Ireland head coach Andy Farrell will once again be put in the semi-awkward spot of coaching his side against his son Owen, who starts at 10 for England this evening.
Much was made midweek of Andy Farrell bringing his grandkids (Owen's children) to Ireland training, and the funny situation the pair often find themselves in.
Given that Farrell has been in the Irish setup for man years now, he is now an adopted son, and Rob Kearney was on Virgin TV, explaining how his approach to coaching against Owen has changed over the years.
Two very different coaches that I had an experience with. When Andy first came into the squad and we would discuss Owen in team meetings and some of the reviews and there was times when he would step out of the room.
And we, as players, we were always very conscious when we were talking about Owen, you'd be looking around where's dad?
Fast forward to 2018, Grand Slam game in Twickenham and we're in the team hotel on the way to the match and Owen comes up on the screen and then Andy stops it and he goes, 'when you get your hands on Owen today', I won't repeat fully what he said, but he said it with such emotion and everyone in the room just went well if he can talk about his son like that, that's how much this performance means to him.
That's how much he wants us to win today.
Andy Farrell Takes On His Son Once Again Today
Rob Kearney:
"When Andy came into the squad and we would discuss Owen in meetings, there were times where he'd step out of the room.
"Fast forward to 2018 Grand Slam game. Owen came up on the screen, Andy stops it and goes 'when you get your hands on Owen today...#IREvENG pic.twitter.com/CdSpCUe1Er— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) March 18, 2023
READ HERE: Owen Farrell Was Surprised To Learn That His Son Had Attended Ireland Captain's Run
"And what a time to do it a few hours before a Grand Slam game against England at Twickenham," continued Kearney.
"It was, it was one of those moments where, you know, hairs stand up.
"And he [used to] stepped out of the room [when Owen was being discussed] and it was probably awkward for him, but it was awkward for us as players because it was awkward for Joe [Schmidt] because Joe would be highlighting some of Owen's weaknesses in front of his dad.
"It was all just very weird. And then, you know, that moment that I spoke about was it was, it was a surreal situation, it really was."
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