Ireland and Andy Farrell have received a lot of plaudits so far during this year's Six Nations. Earning maximum points against France, Italy and Wales has given Ireland a chance to sew up the Six Nations against England this weekend before the final round of matches.
As much as the players are to be commended for their efforts, the coaching ticket headed up by Andy Farrell has revolutionised this Ireland team.
From winning matches in cagy fashion under Joe Schmidt, Ireland are now one of the best attacking teams on the planet. So far in this championship Ireland have scored 15 tries, more than double any other team.
It certainly seems as though Ireland's style of play is universally respected among rugby fans, something that has spread across to players as well.
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Rugby: England stars open up on what makes Andy Farrell so good
England internationals Ben Youngs and Dan Cole are full of praise when it comes to Andy Farrell. Having played under him when Farrell was England's defence coach from 2012 to 2015, and been on Lions tours when he was defence coach in 2013 and 2017, they know first hand what the 48-year old is like to work with.
Speaking on their podcast For The Love Of Rugby, Youngs spoke about Farrell's innovation and man-management, as well as the prospect of possibly working with him again on the Lions tour next year in Australia.
He's obviously knowledgeable about the game. From seeing Ireland play, I think they've been quite pioneering in the way they play, they've changed the way the game is played in terms of their attacking.
He brings an incredible motivation, belief, the way he talks and addresses his teams, you find yourself captivated by every word and hang onto every word he says.
I'd love to be coached by him again, to sit in a meeting and the motivation and what he brings. To think of what it was then to what it is now, I'm sure he'll gets the best out of that group (British and Irish Lions).
He has a real aura about him Faz, he's a big presence, he's a big man but there's an aura about Faz and certain coaches have that. He's so well respected and he knows his stuff.
It's not just his rugby acumen that has the players who worked under him impressed but his personality as well.
Dan Cole spoke about how being personable as a coach helps get the best out of players.
You can sit down with Faz, have a conversation with him about the world and it's a normal conversation. And for coaches, to be able to maintain that. You're not pals, but the ability of a coach to be relatable on this level but at the same time have the respect, there's a real art to it.
I haven't come across many people in rugby that has that ability to be relatable.
Faz has done it and has got the history to back it up. He's not asking you to do anything he wouldn't do himself. You can trust them.
Andy Farrell has certainly evolved from his time as coach of England to the benefit of Ireland as they look to become the first side to achieve back-to-back Six Nations Grand Slams.
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