Andy Farrell and his Ireland side continued their perfect start to their Rugby World Cup campaign last night, securing a relatively comfortable 59-16 win over Tonga in Nantes.
Despite starting a very strong team, Farrell will arguably feel vindicated as Wales and France struggled with rotated sides in their second pool games.
Johnny Sexton came off at the break along with the front row, having became Ireland's record all-time points scorer, surpassing Ronan O'Gara.
Farrell will know that Ireland will have to up their game next week when they take on reigning world champions South Africa at the Stade de France in Paris.
They will likely be doing so without the option of using Finlay Bealham who appears to be the only casualty from last night's game.
The Connacht prop had replaced Tadhg Furlong at the interval but was forced to go for a head injury assessment (HIA) after less than ten minutes on the field.
Furlong returned and Beadhlam failed to reemerge to play any further part.
With Bealham failing his HIA, protocol usually means that there is a minimum of seven days before he can fully return to action, however as Hugh Cahill pointed out on RTÉ's match commentary he could be out for twelve days.
Good comment from @hughcahill7 on @RTErugby comms, calling out that Finlay Bealham’s failed HIA means he could be out for “12 days”.
Changing the default reaction from “he still might be back next week” to “he could well be out for 10-12 days” is a good thing.#RWC2023 #IREvTGA— Andy McGeady (@andymcgeady) September 16, 2023
The 31-year-old now faces a serious race against time to be fit with Tom O'Toole likely to deputise in his absence.
Andy Farrell puts Tadhg Furlong worries to bed
There is concern that Furlong having to play close to eighty minutes will have taken its toll on the Wexford man but speaking to Clare McNamara after the match, Andy Farrell was quick to quash this.
“It will be good for Tadhg, he’ll be fine," the Ireland boss said.
"Finlay is in good spirits, he’ll go through the protocols tomorrow."
A happy Andy Farrell is satisfied with where Ireland are, but acknowledges they will need to go up a level when they face the Sprinboks next week #RWC2023 #RTErugby pic.twitter.com/9KfBLmc8o7
— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) September 16, 2023
As for next week's challenge Farrell said his Irish side would "relish" it.
"We know the task at hand, we’re playing against a fantastic side in South Africa.
"It’s a great week, that’s what you want. That’s what World Cup’s are all about, rolling into weeks like this.
"We’re two from two, building nicely but it’s a bit of a different week, a special week. It’s something that we’ll relish.”
South Africa play their second game this afternoon against Romania in Bordeaux having made 14 changes.
SEE ALSO: Brian O'Driscoll Was Quick To Serve Ireland Timely Warning After Tonga Hammering
