six Nations with a humbling defeat to France and trailed Italy by five points at half-time in Dublin.

However, tries from Jack Coonan and Robert Baloconi put them ahead and the Irish defense held on to win 20-13 despite late Italian pressure.

Farrell said the “character” his team showed in the second half was “the bigger picture”.

“We were playing against an Italian team that was never going to leave, and recent history shows us that,” Farrell said.

“They were trying to hit the door at the end there, so the resilience we showed to win the game was great.

“The character that came out to come back and have the courage to play the kind of rugby that we played was very encouraging.”

Farrell said Ireland made “a lot of mistakes” at some points in the match but he was happy with his team’s response to France’s defeat.

Fly-half Sam Prendergast had a difficult afternoon in Dublin and was replaced by Jack Crowley in the 55th minute.

The Munster fly-half scored five points in a strong display off the bench, and Farrell thought Crawley was “outstanding” despite a late penalty that ended the game by going out of play in the goal area when Ireland were chasing down a try with the clock red.

“I actually feel bad for him and he usually doesn’t,” Farrell said.

“It was a bit of a knock, but it wouldn’t be the leitmotif I took from Jack’s style – I thought he was great when he was involved.”

Farrell said he was “delighted” for player of the match Balokoni, who scored what was ultimately the decisive try on his Six Nations debut for Ireland.

“He’s had a few international caps before, but it was off for him when the talent was there for all to see when he pulled on an Ulster shirt,” Farrell added.

“It’s very satisfying for him, and for the rest of us, to see him believe in himself and back himself, not just beating people and trying to score goals, but beating people in the air and his defensive decisions.”